Ever since 1994, the "Monument to the Persecution of Homosexuals" in Frankfurt/Main stands in remembrance of the homosexual men and women who were persecuted by the Nazis 1994. On the initiative of six gay men, the very first monument of its kind in Germany was established and publicly inaugurated on December 11, 1994 in the form of a ceremonial hour held in the city's Paulskirche. On the 10th anniversary of its inauguration, the "Initiative Mahnmal Homosexuellenverfolgung" has developed a comprehensive Web portal, and the monument went online to mark the occasion .

Now, at the www.frankfurter-engel.de site there is a wealth of detailed material available on the monument itself, its political background and its history. The comprehensive range of information offerings also includes an overview of the Nazi persecution of homosexuals and specific persecution campaigns against them in Frankfurt, material on the history of the monument's location, as well as an extensive bibliography. A Web log encourages visitors to exchange opinions, information, and comments, and provides a strong platform for communication.

Between 1990 and 1994, the Initiative worked to gain municipal/political approval for the creation of the monument and to plan the realization of the design put forward by Rosemarie Trockel. The monument finally saw the light of day with the kind support of the City of Frankfurt/Main, the Hessen Cultural Foundation and the Hannchen-Mehrzweck-Stiftung, as well as with donations from countless citizens from throughout Germany.

The core of the monument is Rosemarie Trockel's “injured” angel. As a cast of a 19th -century bronze sculpture the angel cites history; time has left its mark on it. Only at second glance does the viewer discern what Trockel herself has changed: the head was broken off, turned to one side and then placed back on so that a noticeable scar remains. As an androgynous being, the injured angel stands as a symbol for “being different”, and likewise as a symbol of the violence which homosexuals faced during the Third Reich. A circle consisting of four benches, enclosed by four hedges of box trees, creates a sense of intimacy and tranquility, enabling viewers to contemplate the statue and remember the past.

Located in the heart of Frankfurt's downtown and in the midst of the city's gay/lesbian sub-culture, the "Monument to the Persecution of Homosexuals" on what is now Klaus Mann Platz is a public symbol against the past being forgotten. As a "village square" it is also a preferred meeting point for the local community and an expression of the self-confidence with which gays and lesbians live in society today.

More information at: www.frankfurter-engel.de

 

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