AN art and sound exhibition created by Kerry LGBTQ+ adults and young people was opened on Saturday by Sinn Féin Cllr Toireasa Ferris in Tralee Library.

The exhibition, which is open to the public until March 16, documents the experience of being LGBTQ+ in Kerry today and explores how it fits into the broader theme of personal identity.

The launch, which was attended by around 60 people, included an interactive performance piece by musicians Martin Scharer, Teresa Galvin and Jade O’Connor.

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The exhibition is funded by CYPSC (Children and Young People’s Services Committee) with the intention of supporting LGBTQ+ Young People.  The young people, most of whom attend KDYS youth centre, wrote a short phrase on a canvas documenting a snapshot of their experience.

“The theme of the show is identity — what it is and how it develops over the years,” says the show’s Curator Muiríosa Murphy. “We have participants from the age of 15 all the way to David Norris. Within the show we have 19 canvasses created by LGBTQ+ young people from different groups within KDYS, from Madden’s cafe and Roundys Bar. The sound pieces are the adults responding to how they have changed and how their sense of identity has broadened as they have got older with family, friends, work, hobbies etc. It’s really interesting how the journey changes as you get older and the show reflects that.”

There were 12 adults from the LGBTQ+ community in Kerry who recorded the short sound pieces which were compiled and edited by Creative Facilitator Rena Blake. Scroll down for photos…