Queer Britain: The UK's First LGBTQ+ Museum Set to Open in 2021


This is such fantastic news! Due to open in 2021, Queer Britain will be the UK's first LGBTQ+ museum.

 Wednesday 28th February saw the official announcement of Queer Britain: The National LGBTQ+ Museum. The intimate reception was hosted at the iconic Oscar Wilde Lounge in Hotel Café Royal, a venue that is entrenched in queer history, and ignited the museums' ambitious gathering of its archive whilst also kick-starting the fundraising process.

Dustin Lance Black and Tom Daley photographed at launch
Credit: HAYLEY MADDEN

 The reception was attended by a number of high profile business people, industry and community leaders as well as a handful of LGBTQ+ celebrities including Tom Daley, Dustin Lance Black, Jack Guinness, Nakhane Touré, Tom Robinson, Tim Hailes (Sheriff of London), Paul Gambaccini and many more. The event included speeches from co-founder, Joseph Galliano, and founding Patron Ambassador, Carolyn Ward as well as an acoustic performance by Sarah Walk - an American singer-songwriter and pianist signed to One Little Indian Records (home to Bjork and Ásgeir).
Celebrities attend announcement of LGBTQ+ museum
CREDIT HAYLEY MADDEN
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has stated his support for the museum:
"As Mayor, it's so important to me that London is seen as a city where LGBTQ+ people feel valued, happy and safe – this sends a clear message to the world that London is a beacon of diversity. I look forward to the opening of the new museum and the role it will play in shining a light on LGBTQ+ history."

 Queer Britain will be the UK's first LGBTQ+ museum, one of the most important museums to have launched in the UK which will shine a light on to its communities' rich and complex history. Not only will the space play host to a museum of permanent and temporary exhibits, it will be an essential resource for everyone to feel a part of the culture they have been born into or seek to understand. 

Celebrities attend announcement of LGBTQ+ museum
CREDIT HAYLEY MADDEN

 Between now and the anticipated opening of the museum in 2021, Queer Britain will be collecting stories from the LGBTQ+ community nationwide and their allies to ensure these vital pieces of history are understood and celebrated for years to come.

Co-Founder & CEO, Joseph Galliano explains 
"People came out of their closets, now it's time to come out of the margins. Queer Britain will be the first national museum for all, regardless of sexuality and gender identity. It will fully celebrate and reflect the lives of LGBTQ+ people of all backgrounds. It will help complete the nation's family tree."

We'll be watching this develop with interest. A museum to document, celebrate and represent the LGBTQ+ community is long overdue and we wish everyone involved the best of luck with getting the museum up and running. 




Looking for an LGBTQ+ friendly wedding venue in the UK?  Be sure to visit the Pink Wedding Days website. 

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