DAY-8 – Discovering Our Stories: The LGBT Archive Fund of the City of Brussels

Why Our History Matters
For many in the LGBTQIA+ community, knowing our history isn’t just about the past-it’s about understanding who we are today and shaping the future we want. The LGBT Archives Fund of the City of Brussels is a unique initiative that brings together the stories, objects, and memories of queer life in the heart of Europe. It’s not just a collection; it’s a living, growing record of our struggles, triumphs, and everyday realities.

Belgian Pride in Brussels in 1997 – Picture : Musée Mode & Dentelle de la Ville de Bruxelles

Connecting Brussels to the World
Brussels has always been a crossroads-politically, culturally, and socially. The city’s LGBTQIA+ history reflects this international spirit. From the first Belgian Pride in 1981 (inspired by the Dutch “Roze Zaterdagen”) to the global evolution of the rainbow flag, Brussels has played a key role in connecting local activism to international movements. The Archives capture this dynamic, showing how global trends-like the fight for inclusivity in the Pride flag-are lived and adapted right here in Brussels.

Local Legends, Everyday Heroes
But the Archives aren’t just about big events. They celebrate the ordinary and the extraordinary: badges from the Rainbow House, the iconic drag costumes from “Chez Maman,” festival posters from Pink Screens, and even a menu from the pop-up lesbian and trans bar “Mothers and Daughters.” These artifacts tell the story of queer Brussels-from legendary nightlife to quiet acts of resistance, from the fight for senior rights to the creation of safe spaces for all.

Portrait of Maman in a robe de scène made by Serge Koeckoekx, 2012 – (Picture : Benjamin Brolet, Musée Mode & Dentelle de la Ville de Bruxelles).

Why We Need You
History doesn’t write itself. Every object, photo, flyer, or memory added to the Archives helps fill in the gaps and makes our collective story richer and more inclusive. Maybe you have old tickets from “La Démence,” a t-shirt from a protest, or photos from a night out in the gay quarter. Maybe you have stories about how the community came together during tough times, or about the spaces that made you feel at home.

The Archives are always looking for new donations-big or small, recent or vintage. By contributing, you’re making sure future generations can see themselves reflected in the history of Brussels and the world.

La Démence au Fuse, 2011 – Picture : La Démence, Archives de la Ville de Bruxelles

Get Involved: Make History Together
The LGBT Archives Fund is more than a museum project. It’s a call to action: to remember, to celebrate, and to keep building our community’s legacy. If you want to donate, volunteer, or just learn more, reach out to the City of Brussels Archives and Museums. Your story matters-and it deserves to be part of our shared history.

Let’s keep writing the story of Brussels together. What will you add to the Archives?

• Contact
• Archives de la Ville de Bruxelles
  Rue des Tanneurs 65
  1000 Bruxelles
• Tel.: 02/279.53.20

[email protected]

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