The Smithsonian National Museum of African Art has opened "Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art," the largest exhibition of LGBTQ+ African art to date, featuring nearly 60 artworks by 30 queer artists from across Africa and its diasporas. Curated by Kevin D. Dumouchelle and Serubiri Moses, the exhibition was originally scheduled to coincide with WorldPride DC 2025 but was delayed to early winter 2026, shortly after President Donald Trump issued an executive order targeting the Smithsonian for material deemed "divisive ideology," including discussions of gender identity. Museum officials attributed the postponement to budget and fundraising challenges rather than political pressure.
The exhibition matters because it directly counters narratives that African societies lack histories of queerness, asserting pride, belonging, and diversity in being both African and queer. Its opening amid a politically charged environment—following an executive order that could restrict funding for exhibits perceived as contrary to "American values"—highlights ongoing tensions between cultural institutions and government policy. The accompanying book, "The Here Project: Pride and Belonging in African Art," further amplifies the work of 70 LGBTQ+ African artists, making this a landmark moment for queer visibility in the museum world.