History Books
What was analysed?
Book series (20 books in total):
- Geschichte und Geschehen (Klett) - GG,
- Forum Geschichte (Cornelsen) - FG,
- Entdecken und Verstehen (Cornelsen) - EV
- Geschichte Plus (Cornelsen) - GP
- Are LGBT people mentioned at some point of historical discourses? (Third Reich or inquisition)
- Is the potential homosexuality of famous historical persons mentioned? (Leonardo Da Vinci, Alexander the Great, Sokrates, Michelangelo or Ludwig II of Bavaria)
- Are the words "sexuality" or "homosexuality" listet in the index of the books?
Book series (20 books in total):
- Geschichte und Geschehen (Klett) - GG,
- Forum Geschichte (Cornelsen) - FG,
- Entdecken und Verstehen (Cornelsen) - EV
- Geschichte Plus (Cornelsen) - GP
Generally speaking, LGBT people are omitted almost completely in history books. Their appearance in world history or their problematic situation at certain times are not discussed.
Only the prosecution of homosexuals during the Third Reich in Germany is mentioned in two of the book series.
GG 5: cf. p.119: „People whose persuasion, ethos or lifestyle (e.g. homosexuals) wasn’t accepted by the national socialists were excluded from the national community and brought into concentration camps.”
FG 4: cf. p.108: „In the files of the concentration camp of Moringen the following reasons for a committal were put on record: (…) homosexuals/so-called ‘Stricherjungen’ (…).”
Only the prosecution of homosexuals during the Third Reich in Germany is mentioned in two of the book series.
GG 5: cf. p.119: „People whose persuasion, ethos or lifestyle (e.g. homosexuals) wasn’t accepted by the national socialists were excluded from the national community and brought into concentration camps.”
FG 4: cf. p.108: „In the files of the concentration camp of Moringen the following reasons for a committal were put on record: (…) homosexuals/so-called ‘Stricherjungen’ (…).”
The books don’t broach the issue of sexuality of famous historical personalities at all. Even though there are long discourses of Alexander the Great or Michelangelo, their (potential) homosexuality is not mentioned.
Interestingly, in every history book the role of women in society is discussed for each historical period. How women were treated and how they fought for equality later on in history is explicitly analysed.
Interestingly, in every history book the role of women in society is discussed for each historical period. How women were treated and how they fought for equality later on in history is explicitly analysed.
While the books GG, FG and EV mention LGBT people at least in one point of history GP does not treat this issue at any point.