HOMOSEXUALS
Homosexuality was considered a degenerate form of behaviour in Germany. The German Criminal Code stated that any sexual acts between men aged over 21 were punishable by a prison sentence. However, for this to occur, specific evidence of the act had to be presented. Because of this, many people were charged with homosexual behaviour only to be found not guilty and released. In 1935, the law was changed so that it stated that any 'unnatural sex act' was illegal. In this, 'unnatural' was defined by the Nazi court.
'We must exterminate these people root and branch; the homosexual must be eliminated'
-Joeseph Goebbels, Propaganda Minister
During World War II, experiments were conducted in order to isolate the "gay gene", in order to eradicate homosexuals. After this experimentation, subjects were castrated to prevent them from passing on their homosexuality to the next generation. Lesbians, however were not targeted, as their homosexual behaviour was considered "anti-social" rather than "unnatural".