London's LGBTQ+ History

From Molly Houses to Folklore, explore LGBTQ+ History at the Museum of London with our videos, articles and more.

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In this section

Explore the heritage of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans Londoners through stories from our rich collections.

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LGBTQ+ History Month: Queer City Tour at the Museum of London

5 - 26 February 2022, 2.30pm
Free, book in advance
From Roman romances to Pride and persecution, join the Museum of London as we explore the cultural heritage of London’s modern Queer community as seen in our collection, and across almost 2000 years of history.
This cross-gallery tour is free to join with advance booking.

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LGBTQ+ History Month | Talks and readings at the Museum of London

12 - 17 February, from 12pm
Free
Join us for a series of free talks and readings at the Museum of London.
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Shop LGBTQ+ History Month

Explore our selection of books marking LGBTQ+ History Month, from essays to fiction.
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Explore our online content

Queer As Folklore

Join historian Sacha Coward to explore the connection between mythical creatures and the queer community, inspired by objects in the museum's collection.
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London's Queer Objects

Inspired by our in-gallery Queer City tours led by visitor host Andrew Millar, we've launched an online mini-series exploring 5 objects from our collection that are connected to London's rich queer history.
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Learn more about the Labrys Earrings

We've teamed up with LGBTQI Heritage Curator & Educator Claire Mead to explore the history of the labrys, a double-headed axe. Discover how it's connected to goddesses and warrior women and how it became a lesbian feminist symbol.
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Pride and Prejudices: 22 years on

Matthew Hodson was the creator of the first LGBT exhibition here at the Museum of London in 1999, Pride and Prejudice: Lesbian and Gay London.
Our Proud History Champion Michael interviewed him, discussing everything from museums to activism and how the LGBTQ+ community has changed through the years.
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Learn about Molly Houses

Who were Princess Seraphina and Susan Guzzle and what were Molly Houses? Find out the answer to these questions and discover what Georgian London was like for gay men with London Tour Guide Nick Collinson in this short video!
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Night Flowers: stunning portraits of London's alternative club scene

After dark, the Night Flowers bloom: London's most fabulously dressed revellers. Curator of Photographs Jilke Golbach interviews photographer Damien Frost about his astonishing portraits of London's queer nightlife, captured in clubs and on street corners.
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Remembering London's LGBTQ+ nightlife

Queen Mary University students from Quest Radio have delved into our oral histories collection to bring you snippets from London's clubbing scene - from the first visit to Heaven, to today's alternative drag scene. Take a listen!
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