June 2-12 'Out In the World' Exhibit at Center on Halsted
News
06 May 2022
The Irish Government's Dept of Foreign Affairs and EPIC Emigration museum produced this exhibition on display at the Center on Halsted June 2 - 12, 2022.
The Consulate is partnering with the Midwest’s foremost LGBTQ community centre The Center on Halsted in Chicago to host an exhibition called Out In The World which tells the stories of some of the trailblazing members of Ireland’s LGBTQ Diaspora.
You can visit the exhibit at the Center on Halsted - the building is open from 8am – 9pm everyday. Please ask for Operations at the front desk to be escorted up to the 3rd floor.
Reaching out to Ireland’s large diaspora here in the Chicagoland area forms a central part of the work of the Irish Consulate. In recent years the Irish Government has placed an increasing focus on connecting with those men and women who left Ireland as it was not seen as a welcoming place for them, due to their sexuality, gender identity, race, or views. Sadly many LGBTQ+ people had left Ireland in previous decades as it was a cold house for members of this community.
Today, following a period of significant social and legislative change, Ireland has become a more welcoming place. As a country we have also been reflecting on our past and the generations of LGBTQ+ Irish people who left in search of better futures. These women and men did so much for their adoptive countries and communities. As a means of recognising the significant contribution of those LGBTQ+ Irish diaspora members throughout the world, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and our National Museum of Emigration produced this exhibition called ‘Out In The World’. Given the large Irish community here in Chicago, and the significant numbers of members of the LGBTQ+ diaspora members who found a welcome home in this city, we are delighted to host the exhibition in partnership with the Center on Halsted.
Please look out for events surrounding this exhibition on our social media.