Homosexuality and Male Bonding in Pre-Nazi Germany - The Youth Movement, the Gay Movement and Male Bonding Before Hitler's Rise: Original Transcripts from "Der Eigene", the First Gay Journal in the World »

This is a landmark publication featuring English translations of selections from the early gay German journal, Der Eigene. This collection, previously scattered and difficult to read in the original German, allows readers direct access to primary source material on the early gay movement. Neglected for years, these articles provide insight into the early gay movement, particularly in its relation to the various political currents in pre-World War II Germany. Simultaneously, the essays are relevant to current discussions and debates in contemporary gay, women’s, and youth movements. Masterly introductory and concluding essays add additional insight by placing the articles in their historical context, discussing their past and current significance, and drawing lessons for the future. Readers of all levels of sophistication will find this anthology a fascinating look at homosexuality in early years.

Booknews

The subtitle: The youth movement, the gay movement, and male bonding before Hitler's rise: original transcripts from Der Eigene, the first gay journal in the world. Twenty articles first published 1899-1931 are presented in sections on opposing the doctors, the aesthetics of the male body, eros and male bonding in society, and political issues and the rise of Nazism. Each section is introduced by a substantial essay. Paper edition (1-56023-008-8), $17.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

• I. General Introduction
• Homosexual Emancipation in Germany Before 1933: Two Traditions
• II. Opposing the Doctors
• Introduction
• The Ethical-Political Significance of Lieblingminne
• Love
• Same-Sex Love, or Lieblingminne: A Word on its Essence and its Significance
• Memoir for the Friends and Contributors of the Scientific Humanitarian Committee in the Name of the Secession of the Scientific Humanitarian Committee
• III. The Aesthetics of the Male Body
• Introduction
• A Word in Advance to the Better Ones
• The Tragedy of Being Different
• The Decline of Eros in the Middle Ages and Its Causes
• Nudity in Art and Life
• Fidis
• IV. Eros and Male Bonding in Society
• Introduction
• Into the Future!
• The Women’s Movement and Male Culture
• Friend-Love as a Cultural Factor: A Word to Germany’s Male Youth
• What We Want
• The Significance of Youth-Love for Our Time
• On the Rearing of the Homosexually Inclined Boy
• V. Political Issues and the Rise of Nazism
• Introduction
• Homosexuality and Reaction
• Eros in the German Youth Movement
• Male and Female Culture: A Casual-Historical View
• Seven Propositions
• Male Heroes and Comrade-Love in War: A Study and Collection of Materials
• Political Criminals: A Word About the Röhm Case
• VI. Epilogue
• Male Bonding and Homosexuality in German Nationalism