The Maritime Museum of BC is preparing for a new exhibit called “Queer at Sea: Tales from the 2SLGBTQ+ Community”. This exhibit will be open to the public 17 May 2022 and run for the duration of the summer.

Queer and trans communities have long been a part of BC’s maritime history and culture. It is the goal of this exhibit to showcase those histories and culture, celebrate the roles and contributions queer, trans, and two-spirit people have made to BC’s maritime sectors, and to acknowledge work that remains to eliminate discrimination against the 2SLGBTQ+ community in the marine sectors.

The Maritime Museum of BC had many discussions internally and with members from 2SLGBTQ+ communities about the title. We recognize that not everyone identifies as queer, and that the word carries negative connotations for some. The Museum decided after these discussions that the word was as close to inclusive as we could get, and hope that most people will feel a connection to the 2SLGBTQ+ acronym.