Question: Why do Lesbians Wear Black Triangles?
Answer: Lesbians began wearing the black triangle as a symbol in remembrance of lesbians killed in Nazi Germany during World War II. Along with Jews, the Nazis rounded up and killed millions of people including homosexuals, gypsies, prostitutes and "anti-socials." Homosexual men were made to wear pink triangles. Gay men today have reclaimed the pink triangle image as a symbol of strength and solidarity. Although there was no specific color patch for lesbians, some believe lesbians were grouped with other "anti-socials" who wore a black triangle. Lesbians today sometimes wear black triangle buttons or jewelry as a symbol of pride and as a way to identify themselves as lesbian.
Note: Many Holocaust scholars do not believe that lesbians were specifically targeted by the Nazis.
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