As one of the first pioneers of transgender rights, Hirschfeld coined the term "transvestite", and founded the Institute for Sexual Research (Institut für Sexualwissenschaft).

• The Institute for Sexual Research, founded in 1919, explored the science of sexuality, building on Hirschfeld's previous campaigns for science-backed LGBT tolerance.

• In 1935, the Nazis burned down the enitre Institute, and destroyed all of its documents.