The First Homosexuals: The Birth of New Identities

The exhibition “The First Homosexuals: The Birth of New Identities 1869–1939” examines the emergence of queer visibility and gender non-conformity within visual culture. Spanning eighty diverse mediums, the curation charts the evolution of modern sexual identities from the late nineteenth century onwards.

The narrative explores how creative practices became vital tools for articulating coded desires, forming communities, and challenging conventional definitions of the body.

Furthermore, the selection critically addresses geopolitical aspects, confronting colonial narratives while tracing the intersectional development of early homosexual and trans identities. Originally organised by Alphawood Exhibitions at Wrightwood 659, Chicago, by curators Jonathan D. Katz and Johnny Willis, the project is adapted for Kunstmuseum Basel in collaboration with Rahel Müller and Len Schaller.