• Age: 13 to 17
• Grade: 7 to 12
• Reading age: 13 to 18

A history of the persecution of gay men by the Nazi regime during the Holocaust. When the Nazis came to power in Europe, the lives of homosexuals came to be ruled by fear as raids, arrests, prison sentences and expulsions became the daily reality. When the concentration camps were built, homosexuals were imprisoned along with Jews. The pink triangle, sewn onto prison uniforms, became the symbol of their persecution. This book combines historical research with first-person accounts and individual stories to bring this time to life for readers. From the first chapter, with its story of a young Jewish girl who was rescued from the depths of despair and starvation in the camps by a fellow prisoner who wore the pink triangle, to the last, entitled It Gets Better, which outlines the strides forward in gay rights made in the decades since the war, the feeling of bravery and perseverance in the face of inhuman cruelty shines through.

KEN SETTERINGTON is the author of Mom and Mum are Getting Married and Branded by the Pink Triangle, winner of the Canadian Jewish Book Award for Holocaust Literature and a Stonewall Honor from the American Library Association. He is the former Children and Youth Advocate for the Toronto Public Library and received the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada in 2017 for his work bringing children and literature together. He lives with his partner in Toronto.

Ken Setterington's profile page

"An impassioned and cogent history of the persecution of gay men during the Holocaust. ... a remarkably informative and necessary work. Starred Review."

Kirkus Reviews

"Telling the stories of the men who faced this persecution, the long road back to acceptance, and the story of the pink triangle, Branded by the Pink Triangle is a strong addition to gay studies and history collections, as well as Holocaust studies collections."

The Midwest Book Review

"Many do not know the history of the pink triangle, but this volume not only gives a full history of an incredibly important contemporary symbol of gay culture, it also manages to successfully navigate sensitive and difficult topics with great dexterity and sensitivity. Setterington has managed to bring visibility to a much needed area of history."

CM Magazine

"Branded by the Pink Triangle seamlessly blends factual history with compelling narrative to engage teen readers."

The Deakin Review of Children's Literature

"By weaving the individual experiences into a broader account of the treatment and persecution of homosexuals by the Nazi regime, the author provides a compelling and evocative narrative. ... Period photographs, a lengthy time line, and an extensive bibliography round out the strengths of this thoughtful, informative work."

School Library Journal

"...a rich addition to a library for older readers that covers the Holocaust."

Kiss the Book blog

"At a time when the “It Gets Better” campaign and anti-bullying measures are helping promote the safety and acceptance of LGBT youth, it is necessary to take a sobering look back at what the book’s cover copy describes as “a time when your sexuality could be your death sentence.” ... Offering a detailed timeline of crucial events during this period of history, and including the stories of several gay men who survived the Nazi regime, Setterington’s book is a much needed complement to existing studies of the Holocaust, and vital reading for young and adult readers alike."

Quill & Quire

"Setterington’s slim book, which should be in schools, synagogues and human rights museums everywhere, speaks volumes about a time that few LGBT youths today, contemplating who to take to the prom or the parade, would have knowledge about."

Toronto Star

"Author Ken Setterington sets the record straight—so to speak—about the origin of the pink triangle and why even those in the LGBT community have, at times, overzealously tried to conceal its past."

The Windy City Times

"This book is highly recommended for all collections that have Holocaust materials."

Association of Jewish Libraries Reviews

"Some young readers familiar with the play and movie Bent may be familiar with this aspect of the Holocaust, but most will have no idea of this form of discrimination. Young readers will now know this important piece of Holocaust history and understand the significance of the pink triangle, now the symbol of gay rights, once a mark of shame."

International Reading Association, Reading Today Online

Branded by the Pink Triangle

The undertold history of the persecution of gay men by the Nazi regime during the Holocaust. Mom and Mum are Getting Married! By Ken Setterington

This resource about the Nazi treatment of homosexuals who were imprisoned in Nazi Germany provides adolescents with a historical record of gay men who were harassed and persecuted for their sexual identity, and will help students gain sympathy and understanding of homophobia. The pink triangle has become a symbol for gay rights and Setterington’s book is an important, accessible nonfiction title that presents historical facts, biographical information, and photographs that gives students important insight into the persecution of homosexuals in the holocaust.

An Important Story About Gay Rights

by Sylvia McNicoll

Clear and simple language makes this book a captivating and easy read even though the topic is difficult. Who can believe that homosexuality was a crime till only a few decades ago in Canada and still is punishable by death in many parts of the world. An excellent primer to the history of gay rights, a warning to our future generations about what can happen when a nation topples into near bankruptcy or perhaps aren't careful with our vote.

Moving Tribute

by skfurlotte

I was moved by the stories of the gay men who met a terrible fate in German concentration camps because of their sexual orientation. Everyone should read this book about a largely forgotten group of people.