As the dark days of January recede, February 2026 brings a vibrant celebration of LGBTQ History Month across the United Kingdom. Founded in 2004, this annual initiative shines a light on the often-hidden achievements of LGBTQ individuals throughout history, connecting contemporary communities with their courageous forebears who lived through periods of intense societal stigma.
A Legacy of Struggle and Progress
For over four centuries, male homosexuality was criminalised under various laws in the UK. The landmark Wolfenden Report of 1967 led to partial decriminalisation in England and Wales for men over 21 in private settings, with Scotland following in 1980 and Northern Ireland in 1982. Yet true social acceptance remained a distant goal for many years thereafter.
While pivotal moments like the 1973 Stonewall Riots in New York are widely recognised, LGBTQ History Month delves deeper into the rich tapestry of the community's past. London, as a global hub of diversity, hosts an array of events that honour this legacy. Here is a comprehensive guide to some of the most notable celebrations happening across the capital this February.
Lambeth Council's Queer History Programme
Lambeth Council has curated an exciting programme of LGBTQ+ History events that explore queer history, rights, and achievements. Highlights include a discussion of Jason Okundaye's acclaimed book Revolutionary Acts: Love & Brotherhood in Black Gay Britain at Brixton Library on Friday, February 13, at 7pm. Additionally, The Queer Arab Family with Elias Jashan takes place at Carnegie Library on Tuesday, February 17, at 7pm, while author Grace Flahive will discuss her debut novel Palm Meridian, set in a lesbian retirement resort in 2067 Florida, at Brixton Library on Thursday, February 26, at 6.30pm.
British Museum's 'Desire, Love and Identity' Trails
The British Museum marks LGBTQ History Month by offering visitors two specially curated trails through its vast collection. The 15-object trail, lasting over an hour, features artefacts such as the marble busts of Roman Emperor Hadrian and his male lover Antinous, a vase depicting the ancient Greek lesbian poet Sappho, and porcelain from the Ladies of Llangollen, two upper-class lesbians who lived together in 19th-century Wales. A shorter three-object trail provides a focused exploration of key items, making ancient LGBTQ histories accessible to all.
Rotten to the Core: A Night of Queer Disabled Art in Lewisham
Hosted by the Rotten Crip Collective, Rotten Crip Imaginings is an evening of queer performance at 21 Piehouse Co-Op in Edward Place, Lewisham, on Thursday, February 19, from 6pm. This event showcases cabaret, music, art, and celebration, creating a physical meeting space for disabled, neurodiverse, or self-identified crippled, D/deaf, and mad individuals to explore their creativity together.
Camden's LGBTQ+ Stories Exhibition
Camden boasts a significant LGBTQ+ heritage, having been home to influential figures like pioneering plastic surgeon Dr Harold Gillies, who performed one of the first trans surgeries in 1946, and gay rights activist Antony Grey, who campaigned for decriminalisation. The borough's iconic gay bars, such as The Black Cap and The Bell in King's Cross, are part of this rich history. These stories are celebrated in a month-long, free exhibition titled Camden's LGBTQ+ Stories at the Camden People's Museum throughout February.
The Stage Sets Collapse in Lewisham
Also at 21 Piehouse Co-Op in Lewisham, The Stage Sets Collapse on Thursday, February 26, from 6pm, features readings, film, and performances by trans artists. This event eschews uniform narratives in favour of wrestling with disparate material conditions, obscuring notions of transness, and constructing realities that subvert, remember, and move forward with agency.
Any Old Iron Presents 'Fine and Dandy' in Deptford
Any Old Iron aims to illuminate the rich history of music hall and its queer influences. To launch the project, the group will host a reading of Fine and Dandy, a groundbreaking queer play from the late 1990s, at The Studio at Deptford Lounge on Friday, February 27, at 6pm. This event traces the evolution of music hall into variety shows and cabaret, highlighting LGBTQ+ contributions.
WALK: From Prejudice to Pride in Camden
Camden tour guide Richard Cohen leads a two-hour guided walk through Bloomsbury and King's Cross on Sunday, February 22, starting at 11am outside Goodge Street station. This free tour, with donations encouraged, explores sexual diversity heritage, including Molly Houses, Victorian cross-dressers, and historic watering holes. Participants will also pass Gay's The Word, the UK's oldest LGBTQ bookstore.
Retro Bar's Weekly LGBTQ History Quiz in Westminster
Retro Bar, located at 2 George Court in Westminster, hosts weekly LGBTQ history quizzes every Tuesday in February at 7.30pm. Hosted by quizmaster Steven, these events offer cash prizes and cost £4 per person, with teams of up to six. It's a fun, engaging way to test knowledge of queer history.
Queer Britain's 'Threads of History' in King's Cross
Queer Britain, the LGBTQ+ museum and gallery in Granary Square, King's Cross, reopens this month after renovations. On Wednesday, February 25, it hosts Threads of History: AIDS Memorial Quilt, Club Kali & Queer Heritage, featuring community voices like Harry Hillery from AIDS Memorial Quilt UK and Rita Hirani, co-founder of Club Kali. Tickets are priced at £15.
Queer History Talks at the National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich holds queer history talks throughout February, presented by volunteers and its Queer History Club. Topics include Queer Merchant Sailors on February 5, Queer Lives at Sea on February 15, and The Doctor Florence Nightingale Called a Brute on February 19. A special Queer History Night on February 12, from 6pm to 9.30pm, allows historians to explore the museum's archives through a queer lens.
These events across London not only honour the heroes who changed history but also foster a deeper understanding of LGBTQ heritage, ensuring that their stories continue to inspire future generations.
