How many gay people died in the holocaust

Most of these men served time in regular prisons, and between 5, and 6, were imprisoned in concentration camps.

The death rate of these prisoners has been estimated at 60 percent, a higher rate than those of other prisoner groups. A smaller number of men were sentenced to death or killed at Nazi euthanasia centres. Overall prospects for gay prisoners were poor: an estimated 65% died, and an unknown, albeit likely disproportionate, number committed suicide. But, tragically, gay Holocaust survivors did not.

Around 90, men were arrested for homosexual activity between and Between 5, and 15, were imprisoned in concentration camps. It is unknown how many perished, but one leading scholar, Ruediger Lautmann, believes the death rate may have been as high as 60 percent. Hundreds of men died as a result of these working conditions. In addition, many were beaten to death not only by guards but also other inmates who identified them by their pink triangles.

Few known victims are still alive but research is beginning to reveal the hidden history of Nazi homophobia and post-war discrimination.

Overall prospects for gay prisoners

An estimated , men who were accused of homosexuality were deported to concentration camps. Most died in the camps, often from exhaustion. Many were castrated and subjected to gruesome medical experiments. Now, every year on January 27th, we remember the victims of Nazism, the impact music had on those suffering in the Holocaust, and the thousands of victims left out of history books. The Nazi regime killed over 6 million Jewish people, but that was not the total extent of their reach.

Instead, they continued to be hunted and ostracized from society until many years later, leading them to be written out of history books and nearly forgotten. At that point in history, gay men were not only victims of the Holocaust, but they were also cast out from society by nearly everyone. But because these men were considered criminals, even after their liberation from the Nazis, they were often sent back to prison and their stories were discarded by still-prejudice people.

They were condemned by society and not acknowledged as true victims of the Holocaust for years, despite their staggering death tolls and long term physical and emotional damage. Gay men in concentration camps were often handpicked for the most brutal hard labor tasks, selected for horrific experiments, sexually assaulted by guards, degraded, sterilized, and castrated.

Instead of sending them to the gas chambers, Nazi guards were ordered to drag out their suffering and as such, they often killed them by way of hard labor. Whether by suicide or the Nazi soldiers. This music brought hope and joy to those suffering from some of the worst war crimes in human history. He would sing in the streets, courtyards, and even factories for food and his neighbors would happily oblige him. Eventually, he was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau and then various other labor camps, where he continued composing songs until he was liberated in To this day, his many published songs continue to inspire Holocaust survivors and everyone else who listens.

Music came in many forms to concentration camps; some were less pleasant than others. A few of those included:. Singing on command. Knowing that many of the prisoners valued music, Nazi guards often used it as a tool to mock them. They forced inmates to sing during marches, after long work days when they were barely conscious, or whenever they wanted entertainment. Official camp orchestras.

It became popular among concentration camps to gather prisoners who were amateur musicians or singers to form an official orchestra commanded by the guards. These ensembles performed a greater variety of music than the on-command singing and the musicians were generally treated better than other inmates. Spontaneous music. When music was initiated by inmates, it took on a more positive connotation.

Performing music for themselves or for other inmates gave them a sense of confidence and reminded them of what their lives were once like while providing them with a diversion from their daily lives. Block performances. After the guards had pulled away from the camps for the night, prisoners were often able to gather together in barracks to perform music and skits.

This also gave them opportunities to secretly gather for political meetings, though someone always stayed on watch. Though the Nazi guards tried to ruin a greatly cherished art form for the prisoners, they did not succeed. Instead, inmates found great solace in songs and performances, choosing to let its promise of better days push them through a seemingly hopeless time.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day, January 27th, marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, which was once the largest Nazi concentration camp. This day is now a reminder to the world of how dangerous hatred, racism, bigotry, and prejudice are to mankind. Additionally, it has empowered minority groups who faced Nazi persecution to stand up for their right to live freely.