A History of Sexuality: Chicago and Berlin, 1893-1933

This class begins with sexologist Magnus Hirschfeld's visits to Chicago in 1893 and 1931 to trace a history of homosexual activism, especially in Chicago and Berlin.

In January 1931, the Berlin sexologist, dubbed “the Einstein of Sex,” returned to Chicago to speak at the Dill Pickle Club. Arguing that science was the pathway to justice, Hirschfeld founded the first homosexual rights organization in Berlin in 1897, inspiring gay rights advocates like Henry Gerber, who founded the first US gay rights organization in Chicago in 1924.

In 1928, Hirschfeld co-founded the World League of Sexual Reform that advocated for homosexual rights, sex education, and birth control, among other issues. At his Institute in Berlin, Hirschfeld also oversaw some of the first transgender surgeries as early as 1926. Focused on Chicago and Berlin in the early 20th century, this course provides a historical understanding of today’s LGBTQ movement.

Focused on Chicago and Berlin in the early 20th century, this course provides a historical understanding of today’s LGBTQ movement.

MATERIALS LIST:

• Robert Beachy, Gay Berlin. Vintage Books, 2014. ISBN: 978-0-307-47313-4
• Christopher Isherwood, Goodbye to Berlin. New Directions, 2012. ISBN: 978-0-8112-2024-8

First Reading: Please read Chapter 3 of Gay Berlin, pp. 85-119