Gad Beck

About the Author

Gad Beck, born in 1949 in Berlin as Gerhardt Schmidt, was a courageous gay Jewish activist and author whose life story embodies resilience amid unimaginable adversity. Growing up in the shadow of the Holocaust, Beck's experiences as a young gay man in post-war Germany fueled his commitment to queer rights and Jewish identity. His memoir, An Underground Life: Memoirs of a Gay Jew in Nazi Berlin (Living Out: Gay and Lesbian Autobiographies), offers a raw, intimate account of navigating love, resistance, and survival during the Nazi era, drawing from his own clandestine encounters and acts of defiance. Beck's writing bridges personal vulnerability with historical testimony, inspiring readers to confront the intersections of sexuality, faith, and oppression. He passed away in 2012, leaving a legacy of bold authenticity that continues to resonate in LGBTQ+ and Holocaust literature.