5 Hidden Truths Revealing If Anne Frank Was Bisexual, According To Her Uncensored Diary

Contents
The question of Anne Frank's sexuality has moved from speculation to a largely recognized fact among scholars and modern readers, thanks to the publication of the uncensored "Critical Edition" of *The Diary of a Young Girl*. This edition, which includes passages previously omitted by her father, Otto Frank, and other editors, provides a far more complete and complex portrait of the young writer—one that includes candid discussions of her developing sexuality, crushes on both boys and girls, and deep self-exploration. As of December 2025, the conversation is shifting from *if* she was bisexual to *why* this part of her identity was suppressed for so long, re-contextualizing her legacy for a new generation. The details found in the original, unedited manuscripts reveal Anne as a typical, curious teenager grappling with puberty and identity, even while hiding from the Nazis in the Secret Annex (Achterhuis). The modern consensus, supported by these rediscovered passages, suggests that Anne Frank was, at the very least, exploring queer feelings and desires, leading many to confidently label her as bisexual.

The Essential Biography and Profile of Anne Frank

Anne Frank's life, though tragically short, is one of the most documented in modern history, primarily through her iconic diary. Understanding her profile is crucial to interpreting the entries on her sexuality.

  • Full Name: Annelies Marie Frank
  • Date of Birth: June 12, 1929
  • Place of Birth: Frankfurt, Germany
  • Nationality: German (lost citizenship under Nazi regime), Stateless (later considered Dutch)
  • Family: Otto Frank (Father), Edith Frank (Mother), Margot Frank (Older Sister)
  • Relocation: Fled to Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 1933 after Hitler's rise to power.
  • Hiding Period: July 6, 1942, to August 4, 1944, in the Secret Annex (Achterhuis) above her father's office.
  • Key Relationship in Annex: Peter van Pels (a resident of the Annex, with whom she had a romantic relationship).
  • Arrest and Deportation: Arrested by the Gestapo on August 4, 1944.
  • Death: Died of typhus in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in February or March 1945, a few weeks before the camp's liberation.
  • Legacy: *The Diary of a Young Girl* (*Het Achterhuis*), first published in 1947.

The Omissions: Why Anne Frank's Sexuality Was Hidden

For decades, the world read a censored version of Anne Frank's diary. The initial publication, overseen by her father, Otto Frank, was a carefully curated text intended to present Anne as a universal symbol of hope and innocence.

Otto Frank's editorial decisions, while understandable in the post-war context of the late 1940s, resulted in the omission of several key themes. These included passages critical of her mother, Edith Frank, and, most notably, entries related to her budding sexuality.

The full, uncensored text, often referred to as the "Critical Edition" or a complete version, was released much later and revealed a far more complex, human, and sexually curious teenager. This complete version is the primary source for the modern discussion about Anne Frank’s bisexuality.

The suppression of these entries contributed to an "infantilization" of Anne Frank's image, reducing her from a developing adolescent to a sanitized, non-sexualized figure.

5 Key Diary Entries and Themes That Reveal Her Bisexuality

The argument for Anne Frank's bisexuality is not based on a single statement but on a pattern of entries that demonstrate her attraction to and curiosity about both males and females. These passages were often cut from earlier editions but are central to the modern "queer reading" of the diary.

1. The Confession of "Queer Desire" (January 6, 1944)

One of the most cited pieces of evidence is an entry from January 6, 1944. In this passage, Anne confesses what scholars interpret as a "queer desire."

She specifically discusses her intense feelings for a female friend, Jacque van Maarsen, writing about how she "longed for" her and "still does." Anne describes the friend's body in detail and recalls a time when she "felt a desire to kiss her."

This entry is a clear indication that Anne's romantic and physical feelings extended beyond boys, directly supporting the bisexual interpretation.

2. Crushes on Both Boys and Girls

The diary contains numerous mentions of crushes on boys, most famously Peter van Pels, with whom she develops a relationship in the Annex. However, the uncensored version also details crushes on girls from her school days.

These feelings for both genders are the simplest and most direct textual evidence leading to the conclusion that she was likely bisexual.

3. Self-Exploration and Awareness of Her Body

Anne Frank was incredibly candid about her physical development and self-exploration. She writes openly about her developing breasts, menstruation, and her own curiosity about her body.

This intense focus on her physical self and the process of puberty demonstrates a profound self-awareness that extended to her feelings and desires, regardless of the gender of the object of her affection.

4. Writing About Sex and Prostitution

Contrary to the sanitized image, Anne's diary included "dirty jokes" and discussions about sex, including topics like contraception and prostitution.

In one entry, she wrote about women having protected sex purely for their own pleasure. This sophisticated and frank engagement with sexuality further confirms that she was not a naive, unformed child but a highly observant and intellectually curious young woman exploring the full spectrum of human experience.

5. The Context of Her "Queer" Environment

The uncensored diary also included a mention that her Uncle Walter was "gay," indicating an awareness of non-heterosexual identities within her own family and social sphere.

While not a direct statement about her own identity, this detail shows that the concepts of diverse sexualities were not foreign to Anne, providing a context in which her own exploration of same-sex attraction was possible and natural.

The Modern Legacy: Anne Frank as a Queer Icon

The revelation of Anne Frank's complex sexuality has profoundly impacted her modern legacy, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. For many, learning that Anne Frank was likely bisexual has been described as a "game-changer," offering a powerful connection to a historical figure who has long symbolized resilience in the face of persecution.

The re-reading of her diary as a "queer text" is part of a larger, ongoing scholarly effort to reclaim the full humanity of historical figures, moving beyond the simple narratives of tragedy or heroism. By acknowledging her bisexuality, readers embrace Anne Frank not just as a victim of the Holocaust, but as a fully realized adolescent whose personal journey of identity—including her sexual identity—was tragically cut short.

The conversation today champions the complete, uncensored version of *The Diary of a Young Girl*, recognizing that her struggles with identity, crushes, and self-discovery are just as vital to her story as the historical context of the Secret Annex. This complete picture solidifies her status as a timeless figure whose writing continues to resonate with the universal complexities of growing up, even under the most extreme circumstances.

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