BRUSSELS | Pride Museum takes over MIMA from 15 June to 15 July with ‘What About Queer?’

The Pride Museum is taking over the premises of the former Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art (MIMA) building in St. John’s Molenbeek (Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Sint-Jans-Molenbeek). MIMA features in the wishlist of Pride Museum as future location. From 15 June to 15 July 2025 it will feature ‘What About Queer?‘. “A month-long experimental programme of artistic interventions, performances and public conversations exploring queer notions of time, space, and belonging.”

“Drawing from the queer theorist Jack Halberstam’s reflection that ‘queer space is not simply a place where queer people gather; it is a space where the logics of normativity are interrupted, distorted, and dismantled’, ‘What About Queer?’ reimagines the museum as an evolving site of disruption, It is about playing with the boundaries of what a museum can be.”

“Embedded in the belief that queer space is more than a physical gathering point, ‘What About Queer?’ embraces disruption as a creative and political force – a site where normative logics are unraveled and new rhythms, relationships, and realities are imagined. Set in one of Brussels’ most diverse neighbourhoods, the project reflects on intersectional dynamics that echo throughout the city and far beyond.”

“At a time of rising political hostility, when the language of gender, identity, and rights is under threat, ‘What About Queer?’ stands as a collective act of resistance and resilience. It is both deeply personal and unmistakably political: a call to action – a response to the ongoing erasure of queer lives.”

This temporary occupation is made possible through the generous support of Jam Hotels, as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to cultural innovation and its support for unconventional, community-rooted hospitality projects.

Full programme details and opening hours will be announced shortly. Stay tuned via the Pride Museum’s social media channels for the latest updates and the complete event calendar.

About Pride Museum

Pride Museum is an international queer initiative striving to establish a permanent cultural institution in the heart of Brussels. It is conceived as a living, breathing space that reflects the realities of queer experiences—diverse, complex, beautiful, and powerful.

Rooted in the legacy of resistance and resilience, Pride Museum amplifies silenced voices, reclaims erased histories, and unites queer perspectives that transpire borders. Through a distinctly queer gaze, we seek to reclaim history, celebrate culture, and provide a platform for ideas that shape our future.

Queer art is inherently political, and so will be the Pride Museum. With the global rise of authoritarianism and the anti-gender movements, we find it important to dedicate our space for collective responses to the growing threats on fundamental human rights.

At Pride Museum, we seek to challenge normative aesthetics and narratives, opening possibilities for alternative ways of being and connecting. It is not intended merely as a museum but rather a movement at the forefront of social change.

For us, the queer experience is not a single story; it is a mosaic of voices and perspectives. From intimate personal journeys to bold, rebellious expressions, from underground movements to the spotlight, the Pride Museum will bring all these stories together.

Pride Museum is envisioned as a vibrant gathering space for artists, curators, activists, scholars, and the wider public. With an unapologetically multidisciplinary approach, the Museum will celebrate the richness of queer stories across a variety of mediums, sparking thought-provoking conversations and inspiring critical reflections.

Mission

Pride Museum seeks to portray the complexity of queer lives, where art is not simply displayed—it is experienced, critically explored, and celebrated through exhibitions, performances, and events that challenge conventions and inspire new perspectives.

By integrating historical narratives with contemporary queer art perspectives, Pride Museum aspires to create a vibrant space that honours the past, engages with the present, and inspires the future.

Vision

Pride Museum is envisioned as a cultural landmark, where the continuum of queer expressions is celebrated and honoured.

The team

“We are a diverse group of queers bound together by shared stories of resistance, resilience and pride. Coming from diverse social and cultural backgrounds, many of us have faced oppression because of our identities and expressions. We have experienced immense social pressure, fought battles seen and unseen, and, above all, we have endured.”

“Together, we are channeling our strength and experiences to create something transformative — a living monument to queer resistance and resilience.”

Why Brussels?

Brussels is also home to many talented queer artists and activists from around the world. With its ambition to become the queer capital of Europe, establishing the Pride Museum in Brussels will not only enrich the city’s cultural landscape but also stand as an iconic symbol of its commitment to human rights and representation.

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