© Paul Bentzen
© Daria Yemtsova
Propaganda and violence against LGBTIQ people is on the rise, and the media play a key role in the spread of homophobic and transphobic narratives. The project addresses this responsibility in the context of the persecution of queer people under National Socialism, as well as in today’s political realities.
History Unit brings together media professionals and activists with experience in content creation for international workshops devoted to the persecution of queer people under National Socialism and in contemporary contexts. Via activities like visits to former concentration camps, discussions with historians, contemporary witnesses and grassroots activists, the participants will gain awareness and knowledge for subsequent joint journalistic projects.
Using various journalistic formats, the journalistic pieces will explore topics that find little space in the traditional media, e.g. homophobia, discrimination, and queer history. Through including both journalists and activists, History Unit strives to ensure adherence to professional standards as well as deep insight into contemporary queer perspectives. The results will be published in the media of target lands and showcased at public talks.
Beyond the Binary. On trans*, genderqueer and lesbian identities in Poland and Germany from 19th century to present day by Małgorzata Sikora-Tarnowska, Fides Schopp, Leo Paulsen, published on Blog der Republik
New Stories about queer personalities and culture of Eastern and Central Europe from Eastern Queerope
Moving Stories: LGBTQI Ukrainian Refugees. A review of six in-depth interviews with people who left Ukraine because of the war by Oleksandra Kantser, Andrii Shestaliuk, published on Oko.press
Queer Rights and Marriage Equality Under War, Authoritarianism, and Democracy. A study of Ukraine, Belarus, and Estonia, three countries with radically different approaches by Julia Holub, Gleb Veng, published on Gender in Detail
Gaps in Remembrance – Queer Biographies during National Socialism. Queer survivors of Nazi persecution could not speak openly about their experiences due to ongoing state oppression. This German-language audio piece is a search for clues by Kio Weck, published on freie-radios.net
Queerly Beloved: Romani and Sinti Resistance Through the Ages. Six podcast episodes in German explore the history of the Roma and Sinti with a focus on activism, resistance, and the fight for equality and justice by Melania Swiontek Brzezinski, Ann Toma-Toader, published on taz
Queer and Trans People Have Always Been Here. These Are Their Stories. How do the past biographies connect with the experiences of trans people today? by Anton Ambroziak, Marit Blossey, published on Oko.press, Siegessäule
Queer Fronts. Alice Weidel resolves the paradox of being a chairwoman of the queer-hostile AfD by distinguishing between ‘homosexual’ and ‘queer’. Divisions are also opening up within the queer community by Małgorzata Sikora-Tarnowska, Fides Schopp, Leo Paulsen, published on Kontext Wochenzeitung
n-ost is a Berlin-based media NGO with a vision to break national media bubbles, which brings together more than 500 journalists and media from all over EU, Europe’s East and its neighbours to work together.
Cooperation partner: Fundacja Autonomia (Poland), Human Constanta (Belarus, in exile)
Funding country: Belarus, Germany, Poland, Ukraine
Period: February 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025
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