Branded by the Pink Triangle

Branded by the Pink Triangle documents the persecution of homosexual men in Nazi Germany through survivor accounts and historical records. The book follows their experiences from the early days of the Weimar Republic through World War II and beyond. The text chronicles how the Nazi regime classified, arrested, and imprisoned gay men, forcing them to wear pink triangle badges in concentration camps. Many firsthand stories and testimonies illustrate the systematic discrimination and brutality these prisoners faced. Personal narratives are interwoven with historical context about German society, laws, and cultural attitudes toward homosexuality before, during, and after the Third Reich. The book includes photographs, documents, and other primary sources that support the historical account. This work contributes to Holocaust literature by focusing on a lesser-known victim group while examining broader themes of prejudice, human rights, and the importance of remembering all who suffered under Nazi persecution.

Readers appreciate the book's clear, straightforward presentation of LGBTQ+ history during the Holocaust - a topic many note is often overlooked in historical accounts. Many reviewers mention using it as a teaching resource for middle and high school students. Readers highlight the inclusion of personal stories and photographs that help connect readers to individual experiences. Several teachers and librarians mention the book provides an age-appropriate way to discuss persecution of gay people during WWII. Some readers wanted more depth and detail about individual stories, noting the book maintains a broad historical overview. A few reviews mention the writing can feel dry at times. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (226 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (21 ratings) Sample review quotes: "Important history told in an accessible way" - Goodreads reviewer "Would have benefited from more personal narratives" - Amazon reviewer "Perfect for introducing this topic to students" - School Library Journal review

In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson This nonfiction narrative documents the rise of Nazi Germany through the eyes of the American ambassador and his family in Berlin from 1933-1937.

The Book Thieves by Anders Rydell This work traces the Nazi regime's systematic theft of books from Jewish collections and libraries across Europe, revealing a lesser-known aspect of Holocaust history.

The Pink Triangle: The Nazi War Against Homosexuals by Richard Plant This historical account details the persecution of gay men under Nazi rule through documents, records, and survivor testimonies.

The Men with the Pink Triangle by Heinz Heger This firsthand account from a gay concentration camp survivor presents the experiences of homosexual prisoners in Nazi concentration camps.

Different Drummers: Military Culture and Its Discontents by Tad Tuleja This examination of military persecution of minority groups includes specific focus on LGBTQ+ service members throughout history.

🔹 While many Holocaust records were destroyed, researchers estimate between 5,000 and 15,000 gay men were sent to concentration camps, marked with pink triangles on their uniforms. 🔹 Author Ken Setterington worked as the first Children and Youth Advocate for Library Services at the Toronto Public Library and received the Toronto Arts Award for Writing and Publishing. 🔹 After WWII, many gay prisoners were not recognized as victims of Nazi persecution, and some were even re-imprisoned under Paragraph 175, the German law criminalizing homosexuality. 🔹 The pink triangle has been reclaimed as a symbol of LGBTQ+ rights and pride, first adopted by ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) in the 1980s. 🔹 The book received the Canadian Jewish Book Award for Holocaust Literature and was selected for the American Library Association's Rainbow List of recommended LGBTQ books for young readers.