The Brussels City Museum on the Grand-Place is hosting the ‘LGBTQIA+ BXL, Collecting Memories‘ exhibition until 14 June 2022. 

In October 2021, the Museums and Archives of the City of Brussels organized a collection of archives belonging to LGBTQIA+ communities. The aim was to expand and complete the collections in order to preserve the collective memory of these communities. A first result can be seen at the ‘Bracketed Space‘ (‘Tussen Haakjes) of the City Museum.

Rainbow flag

Among the donated items was a small rhinestone painting depicting the rainbow flag. This work was made by Gilbert Baker (1951 – 2017) the designer of the flag. 

In 2008, he offered 30 copies to various Gay Pride events, including that of Brussels. The piece puts the creation of the flag, the history of the Gay Pride and the various struggles of the LGBTQIA+ communities into context.

Donation from Maman

A few months ago, Maman, the famous drag queen of the Brussels nightlife, announced her retirement. The Museum asked her to dig into her archives. In addition to the cabaret promotional items, she also offered one of the highlights of her wardrobe: a black stage dress made of pleated synthetic mesh and mechanically crafted lace, combined with matching shoes and a brooch.

Collection of LGBTQIA+ archives

In addition to these objects, about 30 donated pieces are on display. In the meantime, the collection continues. The teams continue to collect posters, photos, clothing, badges, plates,…:

Practical information

• The museum.
• The exhibition. 

Queer Belgium

• MSK Gent – Museum of Fine Arts Ghent introduces LGBTQ+ tour.
• Full edition ft. parade and festival days for Antwerp Pride 2022.
• Rainbow zebra crossings of Antwerp.
• Antwerp’s LGBTQI bookshop Kartonnen Dozen looking for a new home.
• Darklands 2022 hints at postponement.
• BRUSSELS | Exploring gay intimacy and sexuality at ‘In The Mood For Love’ exhibition.
• City chronicle ‘De kleur van de stad maakt mijn ziel amoureus’ recounts Queer Antwerp history.
• ‘Masculinities: Liberation through Photography’ exhibition at FOMU, Antwerp’s photography museum.
• REVIEW | David Hockney double exhibition at Bozar Brussels’ arts museum.
• Antwerp Pride 2022 from 10 to 14 August for a 15th edition.

Exploring Brussels

• Inside the Royal Palace of Brussels.
• REVIEW | Orient-Express exhibition at Train World, Brussels’ railway museum.
• REVIEW | Louis de Funès exhibition at Cinéma Palace Brussels.
• REVIEW | David Hockney double exhibition at Bozar Brussels’ arts museum.
• The orange world of Design Museum Brussels.
• AfricaMuseum in Tervuren near Brussels.
• Brussels Planetarium.
• Brussels’ Gare Maritime.
• REVIEW | Comics Art Museum Brussels by the Belgian Comic Strips Center.
• Brussels’ Pannenhuis Park and L28 Park.
• Brussels’ Senne Park.
• The Hotel. Brussels.
• REVIEW | Train World exhibition ‘From Peking to Hankow: a Belgian adventure in China’.
• Ducal and Imperial Palace of Coudenberg in Brussels.
• MIMA – Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art in Brussels.
• Villa Empain in Brussels.
• Pullman Brussels Centre Midi.
• Autoworld automobile museum in Brussels.
• Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels, Belgium.
• REVIEW | Thalys Lounge at Brussels South/Midi station.
• PHOTOS | Train World railway museum in Brussels.
• BRUSSELS | Exploring gay intimacy and sexuality at ‘In The Mood For Love’ exhibition.