English Translation of Early German LGBTI Works

Hi, my name is Michael Lombardi-Nash. I'm a translator. German is the language of the texts of the early LGBTI liberation movement, where most of our goals and strategies were first defined. Historians who speak only English are at a disadvantage, having to rely only on secondary literature. Translations solve the problem. Better understanding and histories are the result.

I want to see these works in my language, not buried and hidden in German. I want to live in a world where these important, even fascinating books are in English. Before I started translating more than 40 years ago, some of the most basic works of transgender and homosexuality studies were still in German and not in English. They are now, because Paul Nash, my lover, supported my work with his hard-earned cash. But he's deceased now. With your help, I can continue his legacy and our shared vision.

WHY THEY HAVEN'T BEEN OR ARE NOT BEING TRANSLATED

Fear of guilt by association and translations not being accepted as bonafide publications in the academic world of "publish or perish" stopped university professors in their tracks.

Two world wars with Germany made everything German, itself not the most popular language, suspect.

Librarians were loathed to acquire books on homosexuality. Difficulty in acquiring original texts, made worse by book bans and burning, is another reason they didn't get translated. Even many Gay people wrongfully considered the books outdated and unimportant.

There's no money in it.

I'm best qualified because I'm an independent scholar and have a doctorate in Gay Studies and have taught the subject. I want to educate and empower the uninformed in our community by doing a job that's never been done before or is not being done: translating original sources from the early LGBTI Movement. I'm retired and could use some help. No donation is too small to make an impact.

Donations help keep the internet lights on ($126/month), the computer running and the printer filled with paper and toner ($98/cartridge), in addition to copyright costs ($65 per book) and purchasing proofs of paperback editions to assure quality ($4 to $8 per proof).

My current long-term project is the English translation of volumes of the Jahrbuch für sexuelle Zwischenstufen (Annual of Sexual Intermediaries), the world's first journal of LGBTI Studies (23 volumes, 11,000+ pages, 1899-1922).

I am also creating paperbacks of works by Karl Heinrich Ulrichs, in preparation for the 200th anniversary of his birth in 2025. I have already translated the works, but they are currently available only as eBooks. Creating paperbacks is the only way to get them into libraries and bookstores. Our rich history shouldn't remain a secret. Our community needs its history to be available.

Donors can receive a free copy (pdf file) of Volume I (1899) or Volume V (1903) of the Annual of Sexual Intermediaries, both of which have already been translated. Just ask. Supporters/Sponsors will receive credit in the current work.

My current work in progress is the translation of Volume II (1900).

Here's what donors have written about my work.

"Really appreciate your help on this [an article by Magnus Hirschfeld]— this translation work is so vital and I’m really grateful you’re doing it!" --Annie Howard in an email

"Really pleased to support your amazing work! Thanks for all you do." -- Maddy Goodall @maddyogoodall

"A worthy endeavour!" -- Rictor Norton on Facebook

"Michael Lombardi-Nash’s translations were my introduction to Magnus Hirschfeld. A complete new edition and translation of the Jahrbuch für sexuelle Zwischenstufen would bring renewed awareness to the international nature of Hirschfeld’s academic and activist networks." --Dr. Kristin Franseen @musicologygeek

Please check out my author page to see the many translations of our early German LGBTI texts https://www.amazon.com/author/lombardi-nash

Here's what people have said over the years

“Thank you for helping my kind by translating the book that put the T in LGBT. It was by reading your wonderful English translation of Hirschfeld’s Die Transvestiten that I became convinced I was on the right track.” ─Phil Illy (2023). Author of Auto Heterosexual: Attracted to Being the Other Sex.

“Your translation work makes such great historical resources accessible to so many people and is always an inspiration to me!” ─Peter Bryant, from personal correspondence (2023).

“Thanks for translating all these materials. I felt I knew a lot about queer history but not knowing certain languages has kept me ignorant of some parts of the history.” ─Richard Reitsma, in a Facebook reply (2023).

“Your contributions to preserving and translating these seminal works on human sexuality are amazing. You have led an adventurous life and have created a wonderful legacy. Thank you!” ─GriftHunter, Tweet (2022) @grifthunter100.

“Had you not translated the works of Karl Heinrich Ulrichs and Magnus Hirschfeld, I would have had no primary sources and never been able to complete my research. Bringing these works into English is one of the most important things in preserving LGBTQIA+ History and making it accessible to English speakers.” ─Tyler Rouse, Stony Brook University (2022), from personal correspondence.

“Your translations have been on my bookshelves for years and years super wonderful translations—also my students use constantly.” ─Laurie Marhoefer (2022) @L_Marhoefer.

“With gratitude for your contributions to this book [Magnus Hirschfeld: Schriftenverzeichnis (Index of Writings)] and admiration for all you have accomplished to recover and record our history.” ─Jim Steakley (2021), from a personally signed copy.

“I'd like to say that I have worked for many project editors doing translations in a variety of commercial situations. No one compares with your humanity and enthusiasm in the slightest. I am deeply grateful for the chance to be involved in the [Alaudae] project.” ─Stephen Cole Farrand (2021), from a Facebook comment.

“Michael Lombardi-Nash has been a mentor to me in the years before I embarked on studying Ulrichs and has helped and encouraged me along the way. As the translator of the only previous English translation of Ulrichs’ works, Michael was the obvious choice to be a translator on this project. His professionalism and expertise I could not praise highly enough. I am especially thankful that he was able to devote so much time to ensuring that the quality of the translation was not compromised.” ─Douglas Pretsell (2020). Author of The Correspondence of Karl Heinrich Ulrichs.

“Reading about all the work you and Paul Nash have been engaged in for many years ─ translating and advocating and educating the public—is truly inspiring.” ─Dana Rubin (2019), personal email; speakingwhilefemale.co

“Your translations are a huge help in my research. Thank you so much for doing them over the years!” ─Daniel A. Brook (2019). Author of The Accident of Color: A Story of Race in Reconstruction.

“There was a substantial improvement in accuracy and thoroughness in historians writing about Ulrichs after the...Lombardi-Nash translations.” ─Douglas Pretsell (2017). “Ulrichs and the Urnings: The Dawn of Sexual Modernism.” (Honors thesis) La Trobe University. Melbourne.

“Important studies...such as translations by Lombardi-Nash have restored Hirschfeld and Ulrichs...to a prime position in...LGBT activism.” ─Tom Butcher (2019). “Karl Heinrich Ulrichs and Magnus Hirschfeld: Queer Patriots?” Retrieved from https://aha.confex.com/aha/2019/webprogram/Session17848.html

“As a native German speaker...translator and historian, I admire the great skill in translating the historic language with the subtle shifts of meaning from 1910 to today. In the many years I have used your translation [of Transvestites], I could always rely on it.” ─Atalanta Ort (2017). Facebook Messenger.

“Having already done a great service by translating several classic German-language works of sexology...Lombardi-Nash delivers another...interesting collection...” ─Clayton Wisnant (2016). Author of Queer Identities and Politics in Germany: A History, 1880–1945.

“Thanks for your wonderful recovery, translation and analysis work that has helped me and many other scholars and activists do our work.” ─Deborah Meem (2008), Professor of Women's Studies, University of Cincinnati (email).

“Dr. Lombardi-Nash presents us with rare and pertinent articles that give insight into the thinking and practices of another era that…are still very important for our understanding of the current view of homosexuality. …Clear and very readable translations.” ─Hubert Kennedy, PhD (2006). The Haworth Press New Book Announcement for Sodomites and Urnings: Homosexual Representations in Classic German Journals.

“Dr. Lombardi-Nash knows his history.” ─Hubert Kennedy (2005). Author of Karl Heinrich Ulrichs: Pioneer of the Modern Gay Movement.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to Lombardi-Nash for his translations.” ─William Percy & John Lauritsen (2002, Nov./Dec.). The Gay & Lesbian Review.

“This excellent translation [of The Homosexuality of Men and Women] by Lombardi-Nash brings Hirschfeld alive.” ─R. W. Smith (2001). Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries, 38(3).

“A few people have persisted, with the necessary energy, in researching the heroic past of a troublesome history which many have sought to hide or diminish or have us forget. If it were not for Michael Lombardi-Nash…we, today, would not even know about the existence of Ulrichs.” ─Massimo Consoli (1999). Bandiera Gay: Il movimento gay in Italia dalle origini al 2000 attraverso l'Archivio, p. 53.

"Michael A. Lombardi-Nash's translation of [The Riddle of Man-Manly Love] is welcome indeed." ─Nancy Meriwether Wingfield (Jan., 1995). Journal of the History of Sexuality, 5(3) pp. 469–471.

“Michael Lombardi-Nash...has done an extremely helpful and careful version. [He] is well versed in German sexological writings, having previously translated the works of Karl Heinrich Ulrichs.” ─Vern Bullough (1991). Introduction to Transvestites: The Erotic Drive to Cross-Dress.

“[Lombardi's] Urania Manuscripts translation series offers some relief to the lack of historicity in the gay movement...and deserves the enthusiasm of all of us.” ─L. Rice (1980). Gay Peoples Union News, 10(1), 13–16.