To address the local history of queer life, Braunschweig is seeking materials from the LGBTQI+ community. The city stated that the history of queer people has largely not been documented to date, even though they have fought for recognition, rights, and visibility in Braunschweig for decades.
In collaboration between the City of Braunschweig and the Association for Sexual Emancipation, the Working Group on Queer History Braunschweig has been formed. The aim is to build an archive of the local queer history dating back to the end of the Nazi era. They are looking for private documents, photos, letters, diaries, leaflets, posters, club records, newspaper clippings, as well as audio and video recordings. They also welcome tips about meeting places, actions, or political initiatives, as well as eyewitnesses who would like to share their experiences.
Social Affairs Councillor Christina Rentzsch emphasized that many queer life realities had hardly been documented due to fear of persecution or discrimination. “All the more important it is to secure existing knowledge now, before it is lost,” Rentzsch said. The materials would be treated sensitively and contextualized historically, and anonymized upon request. A historian will provide scholarly oversight.
The planned archive is to be housed in Braunschweig’s queer center and, in the long run, will be accessible for education, research, and the public. Interested individuals can contact the city’s LGBTQI+ Coordination Office or the Association for Sexual Emancipation (phone 0531-470-7370 or 0531-61515757). Every memory and every document can contribute.
