Queer desire, homophobia and the Holocaust

AN academic striving for a radical, engaged and inclusive history of the Holocaust will talk about the erased story of queer desire when she visits the University of Huddersfield.

Dr Anna Hájková discovered there was little recorded about same-sex desire and relationships in Holocaust history when she set out to research the subject five years ago.

“With missing testimonies, it is as if these people never lived and haven’t left a trace, which for survivors of a genocide is a devastating fate,” she said.

Dr Hájková is passionate about unearthing marginalised voices in her work.

“Also, by queering the Holocaust, we make space for more open and inclusive history.  It deconstructs normative assumptions about society in the camps and ghettos, and allows us a deeper understanding of the society in extremis,” she added.

Dr Hájková’s visit coincides with UK LGBT+ History Month which aims to increase the understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) people, their history, lives and their experiences.

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Tickets for the talk, priced £4 to £6, are available online at http://hud.ac/gh3 or by calling the Centre on 01484 471939
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The talk will explore same-sex desire among Holocaust victims, the reaction of fellow prisoners and its continuing erasure from history records.

“Queer studies has been a field that embraces a difficult history riddled with gaps, failures and difficulties.  In the context of Holocaust history, it allows us to see a different kind of history, one that’s unafraid to include ambivalences and hierarchies,” explained Dr Hájková, associate professor at the University of Warwick, who is writing a book on queer Holocaust history.

Dr Hájková said even in the context of the genocide, her research had been difficult.

“Some people will tell you that queer history is irrelevant and should not be written about.  They believe that homosexuality is dishonourable to the reputation of Holocaust victims,” she added.

The talk, called ‘The lesbians were really very cruel’: queer desire, homophobia and the Holocaust, is at 2pm on Sunday 23 February at the Holocaust Exhibition and Learning Centre, which is run in partnership with the Holocaust Survivors’ Friendship Association.

Director of the Centre Emma King said many people could be unfamiliar with this area of Holocaust history.

“Homosexuality was discriminated against at the time, so we don’t find a lot of documentation or archival resources about it.  A lot of survivors interviewed afterwards would self-censor,” she added.

“I’m really pleased that Anna is able to come to Huddersfield to share her ground-breaking research.”

This programme is supported by a grant from The Association of Jewish Refugees.