Queer Britain announces new exhibitions with Elton John and David Furnish as Patrons

Queer Britain, the UK’s first and only LGBTQ+ museum, is embarking on an ambitious new chapter, unveiling an exciting exhibition programme, a significant redevelopment of its permanent collection, and the appointment of two high-profile Patrons – Sir Elton John and David Furnish.

“A lot of the UK’s LGBTQ+ history is unseen and unheard, or has been purposefully hidden away. It’s wonderful to now have a UK museum dedicated to preserving and reclaiming LGBTQ+ history while inspiring future generations. It’s a museum for everyone – to learn, understand, and embrace what it means to be LGBTQ+ today. We are both delighted to support Queer Britain as Patrons,” shared John and Furnish, in a joint statement.

Since its grand opening in May 2022 at Granary Square, King’s Cross, Queer Britain has welcomed over 100,000 visitors, offering a transformative space dedicated to celebrating and preserving LGBTQ+ histories. Now, with newly appointed museum director Andrew Given (formerly of English National Opera) at the helm, the museum is poised for further evolution as it moves towards official accreditation and applies for Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation status in 2027.

“Walking through our galleries never fails to inspire, as I see the record of activism and change that our community has achieved. But there are so many stories yet to be told. That’s why we are delighted to announce this exciting programme of exhibitions and the redevelopment of our permanent collection – ensuring that Queer Britain continues to be a vital space for all LGBTQ+ stories,” stated Museum Director Andrew Given.

As part of its expansion, Queer Britain will undergo a major transformation of its permanent collection. The main gallery will be restructured into six themed displays, each showcasing rotating stories from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum. This groundbreaking redesign emphasizes co-curation, collaborating with artists, activists, and grassroots organisations to amplify underrepresented voices. Themes include:

• Resist! – Exploring LGBTQ+ activism and resistance.
• Club Kids – Celebrating queer nightlife and alternative communities.
• Queer Creativity – Showcasing LGBTQ+ artistic expression.
• Body and Mind – Addressing health, illness, and disability in queer experiences.
• Live, Laugh, Love – Depicting domestic life, love, and relationships.
• The World Around Us – Examining LGBTQ+ identities in the wider world.

The museum will launch a crowdfunding campaign on April 24 to fund this redevelopment, aiming to unveil the new collection in time for LGBTQ+ History Month in February 2026.

Special Exhibitions Programme

In addition to the permanent collection’s revamp, Queer Britain has announced a lineup of special exhibitions throughout 2025. They include:

Jimmy Somerville and Bronski Beat (12 March – 25 May)

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Bronski Beat’s landmark album Age of Consent, this exhibition features exclusive materials donated by Jimmy Somerville, including ACT-UP campaign T-shirts, a custom Levi’s jacket, and a reimagined video for the LGBTQ+ anthem Why? directed by Matt Lambert.

20 Years of UK Black Pride (4 June – 31 August)

Curated in collaboration with UK Black Pride founder Phyll Opoku-Gyimah (Lady Phyll), this exhibition chronicles the evolution of the world’s largest LGBTQI+ celebration for people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American, and Middle Eastern descent.

Terry Higgins Memorial Quilt (11 – 15 June)

Honoring what would have been Terry Higgins’ 80th birthday, this exhibition showcases the memorial quilt developed by Terrence Higgins Trust and The Quilter’s Guild, celebrating Higgins’ legacy and highlighting the ongoing fight to end new HIV cases in the UK by 2030.

Top by Claye Bowler (10 September – 23 November)

This deeply personal exhibition documents the artist’s seven-year journey through the UK’s healthcare system to access gender-affirming top surgery, offering a poignant exploration of queerness, dysphoria, and resilience.

Community Residency Programme

Queer Britain continues to champion underrepresented voices with its Community Residency programme, ensuring that 50% of its special exhibitions are co-curated with LGBTQ+ organisations serving marginalised communities. Previous projects have spotlighted LGBTQ+ Travellers, migrant men, and East & South East Asian queer experiences.

Jennifer Shearman, Head of Programme & Collection (Curator), reinforced the museum’s commitment to inclusivity. “Co-curation and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do. Queer Britain is a museum for everyone, where LGBTQ+ people can see themselves represented and where all visitors can learn about the rich and diverse histories of our community,” said Shearman.

Ian Mehrtens, Co-founder and Chair of Queer Britain Trustees, added: “It’s been an incredible three years since we first opened our doors to the public, and I’m delighted to be working alongside Andrew and the team on this next chapter. The Queer Britain team has developed an ambitious five-year plan of exhibitions and displays that will continue to preserve and reclaim LGBTQ+ history.”

With an ambitious five-year plan, a ground-breaking revamp of its permanent collection, and an array of must-see exhibitions, Queer Britain is set to cement its place as a vital cultural institution. As the museum continues to grow, it remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that LGBTQ+ histories are not just remembered but celebrated.

For more information, visit the Queer Britain website.