To celebrate the contributions of the LGBTQ community this month, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum presents its forthcoming Facebook Live virtual event, "Pride Month: Defying Nazi Persecution," on Wednesday, June 30, at 9:30 a.m. ET.

The discussion is part of the Museum's innovative and award-winning Stay Connected series. Feel free to cover and/or share with your network of friends/audiences and/or on social media.

Topics that will be discussed:

During the 12-year Nazi reign, more than 100,000 men were arrested often with no proof, under a law that criminalized sex between men. Some were sent to concentration camps and subjected to hard labor, cruelty, and even medical experiments aimed at "curing" them.

The Nazis viewed homosexuality as a vice, and believed that gay men were corrupting other men. In this sense, it was viewed as a threat to creating and preserving a "master race." The law did not extend to women. The Nazis believed that lesbians could be "persuaded or forced" to have children, and thus continue the Aryan "master race."

Homosexuality was decriminalized in the Netherlands in the 1800s. Artist Willem Arondeus was openly gay for most of his life, and proud of his identity. He lived with his partner, Jan Tijssen, for several years until World War II began in 1939. The following year, the Germans invaded the Netherlands, and life changed dramatically for many people, including Jews, artists and the gay community.

It was a daring and dangerous mission. To try to protect the true identities of Jews and resistance fighters hiding behind false ID cards, members of a Dutch resistance group knew they had to destroy the originals. Dressed as policemen, they entered the Amsterdam Registry and set off explosions that burned 800,000 identity cards. This Pride Month, learn about Frieda Belinfante, one of Europe's first female conductors and a Jewish lesbian, and painter Willem Arondeus, the gay leader of this group of artists turned resisters.

Speaker

Klaus Mueller, European Representative, International Archival Programs, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Host

Dr. Edna Friedberg, Historian, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Watch live at facebook.com/holocaustmuseum. You do not need a Facebook account to view our program. After the live broadcast, the recording will be available to watch on demand on the Museum's Facebook page.

More info on the Facebook Live virtual event:

Website Link Here

Wednesday, June 30, 9:30 a.m. ET