The struggle for LGBTQ+ rights has been a long and arduous journey, marked by significant progress and alarming setbacks. A concerning trend in recent years is the resurgence of far-right movements targeting LGBTQ+ communities, echoing the oppressive tactics employed by Nazi Germany. This article delves into the historical persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals under the Nazi regime and draws parallels to contemporary far-right attacks on LGBTQ+ rights.
Historical Context: Nazi Germany’s Persecution of LGBTQ+ Individuals
In Nazi Germany, the regime sought to establish a “Volksgemeinschaft,” or a racially pure national community, which excluded various groups deemed undesirable, including LGBTQ+ individuals. The Nazis intensified the enforcement of Paragraph 175, a provision in the German criminal code that criminalised homosexual acts between men. This led to the arrest of approximately 100,000 men, with around 50,000 convicted and many sent to concentration camps, where they faced brutal treatment and high mortality rates. These men, often forced to wear pink triangles, were subjected to forced labour, medical experiments, and torture. Survival rates for LGBTQ+ individuals in concentration camps were alarmingly low, as they were ostracised not only by guards but also by other prisoners. (encyclopedia.ushmm.org)
Transgender individuals were also targeted. The Institute for Sexual Science in Berlin, founded by Magnus Hirschfeld, was a pioneering centre for transgender research and healthcare. In 1933, the Nazis ransacked the institute, destroying invaluable research and forcing it to close, effectively erasing early advancements in transgender rights and healthcare. Hirschfeld himself, a Jewish gay man, faced persecution and exile. The destruction of the Institute’s archives represents one of the earliest examples of systematic erasure of LGBTQ+ history and scientific progress. (Scientific American)
Other examples of persecution include the dissolution of LGBTQ+ organisations and social spaces. Bars, clubs, and community hubs where LGBTQ+ individuals once found solidarity and safety were shut down, and their patrons were often arrested. (Holocaust Memorial Day Trust) The Gestapo maintained detailed records of suspected LGBTQ+ individuals, fostering a climate of fear and surveillance. (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum) Homosexuality was portrayed as a threat to the German military, leading to the expulsion of LGBTQ+ soldiers and the broader scapegoating of LGBTQ+ communities as undermining societal and national strength. (BBC History)
Lesbian women, though less systematically targeted than gay men, were not exempt from persecution. They faced societal ostracism, forced marriages, and sterilisation under policies aimed at increasing the Aryan birthrate. This persecution extended to any nonconforming behaviour that threatened traditional gender roles, demonstrating the regime’s broader hostility toward diverse expressions of gender and sexuality. (Holocaust Educational Trust)
The Nazi propaganda machine further vilified LGBTQ+ individuals, portraying them as threats to the moral fabric of society and the purity of the Aryan race. Publications and speeches from Nazi leaders described homosexuality as a “degenerate behaviour” that weakened the German state. This demonisation justified the brutal measures taken against LGBTQ+ individuals and normalised their persecution in the eyes of the public. (USHMM)
Modern-Day Far-Right Attacks on LGBTQ+ Rights
Today, far-right movements across the globe are employing rhetoric and policies that undermine LGBTQ+ rights, reminiscent of the Nazi era’s oppressive measures. In the United States, the resurgence of far-right ideologies has led to increased targeting of LGBTQ+ individuals. Notably, during his presidency, Donald Trump implemented policies that rolled back protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, including attempts to ban transgender individuals from military service and rescind federal diversity, equity, and inclusion guidelines. (them.us)
In the United States, the far-right’s attacks on LGBTQ+ rights are not limited to federal policy. Across many state legislatures, bills targeting transgender rights have gained traction. In 2023, for example, over 30 states introduced laws aiming to restrict transgender healthcare, with some laws banning gender-affirming care for minors. These bills seek to undermine transgender individuals’ access to life-saving medical treatments and support, positioning such care as a threat to public safety and societal norms. (American Civil Liberties Union)
In the United Kingdom, the far-right has focused its rhetoric on transgender issues, promoting the narrative that the rights of transgender people undermine those of cisgender women. This has led to a rise in anti-transgender activism, with groups lobbying for the rollback of gender recognition laws and pushing for the exclusion of transgender individuals from single-sex spaces, such as women’s bathrooms or sports. Such rhetoric has fueled a broader culture war, influencing public attitudes and policy proposals that risk curtailing the rights of transgender people.
In Europe, far-right parties have gained traction by promoting anti-LGBTQ+ agendas. For instance, in Poland, the ruling Law and Justice Party has supported municipalities declaring themselves “LGBT-free zones,” fostering an environment of discrimination and hostility. Similarly, Hungary’s government has enacted laws restricting LGBTQ+ rights, including banning the depiction of homosexuality to minors, drawing criticism from human rights organisations. (euronews.com)
In Turkey, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, there has been a marked rise in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, with LGBTQ+ individuals increasingly portrayed as enemies of the state. Pride events in Istanbul have been banned, and activists face increasing scrutiny and arrests. The government’s crackdown on LGBTQ+ activism reflects the broader authoritarian tendencies within Turkey, where minority rights are under constant threat.
In Russia, the government has implemented so-called “gay propaganda” laws, which prohibit the promotion of LGBTQ+ rights or the discussion of LGBTQ+ issues in public spaces. These laws have resulted in an atmosphere of fear and repression, where LGBTQ+ individuals face increased harassment, legal challenges, and violent attacks. Such laws have been used as a tool to justify widespread discrimination and marginalisation, similar to the tactics of exclusion seen during the Nazi era. (Amnesty International)
In Brazil, the far-right government under President Jair Bolsonaro has been openly hostile to LGBTQ+ rights. Bolsonaro’s administration has promoted the idea that LGBTQ+ rights are incompatible with “traditional” Brazilian values. This rhetoric has led to violent anti-LGBTQ+ protests and government-sponsored actions against LGBTQ+ advocacy organisations. Bolsonaro’s reluctance to address or condemn homophobic violence further emboldened hate groups targeting LGBTQ+ communities. (Human Rights Watch)
These examples illustrate a global pattern where far-right movements and political leaders employ similar strategies to those used by the Nazis to undermine LGBTQ+ rights: legal repression, inflammatory propaganda, and the deliberate silencing of LGBTQ+ voices. Whether through legal actions, media campaigns, or direct violence, these attacks reflect the continuing vulnerability of LGBTQ+ communities to far-right ideologies.
Recent Developments in the United States and the United Kingdom
Recent legislative changes in the United States and the United Kingdom have also drawn attention. Upon his inauguration in 2025, President Donald Trump issued several executive orders affecting LGBTQ+ rights. These included a directive mandating that the federal government recognise only two genders based on biological sex, the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion mandates, and restrictions on passport gender marker changes. (nypost.com)
In the UK, while no significant legislative changes affecting LGBTQ+ rights have been introduced, advocacy groups remain vigilant, monitoring for potential policy proposals that could impact LGBTQ+ communities. Transphobic organisations, such as the LGB Alliance and Sex Matters, have actively lobbied for legislative changes that exclude transgender individuals from gender recognition protections. These organisations often frame their arguments as protecting women’s rights, but critics argue that their campaigns perpetuate discrimination and undermine transgender rights. (PinkNews)
Furthermore, concerns have been raised about the perceived bias of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), the UK’s national equality body. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have criticised the EHRC for its approach to transgender issues, alleging that it has shown partiality towards gender-critical perspectives. For example, the EHRC has been accused of supporting measures that make it more difficult for transgender individuals to obtain legal recognition of their gender, prompting calls for its independence to be reviewed. (Trans Safety Network)
Parallels Between Past and Present
The tactics employed by modern far-right movements bear a striking resemblance to those used by the Nazis in their persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals. While the historical context is distinct, the methods of legal suppression, propaganda, cultural erasure, and scapegoating used by the far-right today echo those that enabled the Nazi regime to institutionalise hatred and violence against LGBTQ+ communities. Here are some key parallels:
Legal Suppression and Criminalisation
- Nazi Era: The Nazis criminalised homosexuality under Paragraph 175, leading to the arrest and imprisonment of thousands of men, as well as the eventual death of many in concentration camps. The state-sanctioned violence, including forced labour and medical experiments, was justified by the regime’s belief in maintaining a “racially pure” society.
- Modern-Day: In several countries, far-right governments and lawmakers are introducing laws aimed at criminalising LGBTQ+ expression. For example, laws prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors and restricting LGBTQ+ content in schools seek to control and suppress LGBTQ+ identities. The legal framework used by the Nazis to target LGBTQ+ individuals is mirrored today in the attempts to erase and criminalise transgender rights and education.
Propaganda and Rhetoric
- Nazi Era: The Nazi propaganda machine depicted LGBTQ+ individuals, especially gay men, as dangerous degenerates who posed a threat to the Aryan race. Homosexuality was portrayed as subversive to the strength and purity of the state.
- Modern-Day: Far-right groups use media, social platforms, and political speeches to spread anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, often framing LGBTQ+ rights as a threat to family values, societal order, and children’s welfare. Transgender rights, in particular, are portrayed as an assault on gender norms and social stability. This creates an environment of fear and hostility towards LGBTQ+ individuals.
Erasure of LGBTQ+ Culture and Representation
- Nazi-Era: LGBTQ+ organisations were banned, and LGBTQ+ cultural spaces such as bars, clubs, and meeting points were destroyed. Publications supporting LGBTQ+ rights were seized, and LGBTQ+ cultural contributions were erased from the public record.
- Modern-Day: Similar efforts to erase LGBTQ+ culture are seen in far-right movements, which attempt to ban LGBTQ+ literature, block LGBTQ+ representation in children’s media, and restrict pride events. These movements seek to stifle visibility and silence LGBTQ+ voices, reflecting the Nazi regime’s attempt to erase LGBTQ+ individuals from society.
Scapegoating and Targeting Vulnerable Groups
- Nazi-Era: LGBTQ+ individuals were scapegoated as degenerates and a threat to the purity of the Aryan race. The Nazis used this rhetoric to justify their brutal treatment and to unite the public against a common enemy.
- Modern-Day: LGBTQ+ individuals, especially transgender people, are often scapegoated by far-right groups as the cause of societal decay. In many instances, far-right groups use transgender people as a focal point for broader culture wars, labelling them as dangerous to children and national identity. This helps to rally their base while encouraging hatred and division within society.
Violence and Intimidation
- Nazi-Era: LGBTQ+ individuals were subjected to brutal physical violence, imprisonment, forced labour, and medical experimentation. Many died in concentration camps, while others were executed for their identity.
- Modern-Day: Far-right violence against LGBTQ+ individuals has surged in recent years. Drag queen performances, pride events, and LGBTQ+ public figures are often targets of violence and intimidation. In addition, far-right groups have been responsible for numerous hate crimes, including attacks on LGBTQ+ spaces, reflecting a rise in anti-LGBTQ+ hate motivated by similar rhetoric of dehumanisation.
Militarisation of Anti-LGBTQ+ Rhetoric
- Nazi Era: The Nazis used militaristic rhetoric to portray LGBTQ+ individuals as subversive elements weakening the national military. Homosexuals were portrayed as unfit for service and a threat to the strength of the Wehrmacht.
- Modern-Day: Far-right movements continue to militarise their anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, particularly in relation to transgender individuals. Military service, sports, and spaces such as restrooms have been portrayed as battlefronts in the war for gender and sexual “purity,” with transgender people depicted as a threat to military readiness or national security.
Use of Religious Justifications
- Nazi-Era: While the Nazi regime was officially secular, certain Nazi officials aligned themselves with conservative religious factions to justify their anti-LGBTQ+ stance. Homosexuality was condemned as a sin, and religious propaganda was used to galvanise public support for its criminalisation.
- Modern-Day: Far-right movements today frequently align themselves with conservative religious groups to oppose LGBTQ+ rights. Evangelical Christianity, particularly in the United States, has been a key force in promoting anti-LGBTQ+ laws and rhetoric, citing religious beliefs to argue against same-sex marriage, adoption by LGBTQ+ individuals, and gender-affirming care for transgender minors.
Targeting of Youth
- Nazi Era: The Nazis sought to indoctrinate youth by instilling their ideologies early, including the dehumanisation of LGBTQ+ individuals. The Hitler Youth, for example, promoted Nazi values, including hostility toward homosexuals, who were depicted as unfit for the ideal Aryan society.
- Modern-Day: Far-right groups today target youth with anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, framing LGBTQ+ rights as a threat to children. These groups argue that LGBTQ+ education or visibility “grooms” children for sexualisation or undermines traditional values. Efforts to ban LGBTQ+ content in schools or prevent discussions of LGBTQ+ issues in educational settings reflect this continued pattern of targeting younger generations.
Polarisation and Social Division
- Nazi Era: The Nazis used their persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals as a means to polarise society and create a unified, homogeneous national identity. They portrayed LGBTQ+ people as the “enemy within,” thereby creating a clear division between the “pure” Aryan citizens and the “degenerate” others.
- Modern-Day: Far-right movements utilise LGBTQ+ issues to deepen societal divisions, presenting LGBTQ+ rights as incompatible with national identity, traditional family values, or religious beliefs. This polarisation is often amplified through social media and political rhetoric, which frame the fight for LGBTQ+ rights as a divisive battle between “traditionalists” and the “radical left.”
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The resurgence of far-right attacks on LGBTQ+ rights serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of intolerance and the fragility of hard-won freedoms. Recent developments, such as President Trump’s 2025 executive orders in the United States, highlight the ongoing struggle for recognition and protection. Meanwhile, the UK’s relative stability in LGBTQ+ rights legislation underscores the importance of vigilance in safeguarding these protections. However, the growing influence of transphobic organisations and the controversial role of the EHRC demonstrate the persistent challenges facing LGBTQ+ advocacy.
The striking parallels between the persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals by the Nazis and the modern-day far-right attacks on LGBTQ+ rights underscore the urgency of defending LGBTQ+ freedoms worldwide. As history has shown, the erosion of LGBTQ+ rights can begin with seemingly small legal, social, or cultural shifts. Without vigilance, these incremental changes can lead to the widespread marginalisation and harm of vulnerable communities.
To combat these challenges, it is crucial to recognise and address the parallels between historical and contemporary persecutions. Advocacy and solidarity must be prioritised to resist forces seeking to undermine LGBTQ+ rights worldwide. The role of organisations, governments, and individuals in actively supporting LGBTQ+ communities cannot be overstated. Equally, ensuring the independence and impartiality of bodies like the EHRC is vital to maintaining trust and fairness in the protection of human rights. Only through collective action can we ensure that history does not repeat itself and that the progress made in LGBTQ+ rights is preserved for future generations.