A Landmark Chronicle of Early Queer Thought and Legal Reform
Quarterly Reports, Volume I, Numbers 1-4 (Volume X of the Annual of Sexual Intermediaries) offers a rare and sweeping view into the intellectual, legal, and cultural landscape of homosexuality in Europe during the early 20th century. Compiled by pioneers such as Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld and Dr. jur. Numa Praetorius (Eugen Wilhelm), this volume gathers critical essays, bibliographies, poetry, and press reactions to the evolving discourse on sexual identity, morality, and criminal law.
Inside, readers will find:
Hirschfeld's poignant poem "Three German Graves in a Distant Land" and his incisive situation report on the state of sexual science.
A comprehensive bibliography of medical, legal, and literary writings on homosexuality from 1908-1909, featuring works by Havelock Ellis, Forel, N cke, and others.
Press coverage and public debate surrounding Paragraph 175, the infamous German law criminalizing male homosexuality.
Case studies of blackmail, suicide, and scandal, revealing the human cost of legal persecution.
Biographical reflections on figures like Walt Whitman, Leonardo da Vinci, and J. B. von Schweitzer, exploring the intersections of genius and queerness.
A groundbreaking essay on male homosexuality in London by J. Leo Pavia, contributing to the moral history of England.
This volume is not only a historical document but a testament to the courage and scholarship of early advocates for sexual minorities. It remains essential reading for historians, legal scholars, and anyone interested in the roots of LGBTQ+ thought.