Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

The First Queer Activist

Jul 1, 2022

Explore the life and contributions of Carl Heinrich Ulrichs, the first person to articulate the idea of sexuality as an integral part of one's identity. Learn about his groundbreaking advocacy for gay rights in the 19th century and his role as an unsung hero of LGBTQ history. Discover the stories of key individuals advancing queer rights in Germany and challenging the belief of homosexuality as a disease. Uncover Orick's overlooked role in shaping societal views on sexuality. Get insights into the research on Ulrichs and upcoming books about his life and activism.

34:37

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Quick takeaways

Carl Heinrich Ulrichs was the first person to articulate the concept of sexuality as an inherent aspect of one's identity, challenging established norms and advocating for gay rights in the 19th century.

Ulrichs' influential writings and activism initiated a public discourse on homosexuality, leading to societal shifts in attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals and paving the way for the formation of LGBTQ+ communities and the fight for equal rights.

Deep dives

The Revolution of Queer Identity

In this podcast episode, the host explores the historical development of queer identity and its impact on society. The focus is on Carl Heinrich Ulrichs, a figure often overlooked in queer history. Ulrichs, living in the 19th century, was the first person to articulate the concept of sexuality as an inherent aspect of one's identity. He openly identified himself as a man who fancied other men and actively advocated for gay rights, even in a time when homosexuality was heavily stigmatized and persecuted. Ulrichs' influence spread beyond Germany, with his writings inspiring a wave of personal identification and activism across Europe. His work challenged established norms, creating a lasting legacy for the queer community.

Introduction

2min

Unsung Hero: Carl Heinrich Ulrichs

17min

The Networks and Collaborators

4min

Early Queer Rights Movement

5min

Orick's Journey and Legacy

6min

Finding More About Carl Heinrich Ulrichs and the Guest's Research

2min

On 29 August 1867, Karl Heinrich Ulrichs stood in front of the Congress of German Jurists in Munich and urged them not to extend sodomy laws across the soon to be unified Germany.

He was booed off stage, but this stands as the earliest public queer protest in history. Similarly, his definition of his own identity and sexuality serves as one of the first times this was put into words.

So how did Ulrichs define his own sexuality? What is an ‘urning’? And what did Ulrichs believe was behind his attraction to men?

In this episode, Kate is introduced to Ulrichs and his early queer identity by Douglas Pretsell.

*WARNING There are adult themes in this episode*

Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Stuart Beckwith.

Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.

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