Queer Britain is the UK’s first and only queer museum. The museum has announced five special temporary exhibitions for 2025 running alongside the permanent collection.
Jimmy Sommerville and Bronski Beat (12 March – 25 May)
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Bronski Beat’s influential album Age of Consent, this exhibition features new materials donated by Jimmy Somerville. Highlights include ACT-UP campaign T-shirts, a customized Levi’s jacket, typed lyrics, and promotional posters for their iconic songSmalltown Boy, which Rolling Stone magazine noted in 2024 as one of the top fifty protest songs of all time.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to view Why? (2024), a reimagined video for Bronski Beat’s seminal LGBTQ+ anthem, directed by Matt Lambert.
“This isn’t about me. It’s about a time and place and the politics and life as a gay man. Time passed and so did laws and attitudes. Fast forward and here we are today a time full of hate, discrimination and the rolling back of laws and attitudes, in some places I never dreamed it could happen. So today, like back in the day, take nothing for granted and be visible and be loud …. WE’RE HERE, WE’RE QUEER…GET OVER IT!!!”
Jimmy Somerville
20 years of UK Black Pride (4 June – 31 August)
Curated in collaboration with UK Black Pride and their founder Phyll Opoku-Gyimah (Lady Phyll), this exhibition chronicles the movement’s evolution from a small gathering in 2004 to the world’s largest celebration for LGBTQI+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American, and Middle Eastern descent. This exhibition will coincide with UK Black Pride which returns to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on 10 August 2025.
Terry Higgins Memorial Quilt (11 – 15 June)
To mark what would have been Terry Higgins’ 80th birthday, Queer Britain will host the memorial quilt, created by the Terrence Higgins Trust and The Quilters’ Guild. This quilt will be displayed to the public in London for the first time. It features eight stunning panels representing different aspects of Terry’s life, celebrating his legacy. The goal is to engage as many people as possible in the conversation about ending new HIV cases in the UK by 2030.
“For many years at Terrence Higgins Trust, we worked in the name of Terry but without fully telling his story. This quilt is a literal rich tapestry of his life. It speaks to the experiences of so many queer people, from growing up in a small town, to finding his identity through friendship, community, work and music. I hope those who visit will see something of themselves in Terry’s story and understand the ways so many of us have benefited from his legacy. When Terry died, there wasn’t even a test for HIV, let alone any treatment. Now we have the opportunity to end the epidemic in the UK by 2030. We owe it to Terry and everyone we lost to turn that goal into reality.”
Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive of THT
Top by Claye Bowler (10 September – 23 November)
Queer Britain presents this important exhibition in London for the first time, following its debut at the Henry Moore Institute in 2022. This deeply personal show explores the artist’s seven-year journey through the UK’s healthcare system to obtain gender-affirming top surgery. It features a variety of works, including drawings, films, photographs, letters, sculptures, and collections that capture the emotions and physicality of being trans.
“When creating Top, I initially thought it was about dysphoria, but through sharing it and engaging with visitors during its first showing, I realised it’s actually a celebration of being trans and overcoming struggle. I’m excited to share the work again with Queer Britain visitors, allowing people to experience this joy again. The work also comments on queerness in a museum context, of the purpose of museums, and of collecting objects. As the first museum dedicated to LGBTQ+ stories, Queer Britain offers the perfect context for this work to resonate and question these ideas.”
Claye Bowler, artist
A New Chapter for Queer Britain
Under the new leadership of Museum Director Andrew Given, formerly of the English National Opera, Queer Britain is embarking on an exciting new chapter.
“Walking through our galleries always inspires me as I witness the record of activism and change that our community has achieved. However, there are still many stories waiting to be told. That’s why we are thrilled to announce this exciting programme of exhibitions, ensuring that Queer Britain remains a vital space for all LGBTQ+ narratives.”
Andrew Given
Queer Britain, 2 Granary Square, London N1C 4BH, United Kingdom.
OPENING HOURS
Wed to Sun: 12–6pm, Mon and Tue: Closed
