IT is a love letter from our previous to our future – Australia’s queer historical past is the main target of a brand new museum within the works for Sydney.
Qtopia, Sydney’s first queer museum, will host two exhibitions by means of World Pride with plans effectively underway to arrange a everlasting house to replicate Australia’s rainbow historical past.
“It is about education to ensure mistakes of the past don’t reoccur,” trans advocate Katherine Wolfgramme instructed The Daily Telegraph.
“We must remind people what happened and also it is about keeping our history in tact. Our history has not been recorded properly and it should be archived in such a way that it has public access that is available to youth, adults, to non LGBT people.”
Former High Court decide Michael Kirby and media doyenne Ita Buttrose are Qtopia Sydney patrons whereas rugby league nice Ian Roberts is on the 13-member board of group leaders.
David Polson, who was just lately awarded an AM title, is Chair whereas Romany Brooks and Miss Wolfgramme are additionally on the board.
The museum will cowl off every little thing from Australia’s wealthy first nations historical past, by means of to the unique 1978 LGBT activists that marched within the first Sydney Mardi Gras, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the wedding equality debate and gender range.
“Rates of youth suicide and non-acceptance of sexuality is still a huge issue,” Ms Brooks famous.
“To have a museum that identifies activism, that educates on our history and also creates space for healing is incredibly important.”
Mr Polson added: “The fight is not over. The fight is going on every single day for equality. We cannot sit back and say we have got equality and same sex marriage, it is not good enough. We have got to keep going and we have got to help others around the world where queer people are being executed.”
From Friday, two exhibitions will launch in Darlinghurst, one detailing Australia’s queer histories and modern tradition on the Qtopia Sydney Hub within the Bandstand at Green Park.
The second is predicated in Building 11 on the National Art School and can take a look at the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
“Our history is literally passed down via word of mouth like ancient cultures because we don’t have an academic record of our history,” Miss Wolfgramme stated. “Our rainbow youth need to know their history so they can have roots within our community too and a sense of belonging. It is about hope as well. Kids think their struggles are hard. We (my generation) hoped for what they have now and they can hope for more than what they have by understanding our past. That way they can build our future.”
Miss Wolfgramme continued: “I also like to think of this museum as a love letter from the past to the future. This is all around our love, our right to love, all of it, the right for us to love and be loved and to share that love publicly.”
Ms Brooks invited individuals to get entangled through qtopiasydney.com.au, by volunteering and sharing their tales.
“All of the images and stories that we will be inviting to identify will be about reflection, participation, celebrating those that fought for our rights but also to reference the history that goes back 60,000 years,” she stated.
“This will ensure we have a vibrant next generation.”
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
