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 & Lesbian Mardi 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, the New-York Historical Society has started building an 80,000-square-foot expansion to house its new American LGBTQ+ Museum.
Images courtesy of Qtopia
