Heritage shapes all our lives, colouring our values and perceptions and making us who we are today. Identifying with past people, places and communities gives us a sense of identity and belonging. It also influences what we pass on to future generations. Until recently, LGBTQ+ people have had their histories hidden, marginalised or suppressed. 

Thankfully, queer heritage is now casting light on the true diversity of Britain’s past. 

Queer heritage is everywhere, embedded in the buildings and landscapes around us and the archaeology beneath our feet. 

Historic England’s ‘Pride of Place’ project highlights where to find LGBTQ+ heritage across England. The website explores several themes, including the history of LGBTQ+ activism and community. A crowd-funded interactive map identifies places relevant to LGBTQ+ heritage and history.

English Heritage’s LGBTQ+ History website focuses on the lives of individuals who have stood outside the sexual and gender norms of their times. Articles cover the full breadth of English history from Roman Britain to modern Brighton. Many of the stories link the historic sites you can visit. ‘London Pride’, for example, looks at the famous LGBTQ+ residents of London commemorated in the blue plaque trail. Historic Scotland also has an LGBTQ+ History page.

If you are looking for advice on creating and sharing LGBTQ+ histories and collections, the Queer Heritage and Collections Network provide training, toolkits and peer support. It is a partnership run by the University of Leicester, National Trust, English Heritage, Historic England and Historic Royal Palaces.

The LGBTQ+ History Month website also provides support and resources to schools, businesses and community groups.

Another body actively promoting inclusivity is the National Lottery Heritage Fund through grants to hundreds of LGBTQ+ projects across the UK since 1994. 

Many of these resources involve young people, like the LGBT Youth Scotland and YouthLink Scotland projects. Both worked across the country to develop a queer social history archive. 

In Surrey, the ‘Legacy of Kindness’ project used oral histories, community workshops and events to raise awareness of transgender and gender-diverse people. 

There are some other projects on the Heritage Lottery website. The NHLF also guide on improving LGBTQ+ heritage involvement.

At LUC, we take pride in creating sustainable, beautiful and inclusive places for the enjoyment of everyone.