Magnus Hirschfeld

Magnus Hirschfeld (1868-1935) was a German physician and sexologist, known for his pioneering work in advocating for sexual minorities and the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. He founded the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee in 1897, one of the first organizations to campaign against anti-homosexual laws. Hirschfeld emphasized the importance of understanding human sexuality as variations of nature rather than disorders. He also established the Institute for Sexual Science in Berlin, promoting research on sexuality, gender, and sexual health. His contributions laid foundational groundwork for modern sexology and LGBTQ+ rights, although his work was largely erased by the Nazi regime.