Photo collage from a propaganda magazine

This collage from the Nazi propaganda magazine “Der Notschrei” (distress cry) from 1933 shows photos of various Berlin venues that were classified as “immoral” under Nazi rule. You can also see gender nonconforming people who probably worked as performers at such venues. The collage is intended to scandalize and defame the people depicted. It is subtitled:

“The Berlin police chief Pg. von Levezow has ordered the closure of a number of immoral bars in Berlin”

During Nazi rule, the closure of queer venues such as bars was an instrument for destroying queer networks and subculture. Among other things, those affected were isolated from their social environment. They lost the places where they could find friends, partners and opportunities to live their identities safely and openly. The closure of queer venues also suppressed the practising of queer cultural and art forms, especially performance art.