Are You on the Right Side of History?: A Commentary on Gender and Sexuality 

By Sophie Kazmierczak

Historically, those in power who have strongly opposed the queer community, have never been and never will be the good guys. It is no mystery that people with differing sexual identities have existed since the dawn of time. The spectrum of sexuality will continue to grow and evolve along with the people it belongs to.  There have always been bold and brave leaders and advocates for queer people. They have made great strides within the community, by aiding us with documented research defining sexuality, gender, and biological sex. If you’re not familiar with the difference between the three, let me give you a brief but concise definition explaining the differences. 

According to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, sex is the set of biological characteristics that you are born with that has to do with your reproductive organs and sexual anatomy. Sex is the result of the set of chromosomes you are born with, hormone levels, and your gene expression. Gender is a socially constructed concept, rooted in what behaviors and expressions of femininity/masculinity are expected of the sexes. In other words, sex may be finite, but a person’s gender identity can remain fluid and ever-evolving. Where sexuality fits into all of this, as described in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a person’s sexual orientation is directly related to their gender identity. Mainly because it has to do with what gender a person may be romantically or sexually attracted to, which like gender is subject to change. 

Sexologist, Magnus Hirschfeld, was a pioneer in the field of human sexuality studies. During the early 20th century it was widely accepted and believed that homosexuality was the result of mental illness. Since it was thought to be a mental illness, being gay was thought to have “cures” and treatments, which led to the abuse of thousands of queer people. However, Magnus suspected there was more to the phenomenon. His opinions were ahead of his time because he argued that people could be simply born with characteristics that did not fit the strict binary of gender they had set. After witnessing many of his patients succumb to suicide because they could not face their own sexual identity, he wondered if there was more to human sexuality than what was initially thought. In hopes to answer that question, Magnus created a haven for the queer community. On July 6th, 1919, Hirschfeld founded the Institute for Sexual Science in Berlin Germany. Their intended purpose was to be a place of refuge for all people from all walks of life, including trans, intersex, and gay people, as well as advocating for sexual health. It was a place of research, teaching, and healing.

Costume party that was held at the Institute for Sexual Research in Berlin. Magnus Hirschfeld pictured on the right in glasses, holds hands with his boyfriend Karl Giese Circa 1920s.

This period of sexual enlightenment came to a striking halt when the Nazi regime in Germany gained political power. They made homosexuality illegal, and even punishable by death. Sadly, on May 6th, 1933, an organized troop of Nazis stormed the institute and publicly burned over 25,000 books containing vital research on sexuality and gender identity, along with a bronze statue of Hirschfeld. 

One of the first Nazi book burnings destroyed the library at the Institute for Sexual Research in Berlin.

Those in power who seek to erase queer people and their history, who invalidate and demonize queer identities, are bound to the wrong side of history. 

In years to come, we will look back on this era of American history where there is a surplus of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and we will realize the pattern that is repeating. There is a clear line; Who will be added to the history curriculum, who will teach future generations what horrors come from spewing hate, and who will live on as brave leaders who sought acceptance? The remaining question is…are you on the right side of history?