Recently I saw something about the pink triangle which I am here to explain, if you do not know what it means. For the LGBTQIA+ community it is a part of our history and even in recent times it was shared by the current president of the United States of America, Donald Trump.
The pink triangle has its roots in history as being used by the Nazis to mark those in concentration camps as gay. It was seen as a negative thing which even in years to come, gay men still had their suffering. Since then, the pink triangle has been reclaimed by the LGBTQIA+ as a symbol of resistance and freedom, similarly how the word 'queer' was reclaimed by the LGBTQIA+ community. One example I remember is watching RuPaul's Drag race UK series 4 and a certain Cheddar Gorgeous came out in one outfit baring resemblence to the pink triangle with a pink triangle over her mouth too.¹
However Trump shared an article with a red no entry sign over the pink triangle. I remember seeing this but it seems Trump has ideas to use the pink triangle. Though not for gay men this time but for army recruitment and banning transgender people from being in the U.S military. Again it is a discriminatory exclusion on transgender people. How are transgender women deemed too strong to compete against cisgender women when they are deemed too weak to be in the army? I wholeheartedly disagree with the harsh treatment that transgender people face and the evidence supports inclusion, not exclusion.
Considering the negative associations of the pink flag it hurts that people would use this to try and cause hatred, division and exclusion. A lot of people are aware of the pink triangle. You might be aware yourself. But how people many now about the black triangle? I know I did not and personally I find it shameful as it feels that a part of LGBTQIA+ history has been erased a little...
The black triangle was used for asocial people. This included queer women and non-binary people. ‘The black triangle category of asocials also included homeless people, alcoholics, prostitutes, and Roma and Sinti people who like Jews were seen by Nazis as racially inferior.’² Just to consider how queer women, non-binary people and others were treated is horrific. I learnt about both of the world wars at school and what the Nazis did. However, I never learnt about this. Since school, I found out about the pink triangle though now I have become aware of the black triangle.
If you did not know about either the pink or black triangles, or both then I am glad you now do. Reminders such as this of what LGBTQIA+ people had to go through in the past are hard. Nevertheless, it is reminders such as this that we are reminded to keep fighting on for justice, equal rights, fair treatment and no discrimination.
Until next time,
Thomas (they/them).
Footnotes:
¹ RuPaul's Drag Race UK, series 4, episode 6, “Strictly Come Snatch Game,” written by Niki Xenophontos, directed by Tony Grech-Smith, aired October 7, 2022, on BBC iPlayer, BBC.
² "RECLAIMING THE PINK TRIANGLE: LGBT+ PEOPLE AND THE HOLOCAUST” Alex, Joseph. Holocaust Centre North, written February 24, 2021, Reclaiming the Pink Triangle: LGBT+ people and the Holocaust · Holocaust Centre North.
Bibliography:
Grech-Smith, Tony, dir. RuPaul's Drag Race UK. Series 4, episode 6, "Strictly Come Snatch Game," Aired October 7, 2022, on BBC iPlayer, BBC.
Joseph, Alex. Holocaust Centre North. "RECLAIMING THE PINK TRIANGLE: LGBT+ PEOPLE AND THE HOLOCAUST.” Written February 24, 2021. Reclaiming the Pink Triangle: LGBT+ people and the Holocaust · Holocaust Centre North.
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