Enemies of the State: The Nazi Persecution of LGBTQ+ People

Join us for a thought-provoking and informative multimedia presentation about the German LGBTQ+ community under Nazi rule. This presentation will untangles the complex motivations that convinced Nazi leaders that combating homosexuality was vital to the success of the Third Reich. The result was the destruction of the vibrant LGBTQ+ communities that had emerged during the Weimar years, and the targeting, torture, and M**der of tens of thousands of gay Germans. And while the Holocaust ended with the defeat of Nazi Germany in May 1945, gay survivors soon learned that the era of state sanctioned persecution was not over. The presentation is followed by Q&A and book signing with Dr. Jake Desai-Newsome. 

Dr. Jake Desai-Newsome (he/him) is an award-winning historian, educator, and advocate whose research and resources educate global audiences. By shining a light on the LGBTQ+ past, he seeks to guide learners through a study of history to develop an ethical sense of compassion a commitment to inclusive community building. His debut book, Pink Triangle Legacies: Coming Out in the Shadow of the Holocaust traces the transformation of the pink triangle from a Nazi concentration camp badge into a global symbol of pride. 

Since earning his PhD in History in 2016, Jake continues to publish in academic journals as well as popular outlets like The Washington Post and is often invited as a guest on podcasts, such as Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness. In addition to serving as an advisor on film projects, exhibits, and plays, Jake has been invited by the French, UK, and US governments to speak about the important lessons that LGBTQ+ history has for all of us today. He lives with his husband and son in San Diego. Jake founded the Pink Triangle Legacies Project in 2024. 

Host or Publisher Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center