What was the penalty for being gay in modern times?

Answer

It depends on what country you're talking about.

Answer specific to Nazi Germany

It was de facto and later De Jure a capital crime in the Third Reich, with the war under way, any member of the Armed Forces including the Police and SS- who was caught in a homosexual situation was subject to the death penalty. in the field Police officials were sometimes authorized to ( Shoot on Sight) when breaking up Gay parties. Under paragraph l75 of the Criminal Code, Homosexuality was a civil crime in Nazi Germany as well and this law dated from Kaiser Bill days. it was not originally a capital crime unless involving officers or members of the military or police as mentioned before/. there were probaby specially trained anti-gay squads in the various Gestapo field offices. There were rumors many top management level Nazis had gay leanings such as SS-General Heydrich -who was assassinated in his staff car in Prague, a massive SS counterattack became the massacre of Lidice- pronounced Li-Deech-ay- not like rhymng with (Venice) which was how I always sounded it out.Imagine knocking off half a town if a visiting politician was gunned down! that is not justice but hate-politik. Oh by the way as with other sexual vices, homosexuality is treated quite severe under the Moslems. Lesbianism , along with prostitution are considered capital offenses, everybody (Gay) Muss get Stoned!-no laughing matter.