This tour is in English on the morning edition of October 11 and the afternoon edition of October 19.
During the month of October, you can join an extensive queer city tour through The Hague. First, we will discover the hidden LGBTQ+ stories of the Mauritshuis. After a cup of coffee or tea, we will explore the city center, accompanied by city guide Oskar Oonk.
When you think of Pride, the Mauritshuis might not immediately come to mind. Yet, there are plenty of LGBTQ+ stories to be found in our collection. For example, our ceiling painting of Apollo, who had both male and female partners. Or Doctor Tulp, who became involved in a lawsuit against a cross-dressing lesbian.
During the city walk, Oskar Oonk conveys the rich queer history of the royal capital. From gay bars in the 70s and 80s to the Haagse Bos and from the victims of the Sodomy Riots to the protests against 248bis.
Discover the city
We begin at the Mauritshuis. During a stimulating guided tour, we’ll explore the collection through the lens of gender and sexuality - a true eye-opener! After a nice cup of coffee or tea, city guide and aspiring city historian Oskar Oonk will take over. Together, we’ll discover the city and its queer history, from the site of the very first gay protest in the Netherlands to the international LGBTQ+ monument.
The walk focuses on captivating stories from The Hague’s queer past, while also highlighting the places where the queer community comes together today.
There will be plenty of opportunities to engage in conversations about queer themes. While the way people think and talk about LGBTQIA+ issues may have changed, in reality, there’s nothing new under the sun - we’ve always been here.
Oscar Oonk
Oskar Oonk is a storyteller, spatial designer, and aspiring architectural historian. In his work, he brings overlooked histories to light - stories that have long received little attention in traditional historiography. He focuses on, among other things, colonial and slavery history, social history, and queer history. His goal is to let the city speak and to bring the past to life in a fresh and engaging way.
Discover Pride at the Mauritshuis
Did you know that our city palace is full of stories about the LGBTQIA+ community? In this vibrant Art Story, experts share some of the most remarkable tales.
About art and history, but also about themes that matter today. Will you join us?
