Trans people during the Weimar Republic could carry police-sanctioned cards identifying themselves as trans. In relation to the time, do you feel this was a good thing or a bad thing? Why?
In one way, this seems to have offered them a degree of protection. On the other hand, it targets and calls attention to them as different in society
At first it was a good thing, but it became a way to identify the Lilac people and round them up. Then it was a very bad thing. Be very careful of placing people in boxes. Those boxes can start out helpful , but become very hurtful.
As soon as I read about the cards, I was worried that they would be misused. A card does not change a viewpoint and someone’s heart to others. I did not like it, but I could see that showing a card protected them from being arrested. But this was only a false hope.
It seemed to me that the cards afforded the trans population protection from being arrested. Legally it protected them, but I don’t think it protected them from the hate or resentment of those in authority. Then, like others have said, it made finding them and imprisoning them very easy as all their vital information was listed on the cards. The cardholders initially felt validated, felt seen, but ultimately the cards were used against them.
The cards just made it easier for the Nazis to find them.
I’m not sure if this was good or bad. Surprising that this was the case in that time period however.
At first I thought it was a good thing for trans people. A layer of protection! But as the story continued, I thought the cards made it easier to identify trans people and not in a positive way. After finally finishing the book, I thought maybe the author wanted us to debate the issue if these cards are a negative or positive.
It helped me to learn that it wasn’t just the cards alone that were handed out, it went along with a broader effort of police training and sensitivity that was provided by the Institute. I would like to learn more about the training that was provided.
1 Like
Could that have been the intention all along? “Let’s keep an eye on this group” sort of thing.It sure made it easier to find them. What was the point anyway?? If somene was harassing a trans person, did the card make them stop???
The cards did offer a degree of legal protection, but ultimately they led to abuse. One has to wonder whether that was the plan all along.