Queer Britain, the UK’s national LGBTQ+ museum, has announced a packed summer programme of exhibitions and events as London prepares to host Pride on Saturday, 4 July.
Based in King’s Cross, the museum reopened its galleries in February with a refreshed series of displays for 2026. The updated collection features more than 200 objects spanning LGBTQ+ history, including a panel from the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt, costumes from iconic club night Club Kali, football shirts worn by Justin Fashanu, and material from the Women’s Liberation music movement.
The museum is open from Wednesday - Sunday, 12 - 6pm, and will extend its hours for two evening openings as part of its Museum Lates series on Thursday, 18 June and Thursday, 16 July.
Alongside its permanent collection, Queer Britain will host a range of temporary exhibitions throughout the summer.
Fighting with Pride, running from 3 June - 20 December, examines the impact of the ban on gay people serving in the British Armed Forces, which was lifted in 2000. Developed in partnership with the LGBTq+ veterans’ charity Fighting For Pride, the exhibition explores the personal stories of service members who were dismissed, stripped of honours and affected by the policy.
A second exhibition, Progressive Advertising with Diageo, will run from 3 June - 26 July. The display highlights a selection of campaigns from brands including Smirnoff, Guinness and Johnnie Walker, showcasing what the drinks company describes as its commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion and representation.
The museum will also stage a series of author events. On 30 May, writer Mark O’Connell will present his book Bond, Queer Bond: The Fabulous Other History of a Spy, offering an alternative look at the cultural legacy of 007.
Further talks include Layla McCay’s The Queer Bookshelf on 13 June, which explores LGBTQ+ themes across literary genres, and Rainbow Wales on 27 June, where Emily Garside will be interviewed by activist Lisa Power about notable queer figures in Welsh history.
Andrew Given, chief executive of Queer Britain, said the programme comes at a significant moment in the LGBTQ+ calendar. He added: “As we mark 54 years since the very first London Pride, there’s no better time to visit Queer Britain to learn more about LGBTQ+ history, with stories of community, reflection and creativity from across the UK, and to celebrate our shared queer stories, past and present.”
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