The Pink Triangle as an Interruptive Symbol

Abstract

The Pink Triangle is a symbol of collective memory and meaning for two very different, but similarly marginalized groups: gay male prisoners held in concentration camps in Nazi Germany, and the modern LGBTQAI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, asexual/allied and intersexed) community. Since the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps in the mid 1940’s, many memorials to the Holocaust, as well as several for the Pink Triangle victims have sprung up around the world. While there are a number of reasons for these memorials, one premise is that these monuments serve as a way to create a collective memory, with the intent that these atrocities will never be repeated. Using qualitative methodology, the purpose of this project was to explore how the LGBTQAI+ community has been “memorialized” from the incidents of Nazi Germany, and how these memorials may serve as “interruptive symbols” to help circumvent hate and oppression of this historically marginalized group. Findings from interviews, observations and photographs revealed three themes as well as information for community consideration. These themes are “Serves as a Reminder”, “Made Me Think” and “Taints It”. The results of this study, through historical insights combined with first-hand memorial observation and interviews, can heighten understanding to highlight resilience and promote hope and healing through government/citizen reconciliation.

Keywords

• pink triangle
• holocaust
• homosexuality
• memorial
• collective memory
• interruptive symbols