_Winkelmanns Letter to the Gestapo

Berlin, January 17, 1940

To the German State Police Inspection VII [C 3]

I apologize for disturbing you with a few lines at this serious time. I hope you still remember me, because about three years ago I visited you as a woman in a suit and you gave me permission to continue wearing it. Afterwards I passed a nerve test in Hannoversche Straße with Prof. Dr. Müller-Hess. After that I wanted to try to live and dress as a woman, which I informed you about.

Unfortunately, life as a woman is made hell for me. Children ask me on the street what I am. If I go out in public somewhere, people point their fingers at me and say I'm a man. I even run the gauntlet at my workplace and people have often wanted to have me arrested on the street.

And that's why I'm asking you to give me permission to put my suit back on so that I can enjoy life again and that I can finally be seen somewhere in public after my working hours, because it's not my fault that I look like this.

I do not harm anyone, I keep myself neutral, I fulfill my obligations and yet I also want to be seen as a human being. But I only have a safe resting place when I'm in men's clothing, and that's why I politely ask you again to give me permission, I'm not a burden to anyone because I do any work.

I was supposed to get a name back then, the abbreviation of the female first name. It was only because I wanted to try to live as a woman that everything went backwards. Please do a favor to a poor soul and make their life a little easier. I am certainly not a political opponent either, I take part in all things because it is my duty as a fellow German.

I look forward to your kind reply with German greetings

Gertrud Winkelmann

At the end of the letter _Winkelmann adds “Heil Hitler!”.