Giuseppina Lettieri (Spinnboden), Helmut Metzner (Magnus Hirschfeld Federal Foundation), Birga Meyer (Gay Museum), Karen Nolte (Hannchen Mehrzweck Foundation)

Until the 1990s, “pedo-activist” groups were accepted political allies of the gay and, to some extent, lesbian movements. Although there is a growing willingness within queer communities to come to terms with this disturbing aspect of our history, there has not yet been a comprehensive and in-depth examination of the issue. So far, only a few queer institutions have taken initiatives to address the issue. Even though it is desirable for individual actors to proactively and publicly confront their past, it should not be up to individuals to decide whether projects to come to terms with this history are consistently implemented and receive an appropriate response in the public sphere.

Coming to terms with the trivialization and legitimization of sexual violence against children and young people, which is part of queer history, is an important task for our communities. This is especially true for institutions dedicated to preserving queer history and culture. In this panel, we want to exchange experiences and discuss what responsibilities institutions have and how they can fulfill them. Many of the queer organizations invited to the event did not accept our invitation—which is regrettable, but at the same time underscores the urgency of this discussion.

The event is the opening panel of the conference “Dealing with Resistance: An Update on Queer Reconciliation.” In this conference, organized by the Gay Museum Foundation, those affected, researchers, and multipliers will discuss both completed and ongoing reappraisal projects, as well as the historical connections, political alliances, and common ideological and cultural foundations of “pedo-activism” and homosexual emancipation movements. A special focus will be placed on analyzing motives and strategies that aim to delay, sabotage, or even prevent reappraisal. Together, we will consider how to deal with this resistance – or how to circumvent it.

The conference will take place in a protected space with invited guests and is sponsored by the Independent Commission for the Investigation of Child Sexual Abuse and the Hannchen Mehrzweck Foundation.

Image: Les Grenades