Queer Periodicals in the First Czechoslovak Republic
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Rebeka Erdelyiova | Newcastle University
In the early twentieth century, queer individuals across Europe sought ways to connect, share their experiences, and challenge prevailing societal norms. In May 1931, Hlas (The Voice) emerged as a crucial publication in the First Republic of Czechoslovakia, providing queer individuals with a space to articulate their identities and find community at a time when visibility was scarce. Initially titled Hlas sexuální menšiny ('The Voice of a Sexual Minority'), it ran until April 1932.
Between January and April 1932, the periodical was published under a slightly modified name, Hlas: List sexuální menšiny ('The Voice: A Letter for Sexual Minority'). In May 1932, the publication continued under a new title, Nový Hlas: List pro sexuální reformu ('New Voice: A Letter for Sexual Reform'), which was published monthly until 1934. From 1936 to 1937, the periodical reappeared under the same name, Hlas: List pro sexuální reformu ('Voice: A Letter for Sexual Reform'), continuing its focus on advocating for sexual reform. In September 1938, it resurfaced once again as Hlas přírody ('The Voice of Nature').
Despite the changes in name, each version of the publication represented the same periodical, evolving in response to the growing political engagement and demands of the queer community. These relaunches reflected both the shifting social landscape of the First Czechoslovak Republic and the increasing determination of its queer community to assert their presence and advocate for their rights. Censorship loomed over each iteration; authorities occasionally scrutinised Hlas, and concerns over ‘public morality’ meant that the publication had to navigate careful editorial decisions to avoid outright suppression. Despite this, it remained a vital tool for the public expression of queer identities in a largely repressive environment. Its influence extended beyond print: though often overlooked in broader histories of European queer media, Hlas played a key role in fostering a sense of belonging among Czechoslovakia’s queer population. This piece examines the historical context of Hlas, its role in community-building and political resistance, and its place within the wider European queer press of the interwar period.
As the 1930s progressed, Europe witnessed the rise of fascist movements, which brought increased hostility toward marginalised groups, including queer individuals. In Czechoslovakia, the rise of the far-right Sudeten German Party (SdP), led by Konrad Henlein, posed a threat to some of the emerging progressive laws that had supported the society. This political shift, coupled with the growing pressure to conform to more conservative norms, intensified the challenges faced by queer individuals in the country, further complicating their efforts to carve out a visible, affirming public space.
The First Republic of Czechoslovakia, founded in 1918 following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was widely regarded as one of the more progressive nations in Central Europe and the country was home to a flourishing intellectual and cultural scene. This cultural flourishing included figures like the Art Nouveau painter Alfons Mucha (1860–1939); the writer and journalist Karel Čapek (1890–1938), best known for War with the Newts (1936) and R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots, 1920); and the feminist author Hana Gregorová (1885–1958), noted for her short story collection Ženy (Women). However, legal and social attitudes toward homosexuality remained complex. Same-sex relations between men and women were criminalised under Austrian and Hungarian laws inherited by the new state, specifically under Paragraph 129 (§129 písm. b) of the Czechoslovak Penal Code, first introduced in 1852 and not repealed until 1961, which carried penalties of up to five years in prison. While enforcement varied by region, social status, and political climate, prosecutions disproportionately affected individuals from working-class backgrounds, as well as those whose cases attracted public attention. Court cases involving homosexuality often received sensationalised media coverage, reinforcing negative stereotypes and fuelling public prejudice. Despite these challenges, the interwar period also saw the emergence of sexological research that began to challenge traditional views on sexuality.
Hlas was the first known periodical in Czechoslovakia to explicitly cater to queer individuals. Unlike mainstream newspapers that either ignored or vilified queer people, Hlas sought to provide an affirming space where they could express themselves, share their experiences, and engage in discussions about identity, rights, and culture. The periodical was available to subscribers and was also distributed free of charge to parliamentary clubs, ministerial libraries, key political and cultural figures, as well as law enforcement and judicial organisations. Additionally, it was sold at select newsstands and bookstores in Prague, Bratislava, and other major cities. The publication featured a mix of articles, personal letters, literary contributions, and political commentaries. Some pieces aimed to educate readers about scientific and psychological perspectives on homosexuality, often drawing from the works of sexologists like Magnus Hirschfeld (1868 – 1935), a German physician, sexologist, and LGBTQ+ advocate who has since his death been regarded as one of the most influential sexologists of the twentieth century, especially with his focus on transgender people and non-heterosexual individuals. His influence on the periodical was immense, mentions of Hirschfeld in Hlas also played a key role in its preservation. This included an interview with him published in the third volume of Nový Hlas: List pro sexuální reformu in 1932, as well as his Psychobiological Questionnaire published in the fourth volume of Hlas: List sexuální menšiny earlier that same year. The Magnus Hirschfeld Society, one of the few institutions that safeguarded copies of the periodical, finally digitised their collection in the summer of 2023.
Others, on the other hand, used the periodical to share poetry, short stories, and autobiographical reflections, including photographs, that captured the lived realities of queer life in Czechoslovakia. Hlas also published letters from readers, which helped build a sense of community among those who may have otherwise felt isolated. These letters ranged from deeply personal confessions to difficulties of navigating romantic relationships in a conservative society to practical discussions of legal and medical matters. Some readers sought guidance on dealing with police harassment or workplace discrimination, while others used the letters as a means of anonymously expressing emotions they could not safely share elsewhere. In a time when queer people were often forced to hide their identities, Hlas provided an alternative, a space where they could see their lives and struggles reflected in print. By publishing reader letters and personal accounts, Hlas created a network of queer individuals who, though geographically dispersed, could connect through shared experiences. As a result, Hlas emerged as a unique blend of intellectual activism and personal narrative, shaping the queer landscape in Czechoslovakia. This interactive element made Hlas more than just a publication; it became a lifeline for many.
While Hlas was a distinctly Czechoslovak publication, it was part of a larger network of queer media that emerged across Europe in the early twentieth century. It advertised gatherings and cultural events, helping queer individuals find each other in physical spaces as well. This aspect of the periodical mirrored similar efforts in other countries, where queer publications often served as hubs for activism and social organising. It therefore shared similarities with German periodicals like the lesbian Die Freundin (‘The Girlfriend’) founded in 1924 and Der Eigene (‘The Own’), founded in 1896, which also provided platforms for queer voices and fostered community connections. Publications like Der Eigene were often more overtly political, advocating for homosexual rights and legal reform. Hlas, by contrast, focused more on community-building and personal expression rather than direct activism. Nevertheless, it contributed to the broader European queer press by ensuring that queer individuals in Czechoslovakia were not isolated from the intellectual and cultural movements shaping queer discourse elsewhere. Additionally, Hlas shared thematic elements with British publications like the privately circulated feminist gender studies journal Urania, founded in 1916, which challenged gender norms and explored diverse sexual identities. Though not as widely distributed as some of its European counterparts, the existence of Hlas stands as a testament to the transnational nature of queer resistance and self-expression during the interwar period.
Today, as historians explore lost narratives of queer life in Central and Eastern Europe, often referencing digital archives and recent research that highlight Hlas's significance in queer historiography, Hlas stands as an important reminder of the resilience of queer communities in times of legal and social repression. Through its pages, we gain valuable insight into how queer individuals in interwar Czechoslovakia navigated their identities, formed networks of solidarity, and engaged in intellectual discourse that mirrored and contributed to broader European discussions on sexuality and rights. Despite the legal constraints imposed by inherited Austro-Hungarian laws and the societal stigma that framed same-sex attraction as deviant, the contributors and readers of Hlas carved out a space for themselves in print, ensuring that their voices would not be erased. Its legacy lives on in contemporary queer media and activism, demonstrating the enduring importance of creating spaces where queer voices can be heard. Through this legacy, Hlas provides an enduring example of how marginalised communities, in the face of social and legal oppression, have continually sought ways to express themselves and fight for visibility and equality.
Further Reading
Věra Sokolová, Queer Encounters with Communist Power: Non-Heterosexual Lives and the State in Czechoslovakia, 1948-1989 (Karolinum Press, 2021).
Konstantinos Eleftheriadis, Queer Festivals (Amsterdam University Press, 2018).
Jaroslava Hasmanová Marhánková, 'Voices from Silence? Reflections on ‘Coming out’ in Socialist Czechoslovakia', Journal of Homosexuality, 68.13 (2020) pp.2214–33.
Hana Havelkova, & Libora Oates-Indruchová (Eds.), The Politics of Gender Culture under State Socialism: An Expropriated Voice (Routledge, 2014).
Mark Cornwall, 'Exiles of Love?: Uncovering Lesbian Voices in Interwar Czechoslovakia', Journal of Lesbian Studies (2024), pp.1-28.
Rebeka Erdélyiová is a second year PhD student at Newcastle University. She received her MA in History from the same university in 2022, with her dissertation titled, '“The Wickedest Man in the World”?: Evil Figures, Works of Fiction, and the Birth of Occulture'. Her PhD project is an interdisciplinary study of occult communities in fin-de-siècle Britain. She is also a student representative of the European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism.
