Desire Flows Like the Sea
By Charlotte Stace
The Museu Maritim’s new exhibition, Desire flows like the sea, aims to give an LGTBIQ look at maritime heritage.
One aspect of the history of sailing that is most commonly shrouded in silence is the sexuality of the men who spent days, months and even years aboard ships. The relations established on board, in terms of obedience, were governed by rules and hierarchies that were stricter than those on land. However, in a remote place, and without the presence of women, where men of different religions, ages and social strata all coexisted together, sexuality was also experienced in an easy, flexible manner.
The aim of this exhibition is to take a look at the emotional relations that have taken place on ships over the centuries. It also represents a further step in changing the narrative of the naval institution, making it more inclusive in terms of gender and sexual diversity.