‘Through a Rainbow Lens’ goes 360

LYNN — United Lynn Pride’s “Through a Rainbow Lens: A Reflection on Lynn’s LGBTQ+ History” project will now be immortalized online in a 360-degree virtual exhibition.

The exhibit, which opened in June at the Lynn Museum and is running through Oct. 31, documents decades of the city’s LGBTQ+ history through oral histories and nostalgic relics. It was compiled with more than 30 filmed interviews, as well as more than 1,000 photos, fliers, posters and news articles. It was funded by a $20,000 grant from Mass Humanities and produced as a collaboration between the museum, United Lynn Pride and Salem State University.

The virtual exhibit aims to improve accessibility for those who cannot physically visit the museum. With the 360-degree exhibit, people can “walk” through Lynn Museum’s main floor from the comfort of their own home and explore all that the exhibit has to offer such as the sign from an LGBTQ+ bar, the AIDS quilt from St. Pius V, and a gay wedding cake.

Hotspots are placed on panels and objects that allow the user to open windows to see them in more detail.

The project’s director, Jim Moser, said they launched the virtual exhibition at Salem State University on Tuesday to a group of enthused students.

“They asked how we can keep the history alive,” he said. “I wish I told them they can turn in a term paper on it.”

Jay Salois, founder of VRtical Media in Salem, created the 360-degree tour and said it allows future generations to explore and experience it.

The exhibit can be viewed online via a phone, tablet or computer, along with users that have Virtual Reality (VR) headsets. It is available at https://througharainbowlens.vrticalmedia.digital/.

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