An exhibition exploring the intersection of Irish republicanism and LGBTQ+ identity has opened at Áras Uí Chonghaile on the Falls Road in west Belfast.

Titled "Irish Republicanism and the Gays", the exhibition was developed through a partnership between Áras Uí Chonghaile, the Museum of Free Derry, and the OUTing the Past festival. It draws on oral testimonies, archival materials, and historical research collected over several years.

The installation presents the experiences of LGBTQ+ people within the republican movement, a subject that remains understudied in public history. Accounts include those of gay and lesbian individuals who took part in armed struggle, served prison sentences, or supported the movement as members of Sinn Féin or other republican groups.

The exhibition also situates these personal stories within the broader fight for gay rights in Northern Ireland. Rarely seen documents and photographs illustrate the contributions of LGBTQ+ activists to campaigns around political prisoners during the 1980s.

Maeve McLaughlin of the Bloody Sunday Trust noted that the exhibition challenges conventional national and international narratives by centering the struggle for equality within activism and republicanism. She said the testimonies are powerful and make her proud of the community.

The exhibition is on display now at Áras Uí Chonghaile.