Milton Keynes is set to honour its vibrant LGBTQ+ community with a powerful new exhibition, MK Q:mmunity Tales - Not Going Underground, running from 30 August to 27 September at The Creative Void, beneath the Old Bathhouse in Wolverton.
Curated by Q:Alliance, a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ support in the region, this exhibition is a heartfelt tribute to the queer lives, loves, and legacies that have shaped the city since 1967. Through a rich tapestry of oral histories, photographs, posters, newsletters, and personal artefacts, the exhibition proudly amplifies voices that have too often been pushed to the margins.
From the early activism of the Milton Keynes Campaign for Homosexual Equality to the safe havens created by groups like Youthline, and the cherished memories of queer pubs, discos, and community spaces like Q:Space and the Freedom Centre, this exhibition is a celebration of visibility, resistance, and joy.
The stories were gathered through over 100 community conversations and 30 recorded interviews, in partnership with the Living Archive, and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The result is a deeply moving and unapologetically queer chronicle of local history - one that refuses to be erased or forgotten.
Visitors can also explore a queer map of Milton Keynes and take part in two specially curated heritage walks, tracing the footsteps of those who paved the way for today’s LGBTQ+ community. Entry is free, and the space is open Tuesday to Saturday, with varied hours to welcome all.
A companion book, MK Q:mmunity Tales - Local LGBTQ+ History since ’67, will be available in schools, libraries, and online - ensuring that these stories are not only preserved but shared widely and proudly.
The exhibition opens with a special preview on Saturday, 30 August, and concludes with a finale celebration on 27 September, featuring performances, films, and a joyful gathering of community voices.
