Campaigners call for London to have first museum dedicated to gay history

Pink filing cabinets have been placed at London landmarks by campaigners who are calling for the capital to get its first museum of gay history as England and Wales celebrate the 50th anniversary of decriminalisation of homosexuality next year.

The cabinets are set to symbolise the millions of stories and events involving LGBT Londoners that are now buried in archives.

They will be placed at 11 locations around London including Camden, Piccadilly Circus, Regent’s Park, the Houses of Parliament and more.

Jan Pimblett from London Metropolitan Archives told the Evening Standard that an LGBT museum would be “an important step in the mainstreaming of these rich and important histories.”

Activist and supporter for a museum, Salma Tiff, said: “Unfortunately for most of us, our families often can’t or don’t teach us about our history simply because it’s not theirs.”

London’s Jewish Museum recently exhibited photographs of LGBT Jews and there are upcoming events such as the ‘Queer British Art’ at the Tate along with an exploration of gay sexuality through objects at the British Museum.

However campaigners have argued that sexuality is such a huge part of the city that it deserves its own dedicated space.

Author Stuart Feather said they want to bring queer history “out into the open and make it accessible to all.”

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