Hans Bernhard was intersex and raised as a boy in Wiesbaden. They studied philosophy and economics, gaining a PhD in 1922.
They were active in the peace movement even as a student. Bernhard moved to Berlin around 1925.
From 1930, Hans Bernhard took a public stance against Hitler. They were physically attacked by National Socialists during a public appearance.
Hans Bernhard began to live as a woman in 1933. Due to her political position and because she was classified by the National Socialists as a Jewish “2nd-grade Mischling” (half-breed), she was unable to pursue her goal of a university professorship. She lived a meager life on her savings. In 1940, Bernhard was exempted from the Wehrmacht as intersex.
Bernhard forged contacts to the KPD and supported people persecuted on political and racial grounds. She passed on warnings of imminent arrests and found hiding places for Jews living underground.
After the end of the war, Bernhard changed her first name to Hansi-Marion. She was officially recognized as a victim of fascism and political persecution. She was head of the Charlottenburg adult education school in around 1954/55. She lived in Berlin until her death in 1981.
Exemption from military service for Hans Bernhard, Berlin, issued July 18, 1940. Source: Landesarchiv Berlin, B Rep. 078, BEG Nr. 6453
Confirmation of Hansi-Marion Bernhard’s help from Gerhard Loewy, Berlin, dated January 12, 1948. Source: Landesarchiv Berlin, B Rep. 078, BEG Nr. 6453
