In the second half of the 19th century, in the big scientific and classifying drive of that period, the concept of homosexuality had just been defined, giving a name to what had so far not really been named and allowing discrimination. In this difficult context, Ulrichs, a respected doctor, not only was one of the first to come out publically but he actually became one of the first (if not THE first) to advocate “gay rights”. He wrote books and made speeches on the subject. He also supported women’s rights. He is the father of the modern gay liberation movement.
Nicholas Chinardet, London