HELDEN! (HEROES!)

Seven stories from famous LGBTQ people about the one person who lifted them up and made them feel not alone for a while

Hero. Heroine. Heroism. Hero worship. Existing, fictional, historical. Warriors, saviors, protectors: heroes can be role models for many people. An inspiration that helps you shape your own life.

But whatever you call them, for the interviewed lhbtq people who wanted to tell something about their hero, the term did not immediately evoke warm feelings. Or they found it very complicated: “I am not so much into hero worship, but more into role models. A hero immediately creates a lot of expectations, as Astrid Oosenbrug says. According to Chris Rijksen, the concept lends itself pre-eminently ‘to a kind of uncritical ‘idolization.’ And that is something that can never actually go well.’

Never mind that the “hero” they eventually chose meant a lot to the interviewees. In this IHLIA exhibition, we let them talk about that one person who lifted them up and made them feel not alone for a moment. But who above all inspired them to also follow their own path. A journey full of obstacles that was not always understood by the heterosexual environment.

With this exhibition, we want to honor these examples. And show that all of us – the interviewees, their heroes and, of course, you yourself – stand again on the shoulders of the illustrious and courageous predecessors who fought for a diverse and inclusive world. The exhibition also features beautiful collection pieces from IHLIA’s archives that give even more context to the heroes.

Seven stories
HELDEN! has invited Nassiri Belaraj, Splinter Chabot, Astrid Oosenbrug, Chris Rijksen, So Roustayar, Raisa Sambo and Thorn Vineyard to come and tell something about their hero. In the seven panels in this exhibition you can “watch” and read their stories. Of course, many more interesting things were discussed during the interviews. We have compiled a collection of those (more elaborate) interviews. This way we also get to know the interviewees a little better. The bundle is printed in a small edition and can be found on the exhibition floor, as well as read online.

Location: IHLIA Plaza, Oosterdokskade 143, 3rd floor (OBA Oosterdok)

When: 31 January – 12 April 2020