Stories told by members of the Capital’s LGBTQIA+ community take centre stage in a new online exhibition created by Museums & Galleries Edinburgh in partnership with LGBT Youth Scotland.
Originally planned as a Spring 2020 exhibition in Queensferry Museum, due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic staff and LGBT Youth Scotland have worked together to move the exhibition online.
Proud City will present local LGBTQIA+ history through museum loans and donations. The digital display features objects and stories gathered from local people relating to identity, activism and the LGBTQIA+ community including photographs, postcards, banners and clothing.
Councillor Donald Wilson, Edinburgh’s Culture and Communities Convener, said:
Unfortunately visitors have not been able to access the physical exhibition in Queensferry Museum, but I’m delighted that the team have been able make the exhibition digitally available in time to mark LGBT History month. It’s a great opportunity to revisit the artefacts in the city’s extensive collection and the catalogue of history relating to Edinburgh’s LGBTQIA+ communities.
Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan Culture and Communities Vice Convener, added:
This online exhibition celebrates pride in and for the city’s LGBTQIA+ community. ‘Proud City’ not only gives us the chance to learn about our own local history and how far society and laws have progressed, but it supports and promotes the work of LGBT Youth.
Socks Rolland, Youth and Community Development Officer for LGBT Youth Scotland, said:
It’s so exciting to be part of the Proud City project, and to be working with young people to curate the exhibition for an online launch during LGBT History Month. Our youth groups continue to be delivered successfully, on our private and secure LGBT Youth Scotland server, ‘Pride & Pixels’. With our world increasingly screen based, it’s more important than ever to move the Proud City exhibition to an online platform, allowing it to be celebrated and accessible for all!.