Cabinet of Stories
Now on show: Change the world, not us
Change the world, not us.
Allard Pierson celebrates World Pride! Pride is not only a festive occasion, but also a protest drawing attention to the rights of LGBTIQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer) people worldwide. In many countries, it is still a crime to belong to the LGBTIQ+ community. You can be punished simply for who you are, or for who you love. In the Netherlands, the rights of LGBTIQ+ people are under pressure. Non-binary people in particular face much discrimination and violence.
Bringing forgotten stories of LGBTIQ+ people to light helps normalize gender and sexual diversity. Your gender identity is how you feel about yourself – for example, as a man, a woman, non-binary or something else. This does not always match the sex assigned at birth.
The objects here come from Allard Pierson collections (archaeology, book history, theatre) and each tells a story of gender diversity beyond the traditional man/woman perspective. These stories show that gender diversity has always existed. They remind us that it is not people who must change to be accepted, but the world around them: change the world, not us.