Berlin to mark Nazis' gay victims | BBC

[Ediacara]

Berlin to mark Nazis' gay victims

Germany is to build a memorial for the thousands of homosexual men persecuted or killed by the Nazis.

Parliament agreed to pay $610,000 for a building that will commemorate Nazism's gay victims at a central Berlin site.

Some 50,000 gays were branded criminals and degenerates by the Third Reich and 10,000 to 15,000 went to concentration camps, from which few ever returned.

Germany last year overcame conservative objections to grant a formal pardon to gays convicted under Nazism.

"Homosexual victims of the Nazi regime were mostly shut out of Germany's culture of remembrance in the past. That is now over," said Volker Beck, an MP for the Green Party.

More at the BBC

[Kremer]

1. Very nice!! Yes, gays are people too!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's so sad its taken this long. But better later than never. Doubt we'd do it in this country, since we won't let them marry an all!

[Liberal Veteran]

2. The unfunny thing is that meanwhile, in the land of the free....

...the current powers that be and the so-called good "Christians" of the fundamentalist bent probably agree with Germany's persecution of gays and wouldn't mind a re-enactment of branding us criminals and degenerates. Hell, they pretty much did in their outrage over the overturning of sodomy laws.

[IndianaGreen]

3. When a memorial was proposed for gay Jews that died in Auschwitz

it was opposed by the religious ultra-Orthodox rabble.

Hatred of gays was not confined to the Nazis...

[pistoff democrat]

8. Nor was it confined to the

"ultra-Orthodox rabble"! Find me any group of fundamentalists and I'll find you people who have problem with homosexuality.

What in the world would cause such a message on this good thread?

[Kellanved]

4. took a long time

And all conservative house members voted against the proposal (they were not that uniform when it came to throw out an anti-semite out of their party and parliamentary group - ***holes).

That was to be expected, as they've opposed the pardoning of WWII deserters (a term including conscientious objector and men in exile) and other groups (including gays) last year.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Gman]

6. This is sure to set the RW on its ear

They probably deny that Nazi's persecuted gays. Many already deny the holocaust.

[Endangered Specie]

7. Some germans never change...

"Germany last year overcame conservative objections to grant a formal pardon to gays convicted under Nazism"

And we thought the conservatives here were assholes?

No wonder Germany has laws banning the Nazi party.

[pistoff democrat]

9. It's about time, but it's too little too late!

Kaddish for the Gay people murdered by the Nazis and for those who might have lived through the time but have since died:

Glorified and sanctified be God's great name throughout the world which He has created according to His will. May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days, and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon; and say, Amen.

May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.

Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored, adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us
and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

He who creates peace in His celestial heights, may He create peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.