Qtopia, Sydney's first museum for LGBTQ+ history and culture, has opened to the public at the former Darlinghurst Police Station.
Per a press release from the New South Wales government, the heritage-listed site was once associated with the jailing of Sydney's LGBTQ+ community, including 78ers– a group of marchers in Sydney's first Gay & LesbianMardi Gras peaceful protest in 1978.
Launched in time for this year's Mardi Gras event, the museum is offering exhibitions, educational programmes and evening performances that explore and celebrate LGBTQ+ history and culture.
New South Wales premier Chris Minns said: "This new centre turns the page on the history of the old Darlinghurst Police Station and writes a new chapter that celebrates and recognises the proud LGBTQIA+ history and culture of our state.
"We couldn’t be prouder to support the establishment of Qtopia Sydney as a testament to the inclusivity and diversity that have come to define our vibrant city and state.
"Qtopia will stand as more than just a testament to any one particular person or government, this centre will stand as a marker for us all as to how far we’ve come in addressing inequality in NSW."
The new museum will be operated by Qtopia, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to the empowerment and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community.
New museum in time for Mardi Gras
Arts minister John Graham added: "Qtopia’s new and permanent home in the former Darlinghurst Police Station is a significant space for Sydney LGBTQIA+ community. It will be an important place for education, engagement, and artistic expression.
"This heritage-listed building holds a lot of history for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. It will provide a place for exploring ideas and foster a deeper understanding of history and current events."
Elsewhere, theNew-York Historical Societyhas started building an 80,000-square-foot expansion to house its new American LGBTQ+ Museum.
Images courtesy of Qtopia
