AMSTERDAM – Coinciding with the arrival of World Pride in 2026, the Luther Museum Amsterdam has announced a new exhibition, 'Ons Geloof is Liefde' (Our Faith is Love), which will document the often pioneering history of the Lutheran church in the Netherlands regarding LGBTQ+ emancipation. The exhibition will run from July 10 to October 11, 2026, at the museum on Nieuwe Keizersgracht.
Through personal stories and multimedia displays, the exhibition charts a journey from a time of non-acceptance to the church's current role as a proud ally and safe haven for the queer community. The narrative is structured around three core themes, tracing the community's evolution from the shadows to the forefront.
From the Closet to the Pulpit
The exhibition's story is told in three parts, reflecting a historical and social progression:
- In the Closet: This section explores the past, when the church was more closed off but individuals were already seeking space and acceptance for the queer community within its walls.
- Out of the Closet: Focusing on a pivotal era, this theme covers the period of secret blessings for same-sex couples and the early, inclusive decisions to accept gay people into official roles within the church.
- Pride is Proud!: The final section chronicles how the Lutheran church became, and continues to be, a refuge for LGBTQIA+ individuals seeking an inclusive Christian community.
Art, Community, and a Queer Future
A central feature of the exhibition will be a series of ten large-scale portraits by young queer photographer Jesse van den Berg. The portraits, featuring contemporary LGBTQIA+ Lutherans, will be displayed in the windows of the church hall, symbolically bringing the community's stories into the sacred space. The exhibition will also give special attention to the many queer ministers within the Lutheran church.
Alongside the main historical exhibition, the museum's regents' rooms will host a contemporary art show titled 'We Carry Forward: Queer Horizons of Imagination.' Curated by Andrea Keznovic, this exhibition will feature work from seven international young queer artists. It draws inspiration from writer José Esteban Muñoz's concept of 'queer futurity,' exploring how art can envision and shape more inclusive futures.
The project aims to ask critical questions: How did the Lutherans come to embrace homosexuality relatively early? Does this acceptance extend equally across the entire LGBTQIA+ spectrum? Following its debut in Amsterdam, 'Our Faith is Love' is planned to tour various Lutheran locations throughout the Netherlands.
Exhibition Details
What: 'Ons Geloof is Liefde' (Our Faith is Love)
When: July 10, 2026 – October 11, 2026
Where: Luther Museum Amsterdam, Nieuwe Keizersgracht 570, 1018 VG Amsterdam
More Info: Official Museum Website
