17 May marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT). Last year, NEMO shared its effort to fight queerphobia with its forthcoming (now published) guideline and webinar on trans inclusion in museums with the University of Leicester.
This year, we would like to invite museum professionals, and anyone working at and with museums, to be part of co-creating more inclusive museums and keep the discussions going by adding to the online repository for NEMO’s ‘LGBTQIA+ inclusion in European museums: An incomplete guideline’. We imagine this to be a collaborative and evolving resource, so please contribute by sharing:
- Add policies from your countries
The NEMO guideline introduces EU policies as well as examples of national policies from six countries. What is the situation in your country? Are there any policies that you followed in your work to foster LGBTQIA+ inclusion? Is there inclusive legislation in your region or country, relevant to museums, that you would like to share? - Add scenarios from your own contexts and experiences
The NEMO guideline presents advice to 10 dilemmas that museum professionals might face when fostering LGBTQIA+ inclusion. What dilemmas have you faced while developing inclusive programs and policies in your museum, and how have you navigated these challenges? What experiences or lessons around diversity and inclusion would you like to share? Does your museum have initiatives in place to foster inclusion and embrace diversity that you would like to highlight?
Our ‘incomplete guide’ becomes more complete with every submission you share! Your answers will be added to our dedicated webpage and will contribute to this growing resource for our museum community
Submissions are made completely anonymously and cannot be traced back to the person submitting.
Supporting LGBTQIA+ inclusion in museums: Both for visitors and staff
NEMO’s guideline, authored by Arent Boon, addresses the critical issue of ensuring that all communities feel welcome in the museum, both as visitors and staff, by implementing LGBTQIA+ inclusive policies. Museums can play a unique role in fostering social cohesion, challenging stereotypes, and celebrating diversity. By advancing inclusion and ensuring welcoming spaces for one community, museums take a step towards enhancing inclusivity for all communities.
- Access and read ‘LGBTQIA+ inclusion in European museums: An incomplete guideline'
- Short on time? NEMO has also published a handy standalone 4-page Ethical guideline summarising key insights, focusing on areas such as collections, exhibitions, professional environments, and community partnerships.
The guideline addresses the pressing need for museums to ensure all visitors and staff members feel welcome. By implementing LGBTQIA+-inclusive policies, museums can act as agents of social cohesion, challenge harmful stereotypes, and celebrate diversity. Importantly, advancing inclusivity for one community contributes to broader inclusivity across all groups. This resource builds on insights from museum professionals across Europe, offering tools to support institutions in their journey toward greater inclusiveness.
