Magnus Hirschfeld- one of the most influential sexologists of the 20th century and an early pioneer of advocacy for transgender and homosexual rights.
Magnus Hirschfeld: The LGBTQ+ Pioneer Who Was Ahead of His Time
When we talk about LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) history, we often focus on the modern era of activism—Pride marches, Stonewall, and legal victories. However, before all of that, there was Magnus Hirschfeld, a German physician and sexologist who dedicated his life to LGBTQ+ rights long before it was widely accepted. He was a trailblazer, a visionary, and quite possibly one of the most important figures in queer history that you’ve never heard of.
Born in 1868, Hirschfeld studied medicine and soon became fascinated by human sexuality. He believed that being LGBTQ+ was not a choice or an illness but a natural part of human diversity—a radical idea at the time. In 1919, he founded the Institute for Sexual Science in Berlin, the world’s first organisation dedicated to LGBTQ+ research, activism, and healthcare. The Institute provided medical consultations, housed one of the first known gender-affirming surgery programs, and was a safe haven for LGBTQ+ people.
[Costume party at the Institute for Sexual Research in Berlin, date and photographer unknown. Magnus Hirschfeld (in glasses) holds hands with his partner, Karl Giese (centre). Credit: Magnus-Hirschfeld-Gesellschaft e.V., Berlin]
Hirschfeld didn’t just work in the shadows—he was a vocal activist. He fought to decriminalise homosexuality in Germany and campaigned for greater rights for gender-diverse people. One of Hirschfeld’s most significant contributions to LGBTQ+ rights was his relentless fight against Paragraph 175 of the German Penal Code, a law that criminalised male homosexuality. Enacted in 1871, this law made sexual acts between men illegal and punishable by imprisonment. At the time, LGBTQ+ individuals faced not only legal consequences but also social ostracisation, blackmail, and violence. Hirschfeld recognised that true equality could not be achieved without changing the law. He became one of the most vocal critics of Paragraph 175, using his scientific research to challenge the idea that homosexuality was unnatural or immoral.
Unfortunately, in 1933, the Nazis raided and destroyed his Institute, burning thousands of books and research materials. Hirschfeld was in exile at the time, and he never saw his life’s work fully restored.
Despite this, his legacy lives on. His pioneering research laid the foundation for modern LGBTQ+ rights and gender studies. During LGBTQ+ History Month, it's important to remember figures like Hirschfeld—people who fought for rights many of us enjoy today. So, next time you see a rainbow flag, consider the trailblazers who made it possible, including Magnus Hirschfeld.
Happy LGBTQ+ History Month! Are you a UHI student looking for LGBTQ community? Join our Pride Network!
References
Magnus Hirschfeld and the Institute for Sexual Science – Science Museum
Magnus Hirschfeld – Holocaust Encyclopaedia
Podcast: Magnus Hirschfeld – Making Gay History
Gay emancipation: the effort to delete paragraph 175 - Luke Goodwin