‘Queering the North Exhibition’ Opens in Newry and Mourne Museum

Newry and Mourne Museum is proud to announce the opening of a travelling exhibition called ‘Queering The North’ in partnership with OUTing the Past International Festival. Through a combination of displays, personal accounts and archive materials, the exhibition explores the journey of the LGBT+ community in Northern Ireland, from 1967 to the present-day.

The exhibition is based on the recollections of a range of leading activists and offers visitors a unique insight into the history of LGBT+ rights activism and the formation of support groups in Northern Ireland.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson Councillor Michael Savage, officially opened the new temporary exhibition and said, “This new exhibition powerfully demonstrates the struggle for equal rights by members of our society who were criminalised for their sexual orientation. It also acts as a reminder that the rights that we all enjoy should never be taken for granted, but closely guarded.”

Newry and Mourne Museum, Curator Dr Ken Abraham said, “We are delighted to open this exciting, thought-provoking exhibition, which we believe will be of great interest to the community. We hope that ‘Queering The North’ exhibition will provide a powerful platform to encourage visitors to share their memories with the Museum and donate items that highlight their experiences. A key element of Newry and Mourne Museum’s long-term strategy is to include diverse and inclusive collections.”  

This FREE exhibition is open to visitors of all ages and backgrounds until Saturday 11 March. It provides an opportunity for people to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the LGBT+ community and the impact of their activism on wider society.

For opening hours, information on events, upcoming exhibitions and other services please telephone 0330 137 4034. Entrance to Newry and Mourne Museum is FREE.