Qtopia Sydney scores official opening date after Premier’s pledge

After making its debut during WorldPride, Qtopia Sydney will soon fling open its doors in its new home after Premier Chris Minns made good on an election promise.

Sydney’s first ever queer museum will be open by Mardi Gras 2024.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has made good on his pre-election promise to commit $3.85 million in funding and provide the site of the old Darlinghurst Police Station at Taylor Square for the first ever Qtopia Sydney.

“It is huge,” Mr Minns told The Daily Telegraph.

“It would be wonderful to have it up and running by next year’s Mardi Gras. It is a good positive thing to come out of World Pride, something tangible that stays behind that will help people.”

“It is the right location and it is a good building to think about a new positive future for Sydney. I am just full of admiration for the leaders of this project because it is not an easy thing to get off the ground.”

Ian Roberts, Premier Chris Minns, Greg Fisher and Dr Liz Bradshaw, outside the old Darlinghurst Police Station, which is the new home for Qtopia Sydney. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

In 1978, many activists marching in the first Mardi Gras were locked up at the old Darlinghurst Police Station as homosexuality was still a crime in NSW until 1984.

The building is currently in use by the NSW Department of Health with Qtopia Sydney to take ownership of the site within the coming weeks to begin refurbishments.

It comes after Sarah Murdoch in February announced a $1 million cash injection to the project via the Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch Foundation.

Qtopia Sydney has been years in the making and will cover off the gamut of Australia’s rainbow history, from First Nations through to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, marriage equality, and the future.

“This is the most exciting thing I have ever been involved in, ever,” rugby league great Ian Roberts, a board member of Qtopia Sydney, said.

“It is the first time in my life I’ve been a part of something that I feel is so much bigger than the individuals. It is such a good thing that will change and save lives.”

Daily Telegraph. 18, April, 2023. Ian Roberts and Premier Chris Minns, outside the old Darlinghurst Police Station, which is the new home for Qtopia Sydney. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Dr Liz Bradshaw, Qtopia Sydney curator, said it was important to “acknowledge the complexity and the pain” of the old Darlinghurst Police Station site.

“And in fact recognise how far we have come by acknowledging those difficulties and acknowledging the people that fought for our rights,” she said. “It is really exciting and extraordinary. I really hope that we can live up to the potential of the breadth and depth of stories in our community and use this as an incredible resource for education, and commemoration and celebration of all aspects of the community and the experiences we have all had.”

Ita Buttrose and Michael Kirby are patrons of the museum while Greg Fisher is chief executive and has driven the project to this point.

“This will inevitably be a state significant drawcard for NSW and we believe it will add tremendously to the cultural fabric of this city,” Mr Fisher said.

“We are now working toward a grand opening to coincide with Mardi Gras 2024 and the school year, where will launch our curriculums linked education and engagement programs to schools, universities and corporate organisations.”