Memorial for Victims of Homosexual Persecution in the NS Era

On June 5, 2023, a memorial was unveiled in the Resselpark at Karlsplatz. It commemorates the victims of the persecution of homosexuals during the NS period. Homosexuality among adults was punishable in Austria from 1852 until 1971. After the "Anschluss" of Austria to the German Reich in March 1938, the number of men and women persecuted as homosexuals increased. The penalties became significantly harsher. The National Socialist authorities criminalized the accused. They were sent to prison, to a psychiatric clinic, the operating room, or to concentration camps. Alone from Vienna, more than 100 men were deported to concentration camps, less than a third of the persecuted survived. After the liberation of Austria, none of them were recognized as victims of National Socialism. Following a community participation process, an open competition for a "memorial for men and women who were victims of the persecution of homosexuals during the NS period" took place in 2021. Sarah Ortmeyer and Karl Kolbitz won with their design ARCUS - Shadow of a Rainbow.