The Finnish Labour Museum Werstas is responsible for the nationwide documentation of the history of Finnish gender and sexual minorities. Werstas is the only museum in Finland that houses an LGBTIQ+ collection.

The museum collects objects, photos and stories that tell us what it’s like to live as an LGBTIQ+ individual in Finland. The museum is also interested in the organisational activities, events, campaigns, and performances of the LGBTIQ+ community. The objects collected by the museum allow us to preserve rainbow history and examine it as part of the wider history of Finland.

Do you have an object or photograph that could help us expand the museum’s LGBTIQ+ collection? It could be, for example, a photograph taken at a party, a personal souvenir, an everyday item, a garment or accessory, or even a banner used in a demonstration. If you can, please tell us the story behind the object or photograph, as this will add to their historical significance. Different materials related to the process of coming out, gender transition, or finding one’s own identity would also be a valuable addition to the museum’s collections. All donated materials will be used as agreed with the donor, so you can determine whether you want to share your story, for example, in an exhibition.