Chichester’s Novium Museum is currently hosting an exhibition, which celebrates “the rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ history, resilience, and Pride in Chichester” and gives museum visitors a chance to “discover the powerful stories of our community”. Developed in collaboration with Chichester Pride, Out & P
Chichester’s Novium Museum is currently hosting an exhibition, which celebrates “the rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ history, resilience, and Pride in Chichester” and gives museum visitors a chance to “discover the powerful stories of our community”.
Developed in collaboration with Chichester Pride, Out & Proud in Chichester shines a spotlight on LGBTQ+ history from all corners of the globe, with a special focus on the personal experiences of individuals within the Chichester community. This exhibition showcases personal stories, objects, and archival materials, marking a significant step in amplifying voices that have historically been overlooked or erased.
Since 2018, Chichester Pride has been a cornerstone of local LGBTQ+ advocacy and visibility. The exhibition highlights this “incredible journey”, celebrating the milestones, struggles, and triumphs of the local LGBTQ+ community.
A key feature of Out & Proud in Chichester is the inclusion of personal items loaned by members of Chichester’s LGBTQ+ community. In September 2024, the Novium Museum and Chichester Pride issued a social media callout, inviting individuals to share objects that hold deep significance in their LGBTQ+ journeys. The response was overwhelming, resulting in a rich collection of items, including:
Each object is accompanied by labels written by their owners, offering intimate insights into their experiences. These deeply personal stories provide a rare opportunity to explore the connections individuals have with these items, representing moments of pride, struggle, and self-acceptance.
Co-curator and exhibitions officer Rachel Ng said: “Chichester Pride initially approached us about donating an object for our collection and through that we thought it would be a great idea to work together on an exhibition. Nothing like this has ever happened in the museum before.
“Chichester Pride had their first in-person event in 2022 and since then they have developed hugely. We wanted to tell their story, the story of their formation and what has happened and also to provide a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community to tell their own stories in their own words.”
