Nicole Moolhuisen wrote ‘Queer identities and heritage: Current developments and hopes for the future,’ for the special issue of Root Routes Fluid Heritage.
“As heritage practitioners and researchers, we live unquestionably in fruitful but also politically crucial times in which to study, to experiment and to advocate queer activism in the heritage sector. LGBTQ equality is gaining increasingly public and political attention and much is changing also in the heritage sphere, as institutions are growingly engaging with sensitive and challenging subjects breaking the boundaries between traditional cultural work and activism (Janes and Sandell, 2019). Yet, activists purposefully remind us, that change – both in theory and practice – should happen at a fast pace as cultural institutions aim to mirror and shape the social environment where and for which they exist. This essay stems from a research promoted by IHLIA LGBTI Heritage[1] on the current developments and ethical challenges in the field of LGBTQ+ activism and culture. The research has looked at the Dutch scenario in relation to the wider international realm – most notably the UK – as cultural practices develop also through international influences[2]. The methodology of the paper, unavoidably exploratory and qualitative, has intertwined desk based research, interviews with heritage professionals[3] and case studies. What follows is a critical analysis of how debate and practices in this field are evolving and it highlights areas of possible tensions, and ethical challenges, as well as areas asking for future developments.”
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Image: What a genderful world @Tropenmuseum