Homosexuality in the German Armed Forces : A History of Taboo and Tolerance.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Storkmann, Klaus, author.

Harley, Noah, author.

Series:

De Gruyter Studies in Military History Series

De Gruyter Studies in Military History Series ; v.6

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Homosexuality.

Discrimination.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (518 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Basel/Berlin/Boston : Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2024.

Summary:

This book examines the history of homosexuality in the German Armed Forces, focusing on the Bundeswehr from 1955 to 2000 and extending to the National People’s Army (NVA) of East Germany. It explores the institutional discrimination faced by homosexual soldiers and the professional and personal consequences of their sexual orientation. Drawing from extensive archival research, legal documents, and interviews with over sixty witnesses, the study analyzes policies, disciplinary measures, and societal attitudes toward homosexuality in the military. The author also places the Bundeswehr’s practices in a broader historical and international context. This work highlights the eventual legal and political efforts to address past injustices, including the adoption of a law compensating affected soldiers. The book targets readers interested in military history, LGBTQ+ rights, and institutional reforms. Generated by AI.

Contents:

Foreword

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Contents

Introduction

Historical Preamble: Homosexuality’s Reception in Earlier German Armed Forces

I Unfit to Serve? Evaluating Homosexual Men’s Military Fitness

II Among Comrades: Life as a Homosexual Soldier through the Lens of Individual Memory and Experience

III Illicit Acts? Male Homosexuality in Criminal and Disciplinary Law

IV Unfit to Command?

V Under Suspicion: Homosexuality as a Security Risk

VI A New Millennium – a New Era

VII What of the Others? The Practices of Other Armed Forces

Conclusion

Postscript

Sources and Bibliography

List of Abbreviations

Index Generated by AI.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Part of the metadata in this record was created by AI, based on the text of the resource.

ISBN:

9783111082691

3111082695

OCLC:

1482825997