UK’s first national LGBTQ museum to open in London this spring
The Queer Britain charity will move into its first physical home in the coming months.
Words: Alastair James
Members of the public will be able to explore the UK’s first dedicated LGBTQ museum from this spring after the charity Queer Britain moves into its first physical home in London.
Making the move into the historic Granary Square in King’s Cross, which is owned by the Arts Fund, today (24 January) Queer Britain says it plans to open the doors for everyone, free of charge, in the not too distant future.
Once open there will be four gallery spaces, a gift shop, and office facilities. Education and workshop spaces will follow soon after, the charity says.
“It will help complete the Nation’s family tree”
The charity has been working on setting up the country’s first LGBTQ dedicated museum for some time. On the website, QB says such a place will be “an essential place for all regardless of sexuality or gender identity, to find out about the culture they have been born into, have chosen, or seek to understand.
“It will help complete the Nation’s family tree.”
Commenting on today’s announcement Joseph Galliano the director and co-founder of Queer Britain, says “It’s time the UK had an LGBTQ+ museum, for all. And we are delighted to have found our first home in beautiful Granary Square with Art Fund as our first landlord.”
Adding to that, one of the charity’s trustees, Lisa Power says it will be a place to “tell our many and diverse histories” from “old lesbian feminist warhorses like me to young queer folk of all genders and ethnicities.” Her fellow trustee, Anjum Mouj echoes these sentiments.
Art Fund director, Jenny Waldman says she is “delighted” and goes on to say that the idea for the museum “was warmly supported by our trustees”.
A campaign to establish the UK’s first LGBTQ museum was started in 2018 and hoped for the museum to open in 2021.
A different LGBTQ museum is planned to open later this year as well. QUEERCIRCLE’s museum will be at the Design District on the Greenwich Peninsula and has been backed by former Attitude cover star, actor, and podcaster, Russell Tovey.
QUEERCIRCLE posted on Instagram at the beginning of last December saying they plan to be in the building in Spring and to open soon after.
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