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LOVING opens for the final time in Australia

From Geneva to its first showing in Canberra, the LOVING exhibition travelled across Australia before opening for the final time in Launceston. 

LOVING opening in Launceston
© European Union, 2026

Ambassador Gabriele Visentin opened LOVING for the final time at the Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery (QVMAG) in Launceston, joined by special guests Mr Rodney Croome and former Senator Mr Bob Brown.

Mr Croome and Mr Brown represent an important part of Australia’s journey towards equality. Mr Croome played a prominent role in the campaign to decriminalise homosexuality in Tasmania, while Mr Brown was the first parliamentary leader of the Australian Greens, the first openly gay member of Australia’s federal parliament and first openly gay leader of an Australian political party.  

Tasmania is a fitting final destination for LOVING, having been the last Australian state to decriminalise homosexuality in 1997. LOVING’s journey across Australia traces a path from its first opening in Canberra, to Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast and now Launceston, bringing communities closer together around the EU and Australia’s shared commitment to human rights and to ensuring everyone can live freely and authentically. 

A sincere thank you to QVMAG, Rodney Croome and Bob Brown for sharing their stories and experiences, and all other partners who helped bring LOVING to communities across Australia: Canberra Museum and Gallery (CMAG), Qtopia, Melbourne City Library, Victorian Pride Centre and Home of the Arts (HOTA). Thank you also to everyone who has joined us at an opening or visited the exhibition. 

Together, the EU and Australia continue to work towards advancing equality and ensuring safe and inclusive spaces for people to exist as their true selves.