Full Program Announced for Nationwide Celebration of LGBTQ+ History
The full program for the 2026 Queer History Month (Queer Geschiedenismaand) has been published, detailing a month-long series of events dedicated to the history of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities in the Netherlands. Throughout March, museums, archives, universities, and cultural centers from Amsterdam to Maastricht will host activities aimed at exploring and preserving stories that have often been overlooked in mainstream historical narratives.
An initiative of IHLIA LGBTI Heritage, the month serves as a collaborative platform for institutions to present queer perspectives on their collections and to organize community-focused events. The schedule includes a wide array of activities, from academic lectures and film screenings to city walks and creative workshops.
Program Highlights Across the Country
While the complete list contains dozens of events, the program offers a diverse range of topics and formats. Here are a few selected highlights to illustrate the scope of this year's edition:
Exhibitions & Museum Tours
- Mini-Exhibition on Roze Zaterdag 1979 (Maastricht): A focused look at the historic Pink Saturday protest in Roermond, offering archival insights into an important moment in Dutch queer activism.
- 'Urning & Urningin' Exhibition (The Hague): This exhibition at Nest explores the evolution of language and desire in queer communities, tracing terminology and identity back to 1864.
- Queer Tour at Museum W (Weert): A guided tour that uncovers queer stories and themes hidden within the museum's permanent collection, demonstrating how these narratives can be found in unexpected places.
- Audiotour at Museum De Lakenhal (Leiden): An audio tour titled ‘LHBTIQ+ stories in the museum collection’ provides visitors with a queer lens through which to view the museum's art and artifacts.
Lectures & Panel Discussions
- Panel on 70s & 80s Activism (Amsterdam): A discussion focused on the solidarity and activism within the queer community during two pivotal decades, featuring historical perspectives and personal accounts.
- Symposium 'Queering the Collection' (Hilversum): An academic and professional symposium at the Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision, addressing the methods and importance of integrating queer histories into institutional archives.
- Lecture on 'The Case of Anna B.' (The Hague): A historical lecture delving into the specific case of Anna B., shedding light on the legal and social challenges faced by queer individuals in the past.
Walks, Workshops & Community Events
- Queer Architecture Bicycle Tour (Amsterdam): A guided bicycle tour exploring significant buildings and public spaces in Amsterdam connected to the city's queer history.
- Queer Zine-Making Workshop (Utrecht): A hands-on workshop where participants can create their own zines, a medium with a long history in grassroots community expression.
- Alternative Groningen Tour (Groningen): A city walk that highlights the lesser-known queer history of Groningen, from hidden stories to significant local landmarks.
The events are spread throughout the month of March, with some exhibitions running for the entire period. The organizers encourage attendees to check the official website for specific dates, times, locations, and any registration requirements, as some events may have limited capacity.
The full program and further details can be found on the official Queer Geschiedenismaand website.
