The UK’s First LGBTQ+ Museum – Queer Britain
Opened in 2022, Queer Britain is the UK’s first brick and mortar LGBTQ+ Museum. The museum is dedicated to celebrating queer history, preserve artworks as well as personal stories and welcomes everyone regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.
@urbanadventurerldn ? [BLOG POST IN BIO] Queer Britain opened in May 2022 and it’s the UK’s first brick and mortar LGBTQ+ museum @Queer Britain ? The museum is dedicated to celebrating queer history, preserve artworks and personal stories ? Queer Museum welcomes everyone regardless of their sexuality or gender identity ?2 Granary Square, London N1C 4BH ?️ Mon & Tue: CLOSED | Wed – Sun: 12pm – 6pm ?️ FREE | NO booking required #queerbritain #queertiktok #queer #queerartist #lgbtq #lgbt? #?️? #?️⚧️?️?❤️
Queer Britain Museum
2 Granary Square, London N1C 4BH
Photo: Urban Adventurer
After five years of search for a suitable site, Queer Britain finally opened the UK’s first brick and mortar LGBTQ+ museum at Granary Square next to King’s Cross Station. In their opening year (2022), they welcomed over 50,000 visitors and they also won the Museum Association’s Best Small Museum Project of the year award in the same year.
Former editor of Gay Times, Joseph Galliano came up with the idea of an LGBTQ+ museum when he visited Queer British Art exhibition at Tate Britain in 2017. He then used his extensive connections with LGBTQ+ organizations, queer activists and artists and successfully built relationships with the most significant museums, such as the Tate and M&C Saatchi to make the dream come true.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Queer Museum opened on 5th May in 2022 and the venue is being leased by national arts charity, Art Funds.
Their award-winning exhibition, “We Are Queer Britain!”, which opened to mark the 50th anniversary of the UK’s first Pride March, is still there along with artifacts, photos and images, costumes worn by celebrities and much more to cover over 100 years of queer history.
The museum houses a number of exhibition rooms, a film room and a shop with an amazing collection of books, gifts, stationary and more.
Highlights of the Queer Museum
Hand-Written Letter by Elton John
Photo: Urban Adventurer
“You are “queer” … Be proud of who you are, and as you get older and wiser, fight for gay rights…in certain countries we are still not treated as equals…Stand up for every human being’s rights. Be loving, kind and strong…You are going to have a hell of a life!!”
Elton John wrote this heart-warming letter in 2009 to his 16-year-old self. In the letter he encourages his younger self to have fun and enjoy his sexuality and never chase love, it will find him when he least expects it.
Photo of Ian McKellen and Michael Cashman at the Manchester March
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Clause 28 of the Local Government act was first proposed in 1987. The act banned the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality by local authorities. The act was followed by protests all over the UK. On 20th February 1988 actors Ian McKellen and Michael Cashman joined the Manchester march to protest against Clause 28.
We Are Queer Britain! Hexagon Wall
Photo: Urban Adventurer
The exhibition begins with a magnetic wall where anyone can add their personal message. Simply take a hexagonal magnet and tell the world why it is important for LGBTQ+ people to be seen. Feel free to use as much colours as you want and decorate your magnet as you like. Once you’re ready, simply place your hexagon onto the wall.
Rainbow Cape Worn by Singer and Actor Olly Alexander
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Well-known singer and actor, Olly Alexander worn this rainbow cape at Glastonbury in 2016. He said: “Say ‘no thank you fear’…literally shove a rainbow in fear’s face…Sometimes I’m afraid but I’m never ashamed..I am proud of who I am.”
1980s Singer and LGBTQ+ Advocate, Hazell Dean’s Jacket
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Hazell Dean was known as Queen of Hi-NRG in gay discos in the 1980s. She was a singer and an LGBTQ+ advocate who wore this jacket for the cover of the 1984 UK top-ten hit, Searchin’.
Free Queer Library
Photo: Urban Adventurer
There is a mini library within the museum, offering books anyone can read on the spot. The books were hand-picked by the Queer Museum’s staff and by Gay’s The World, the UK’s oldest LGBT bookshop.
Queer Britain Shop
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Visitors finish their museum tour at the shop that offers tons of books, stationary, badges, keychains, Tee, colour-changing umbrella and even jewellery and bottled wine.
Practical Info
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Address
Queer Britain | 2 Granary Square, London N1C 4BH
Opening Times
Mon & Tue: CLOSED
Wed – Sun: 12pm – 6pm
Tickets
FREE | NO booking required
Ready for your next adventure? The world’s first Vagina Museum re-opened in Bethnal Green last year. The museum is devoted to bust myths and misconceptions about the female organ and regularly organise events, workshops and exhibitions. Make sure you visit Kween Kream Café whilst you’re there and try some of their cheeky cakes.