Overview
A museum celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and educating visitors on the community's history is set to open in Sydney, after being granted nearly $300,000 worth of funding from the City of Sydney. The announcement came from the city council and Lord Mayor Clover Moore on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia.
The proposed museum will be set up on Oxford Street by local not-for-profit Qtopia Sydney, an organisation designed to empower and support the LGBTQIA+ community. Led by Patrons The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG and Ita Buttrose AC OBE, the organisation promises to showcase exhibitions on the AIDS/HIV pandemic, marriage equality, the different communities that LGBTQIA+ represents, how the queer community has shaped society and celebrate storytellers in the queer community.
"Qtopia Sydney's proposed museum aims to provide a safe and inclusive space for the public to celebrate, remember and learn more about the rich history of Sydney's LGBTIQA+ community," City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
The City of Sydney funding comes in the lead-up to WorldPride 2023 which is set be held in Sydney next year. Last month, the city council announced five priority areas it would be working on to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and protect its history as the global event approaches.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2021
The five-part innovation includes recognising historic places, increasing queer communities' visibility, sustaining Oxford Street, ensuring support programs and safe spaces, and increasing LGBTQIA+ cultural places like this museum.
"We are ready to stand as a proud, new, celebratory, amazing museum, ready to welcome the world for WorldPride 2023, and the community before and after," Qtopia Sydney CEO Greg Fisher said. "We're ready to succeed and to be a meaningful part of Council's important Oxford Street precinct rejuvenation initiative."
WorldPride 2023 will feature over 200 events ranging from arts and theatre through to sport and parties on top of Sydney's existing annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival.
WorldPride 2023 will take place from Friday, February 17 until Sunday, March 5 2023. You can stay up to date with the LGBTQIA+ museum at Qtopia Sydney's website.