Nine places to learn about LGBTQ+ history in the UK
LGBTQ+ history month.Since launching in 2004, the whole idea of the month-long celebration is to increase the visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other LGBTQ+ people – as well as shine a light on historical LGBTQ+ events, communities and individuals.The theme for this year is Behind The Lens, celebrating LGBTQ+ peoples’ contribution to cinema – but it goes without saying that there are so many different ways you can mark the month, not just through film.From museums and tours to country houses, there are a number of ways to immerse yourself in LGBTQ+ history in the UK.We’ve rounded up some, all designed to celebrate and educate.To get the latest news from the capital, visit Metro.co.uk's dedicated page.This venue in the capital is the UK’s first museum dedicated to LGBTQ+ people – so is a great place to start.
Queer Britain’s director previously said he hopes the museum can act as ‘a place where the community can look back at their past and understand where they’ve come from, in order to understand who they are now’.
The introductory exhibition, We Are Queer Britain, marks the 50th anniversary of the UK’s first Pride March and showcases activism, art, culture and social history covering over 100 years.Be sure to check out other February events in London to mark LGBTQ+ history month, too.queerbritain.org.ukBishopsgate Institute’s Special Collections and Archives holds one of the most extensive collections on LGBTQ+ history, politics and culture in the UK – from the late 19th century onwards.
The library is brimming with 10,000 LGBTQ+ titles – including academic papers, biographies, fiction and poetry – along with over 700 journal titles.
