Vienna plans monument dealing with homosexual persecution of Nazi era
A competition has been launched in Vienna to submit proposals for what a monument dealing with the persecution of homosexuals during the Nazi era might look like. The finished work of art is then to find its place in Resselpark.
This is not the first attempt to bring to life a monument of this kind, not temporary, but permanent. In 2006, the implementation of the winning design failed. In 2022, however, Vienna could receive another special place of remembrance. 
Background
Both the KÖR ("Kunst im öffentlichen Raum Wien") and the WASt are currently calling for a special kind of competition. The idea is to create a memorial for all those who were persecuted for their homosexuality during the period between 1938 and 1945. Many people died at that time, including in the concentration camps of the Nazis. The memorial, should invite you to pause and remember the victims of the past in a dignified way.
At the same time, it is intended to appeal to both young and older generations and to raise awareness even further with regard to this important topic. Another goal: the desire for more understanding. So it would be quite possible that the memorial, whose design has not yet been determined, also invites people to exchange with each other and ideally helps to break down prejudices.
Due to its prominent location in the well-known Ressel Park, it can be assumed that the monument will attract a lot of attention even in everyday life after its unveiling.
The City of Vienna supports the project
The monument and its construction is also directly supported by the City of Vienna, among others. This is not only a statement for more tolerance, but also a financial aspect. In order to realize the project, a total of 300,000 euros was made available. This sum is intended to help ensure that the respective design can ultimately be put into practice.
The fact that a monument on the subject of homosexual persecution during the Nazi era is to be erected in Vienna is not new. The city and those responsible have been dealing with the project for a long time. Unfortunately, a realization in the past already failed in the mid-2000s, because it became apparent that the submitted design could not be implemented. Now, however, the time has finally come. Interested parties still have until mid-January 2022 (January 17, 2022, 3 p.m.) to submit their designs.
Among other things, you can also find a lot of information on the topic on the official pages of the City of Vienna.
A timed selection process
The exact deadlines to be observed in the search for the best design are clearly defined on the pages of "Art in Public Space". The procedure is based on a two-stage selection process, in the context of which questions are also received. In the course of various meetings and examinations, those responsible then gradually approach their final decision.
The search for the monument design is not only addressed to artists, but was designed as an open competition.
How "safe" are monuments for the LGBTQ scene?
This is a comparatively difficult question. Because: in the past, it has unfortunately been shown time and again that memorials dedicated to persecuted homosexual people, for example, are often affected by vandalism. Current examples from Germany also show again and again that the - mostly unknown perpetrators - do not shy away from smearing memorial plaques and the like with paint.
Accordingly, it is to be hoped that the memorial planned for the city of Vienna will develop into what it was intended to be: a reminder of a time that must never be repeated.
By the way, this is the Queer Fountain of Münster.