ABSTRACT
The term ‘First Republic’ commonly refers to the period from Czechoslovakia’s Declaration of Independence on 28 October 1918 until the forceful and temporary dissolution of the country in 1939. The Nazi persecution of homosexuals inevitably impacted both countries; however, as Fanel describes, there was a difference between the treatment of homosexuals of German origin and of those who did not belong to this group. The post-war re-establishment of Czechoslovakia and the newly installed Communist regime prompted a thorough overhaul of the country’s legislation. It is also necessary to acknowledge that the apparent blindness of the regime towards the subject of homosexuality sometimes brought unexpected advantages. The military themes of loyal comradeships were inevitably reflected in narratives surrounding the cultural and literary life in Czechoslovakia. Close male friendships were depicted countless times in printed and audio-visual media and were a particularly popular trope in adventure stories aimed at boys and men.
