In a period characterized by suppression and narrow-mindedness, Wrightwood 659 in Chicago offers an audacious contrast: “The First Homosexuals: The Genesis of a New Identity“, 1869–1939. This exhibition encompasses over 300 artworks from 125 artists worldwide, delving into the origins of queer identity. Major institutions such as London’s Tate and New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art have contributed works to this show, alongside lesser-known treasures from private collections in countries like Spain and Sri Lanka.
This exhibition, meticulously organized by scholar Jonathan D. Katz over an eight-year period, takes us back to 1869 – the year the term “homosexual” was introduced into public conversation. It features thought-provoking pieces such as drag portraits, celebrations of two-spirit identities, and early depictions of same-sex relationships. By challenging the notion of binary sexuality, it unveils a rich, multifaceted history of queer culture that existed prior to its formal recognition or regulation.
The exhibition is spread over three levels of the privately-owned, charitably financed Wrightwood 659, finding a home in self-reliance as establishments in Europe and the US refused to host it, despite the offer of the complete program free of charge.
Wrightwood 659
659 W Wrightwood Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
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Katz remarked to The Chicago Sun Times, “An exhibition of this scale is something that an established powerhouse like the Met would typically handle. However, for a relatively young and smaller institution such as Wrightwood 659 to successfully organize it, is truly remarkable.
The last part of the display revisits the tragic event: the destruction of Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld’s Institute for Sexual Research by the Nazis—a chilling reminder that progress can be swiftly erased. “This exhibition is as much a celebration as it is a caution,” Katz notes. “History has shown us that events like this can recur.
Wrightwood 659
659 W Wrightwood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
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2025-05-05 19:55