Event

Paragraph 175

Paragraph 175, takes its name from the German penal codes that criminalized homosexuality. Begun in 1871, the laws stayed in place until 1994. The codes were expanded during the Nazi era with disastrous consequences for the gay men and sometimes lesbians. Beginning in 1933, gay organizations were banned, scholarly books about homosexuality, and sexuality in general, were burned, and homosexuals within the Nazi Party itself were murdered. Ten's of 1,000's of gay men were imprisoned and sent to concentration camps while others were castrated. The documentary includes interviews with 5 of the remaining survivors.

Presented by UNC Asheville, which is hosting the North Carolina debut of the traveling historical exhibition, Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals 1933-1945, produced by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The exhibit will be on view from Feb. 12 - April 7, in Ramsey Library during regular library hours, and is free and open to everyone.

Through reproductions of historic photographs and documents, Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals 1933-1945 examines the Nazi regimes attempt to eradicate homosexuality, which left thousands dead and shattered the lives of many more.

Lectures, film screenings and discussions will complement the exhibition. The keynote lecture, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, in Humanities Lecture Hall, will be given by Miami University Associate Professor of European History Erik Jensen, a specialist in the history of Germany and of gender and sexuality.