Author: Wissenschaftlich-Humanitäres Komitee
Alternate names: Scientific-Humanitarian Committee; Berlin Wissenschaftlich-humanitäres Komitee; Berlin Wissenschaftlich-Humanitäres Komitee
Born: 1897
Died: 1933
Bio: The Scientific-Humanitarian Committee (German: *Wissenschaftlich-humanitäres Komitee*, WhK) was founded by Magnus Hirschfeld in Berlin in May 1897, to campaign for social recognition of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and against their legal persecution. It was the first LGBT rights organization in history. The motto of the organization was "*Per scientiam ad justitiam*" ("through science to justice"), and the committee included representatives from various professions. The committee's membership peaked at about 700 people. At its peak, the WhK had branches in approximately 25 cities in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.