QUEER BRITAIN: the national LGBTQ+ museum

GULLY QUEENS The Gully Queens are a community of homeless LGBTQ+ people in Kingston, Jamaica, named after the storm drains they live in on the city’s outskirts. Driven from their homes by the legacy of British colonial laws, they find refuge in each other and their self-expression. These photographs, taken by Tim Walker for Vogue, shed light on their lives and resilience and can be seen in the Queer Britain Gallery 🌈 – Alt text: 1. First Image: Four framed photographs by Tim Walker showing the Gully Queens. Each subject holds a rainbow fan or flag against a plain background. 2. Second Image: A close up of the first image. – Images from Queer Britain – #queerbritain #lgbtq #lesbian #gay #bisexual #trans #queer

Intersex Bodies Are Beautiful 🟡 In honour of Intersex Awareness Day, we’re spotlighting messages shared by our visitors, celebrating the strength, beauty, and resilience of intersex individuals. Intersex Awareness Day marks a significant moment in history—the first public demonstration by intersex people in the U.S. on October 26, 1996. As a vital part of the LGBTQIA+ community, intersex people deserve visibility, respect, and support in their fight for bodily autonomy and recognition. Let’s continue advocating for equality, justice, and the rights of all members of our diverse community! 💜💛 – Alt text: Three white hexagons with intersex-related drawings on: Image 1 reads "Intersex bodies are beautiful" with a yellow circular symbol in the centre and two pink hearts on either side, on a yellow background. Image 2 reads "Leave intersex bodies alone if you don't have their consent" in orange text, against a yellow background. Image 3 shows a circular drawing with purple and yellow borders, inside of which it says, "To show how diverse the world is :)" in orange, on a yellow background. – Images from Queer Britain – #queerbritain #lgbtq #lesbian #gay #bisexual #trans #queer #intersexawarenessday2024

This week, our Programming and Community Event Manager, Nan Dorrego Carreira (they/them), and PhD researcher Shaan Knan (he/him), presented at the Queer Heritage and Collections Network Symposium 2024. Nan and Shaan shared insights on our Community Residency Programme, focusing on the Traveller+ Community Residency. They gave an overview of what the group accomplished during their residency, how the final showcase came together, and its lasting impact on participants and visitors. The presentation explored how museums can uplift marginalised communities by offering space and skills while developing and enhancing Museum collections. It was a great day of learning from other museums and heritage sites, all aimed at continuing to improve our community-focused work! – Alt text: First Image: A room filled with people seated and facing a presentation screen. Nan Dorrego Carreira is standing at the front, speaking into a microphone, with Shaan Knan beside them. The screen displays the title of the presentation, "Queer Britain’s Community Residencies". Second Image: A close-up of someone holding a notebook and a program booklet for the Queer Heritage and Collections Network Symposium 2024. – Images from Queer Britain – #queerbritain #lgbtq #lesbian #gay #bisexual #trans #queer

Yesterday, Queer Britain had the pleasure of hosting Uzra Zeya, the US Government Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights. Under Secretary Zeya led a discussion with leaders of LGBT+ organisations, including Kaleidoscope Trust, TransActual, Mermaids, Galop, Consortium of LGBT+ Voluntary and Community Organisations, Stonewall, LGBT+ Labour and Ban Conversion Therapy Coalition. Queer Britain is not only a place to Reclaim and Preserve our history, but also a space to Inspire the future.

HAPPY ACE WEEK! 🖤🤍💜 Ace people are a vital part of the queer community. This week, let’s celebrate the broad spectrum of asexual identities—including, but not limited to, asexual, aromantic, demisexual, and graysexual—while also acknowledging the ongoing challenges ace people face. We are stronger when we uplift one another and embrace the richness of our wonderful community! 🏳️🌈 – Alt text: Image reads 'ASEXUAL AWARENESS WEEK' in bold white text on a dark purple background. Above in smaller text reads 20-26 October, and below is the Queer Britain logo. – Image from Queer Britain – #queerbritain #lgbtq #lesbian #gay #bisexual #trans #queer #aceweek #AceAwarenessWeek

I'M READY FOR MY CLOSE UP 📸 How many times have you visited Queer Britain? Even for those of us who work here, there's always something new to discover. Every detail in our galleries tells a story, and it's easy to miss something special if you don’t look closely. ✨ Take a moment to zoom in on the beautiful artefacts we have on display through these close-up photos. From intricate ceramics to bold textile art, and iconic punk jackets full of pins and badges, each piece is a glimpse into the rich and diverse tapestry of queer history and culture. You never know what hidden gems you'll uncover. 😉 Whether you're visiting for the first time or the fiftieth, there's always more to explore at Queer Britain! 🏳️🌈 – Alt text: First Image: A ceramic 'Gender Deity' from @rachaelhouse. The sculpture features a circular face with two raised eyes inside smaller circular compartments. The face is decorated with a diamond-patterned blue and white background. Second Image: A close-up of Auntie Stud's leather jacket adorned with various badges and pins. The pins promote LGBTQ+ rights and feminism, with slogans like "YES Equality," "Watch out for Female Trouble," "Never Going Underground," and "Strip AIDS." The jacket has metallic embellishments and zippers. Third Image: A colourful tapestry by Pierre Marie featuring a portrait of a person with braided hair and bold makeup. The woman is framed by a circular border and surrounded by decorative floral and geometric patterns. Below the portrait is a ribbon with the text "Sakeema who helped family members find the light." Fourth Image: A close-up of a tapestry made for Maureen Colquhoun. Maureen's face is embroidered into a dark velvet red fabric, surrounded by leaf patterns and a lion embroidery. – Photos from Queer Britain by @stolenoranges – #queerbritain #lgbtq #lesbian #gay #bisexual #trans #queer

🌟 Meet Our Ambassadors 🌟 We’re thrilled to introduce the newest members of the QB family —our amazing Ambassadors! All are community leaders and share our love for Queer History. They are dedicated to helping us amplify LGBTQ+ voices and stories and engage the community. Introducing our ambassadors (in order of posting): Yasmin Benoit is a British Model and Award-Winning Asexual Activist (she/her) Shaz is a Queer Muslim Activist (she/her) Alexis Caught is a Queer therapist, Clinical Sexologist and Author (he/him) Eva Echo is an activist, Changemaker and Tedx Speaker (she/they) Girli is a singer and songwriter (she/her) Ocean is a trans artist who celebrates queerness (he/they) Asifa is a Muslim Drag Queen and Trans popstar (she/her) Samo is a trans street artist, public speaker and activist (he/him) – Images From Queer Britain. – #queerbritain #lgbtq #lesbian #gay #bisexual #trans #queer

On Saturday, we proudly unveiled the Heartstopper Pride Flag, beautifully designed by Raph Dilhan in collaboration with It was one of the busiest days since opening the museum, and we loved every moment! This stunning flag is a heartwarming tribute to Heartstopper and its fans, adorned with messages from the community to their loved ones ❤️ The flag will be on display at Queer Britain until October 19! – Alt text: First Image: A wide shot of the Heartstopper Pride flag displayed in a gallery. with rainbow stripes displayed inside a gallery space. The word "Heartstopper" is prominently written in colourful letters in the flag's centre. Along each stripe, there are embroidered handwritten messages from fans, expressing love and support to their loved ones. The flag features a variety of colours, including traditional rainbow colours as well as brown, black, light blue, and pink. Second Image: A close-up of the Heartstopper Pride flag. Third Image: An outdoor shot featuring a large, pink arrow-shaped sign directing visitors to the Heartstopper Pride flag exhibit at Queer Britain. The sign reads "Pride Flag Heartstopper at Queer Britain" with the Netflix logo and small illustrations of leaves around it. In the background is a brick building with several large windows, and a few people are walking or sitting around the area. – Photos from Queer Britain – #queerbritain #lgbtq #lesbian #gay #bisexual #trans #queer #Heartstopper #NetflixUK

GAY WHALES AGAINST RACISM 🐋 We've been going through our badge collection again! Badges like these have long been symbols of community identity, unity, and solidarity. The "Gay Whales Against Racism" badge, created by the Anti-Nzi League in 1981, humorously connected LGBTQ+ rights with the environmental "Save the Whales" movement. During this time, groups like the Anti-Nzi League and the Black Lesbian and Gay Centre fought for visibility for queer Black people and people of colour, emphasising solidarity against racialised homophobia. The statement "Gay Whales Against Racism" was born as a symbol of interconnected struggles, and remains relevant today. Do you recognise any of these badges? – Alt Text: The image shows four circular badges, each featuring designs and text related LGBTQ+ rights. 1. Top left badge: Support the miner's fight for jobs is written in bold white text on a bright red badge. 2. Top right badge: I *heart* the condoms is written in black text in the centre of a pale pink badge. The heart is the classic Terrence Higgins Trust red heart with an arrow pointing towards the heart's centre. 3. Bottom left badge: A round white badge with a black whale illustration. Round the edge of the badge 'GAY WHALES AGAINST RACISM' is written in bold red text. 4. Bottom right badge: LICK BUSH IN 88' is written in bold white text in the centre of a bright red badge. The badges are arranged on a light pink background. – Image From Queer Britain. Badges donated by Lord Michael Cashman. – #queerbritain #lgbtq #lesbian #gay #bisexual #trans #queer