Magnus Hirschfeld (1868-1935) had two prominent life partners. The first was “Karl Giese” (1898–1938) – who was 30-years his junior. Giese had previously worked as an “Archivist” at the Institute for Sexual Science. In 1931, Hirschfeld met “Li Shiu Tong” (1907-1996) – a 23-year-old medical student – in Shanghai (Li was 49-years younger than Hirschfeld). Li became the partner of Hirschfeld – who referred to him as “Tao Li” (桃李) – meaning “Peach – Plum” (a synonym for “homosexuality” or an “effeminate” man). Hirschfeld, Giese, and Li Zhaotang lived together in Switzerland and France. Apparently, despite living as three-some – these two men sometimes conflicted with one another through jealousy (according to the available literature).
