Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Remembering gay men and Roma victims on Holocaust Memorial Day
As a gay man and researcher with an interest in Gypsy Roma Traveller, and, LGBT issues, I believe it is vital that we remember all victims of The Holocaust.
However, whilst millions of Jewish men women and children were murdered by the Nazis (not forgetting those with disabilities and others that suffered dreadfully) on occasions it can appear to be the case that gay and Roma victims have been somewhat overlooked.
Given the 2021 drama It’s a Sin written by Russell T. Davies with its focus on homophobia during the first decades of HIV/AIDS, and, the more recent showing of Four Lives created by Neil McKay in 2022 underscoring what might yet come to be regarded officially as institutionalised homophobia within the Police during the murders by Stephen Port, I invite you to review the three web sites below.
As a gay man with experience of researching and supporting Gypsy Roma Traveller people across the last two decades it is clear we need to reflect on the importance of challenging not only homophobia but also what is coming to be regarded as ‘anti-gypsyism’ within contemporary society for it is evident that lessons still need to be learned.
Let us not forget.
Be part of the change.
Dr Anthony Donnelly-Drummond
https://www.history.com/news/pink-triangle-nazi-concentration-camps
https://www.hmd.org.uk/learn-about-the-holocaust-and-genocides/nazi-persecution/the-porrajmos/
https://www.coe.int/en/web/roma-and-travellers/anti-gypsyism-/-discrimination
Dr Anthony Drummond
Anthony is a Senior Lecturer in criminology. In 2018 he was awarded a scholarship to attend a Summer School at the CEU in Budapest entitled Romani Identities and Antigypsyism.
