LGBT+ History Month: What to see
From sun-lit paintings to protest art, plan a visit to one or more of these brilliant exhibitions this February.
February is officially LGBT+ History Month in the UK, an annual celebration of the community's rich history and achievements, helping these stories to be preserved for future generations. It was founded in 2004, following the repeal of Section 28.
To help you plan what to see during LGBT+ History Month, we've selected some of the best exhibitions that you can visit to celebrate, experience incredible work by LGBTQ+ artists, and explore their histories.
From a contemporary artist who's created a joyous, multisensory installation, to a blockbuster exhibition which spotlights the lesbian community's campaign against Section 28, scroll down to see our top picks. Plus, find more to explore in our full exhibition and events listings.
And don't forget to pack your National Art Pass for great benefits at lots of these venues.
Discover some of the best exhibitions to visit with an Art Pass during LGBT+ History Month
Jonathan Baldock: Touch Wood
Immerse yourself in the joyous world created by contemporary artist Jonathan Baldock, where the gap between human, animal and plant is blurred to create hybrid sculptural entities among a multisensory installation. Inspired by the medieval wood carvings of Wakefield cathedral, our ancient connection to nature, and queer histories, Baldock takes us on a journey through the seasons in a space without rules or binaries.
Paul Mpagi Sepuya: Exposure
See over 40 works by Los Angeles-based artist Paul Mpagi Sepuya, who uses photography to interrogate the relationship between camera, subject and viewer. Through his perspective of the black, queer gaze, and by incorporating techniques such as exposing, layering, fragmenting and mirroring, Sepuya deconstructs traditional portraiture and challenges photography's history.
The Cult of Beauty
In this blockbuster exhibition exploring the changing meaning of beauty throughout history, you can reflect on a display by the Museum of Transology, the UK's most significant collection of objects representing trans, non-binary and intersex people's lives. Each personal item is accompanied by a brown tag with a handwritten note, revealing the object's significance to the person who owned it.
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.