Date: Tue, 22 Feb 1994 10:46 CST
From: Karla Kay Hangsleben <KHANGSLE%KNOX.BITNET@UICVM.UIC.EDU>
Subject: Re: Freedom rings (specicifically black one)

The black freedom ring is indeed for the lesbians.  This is also derived from
the Holocaust during WWII.  I am currently reading a book entitled "The Pink
Triangle" by Richard Plant.  It is about the Nazi war against the Homosexuals.
The pink triange was used to identify gay men.  It woulds have been found on
the sleeve of the war camp uniform aong with other markings for inmate number,
criminal, member of armed forces escape suspect, and race, just to name a few.

The black triangle was used to identify vagrants and gypsies.  At this time
lesbians were identified as gypsies and therefore were identified with the
black triangle.

I have a complete listing of all markings used during the holocaust if anyone
is interested beyond the homosexual issue.

Karla Kay
khangsle@knox.bitnet