London's LGBTQ+ History

From Molly Houses to Folklore, explore LGBTQ+ History at the Museum of London with our videos, articles and more.

In this section

Explore the heritage of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans Londoners through stories from our rich collections.

The Backstreet: London’s longest-running, men-only leather bar

For 37 years, The Backstreet was an iconic part of London’s leather and gay bar scene. Read more about the club’s history, its distinctive look and the reasons behind its eventual closure in July 2022.
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Librarian’s Pick: Queer history books to read

Four books on LGBTQ+ history from the museum’s library that you should read, if you haven’t already.
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‘For fun, the camp, and the giggle’: a post-war drag revue

Drag performances are a much-overlooked aspect of the post-World War II period. These behind-the-scenes photographs from the 1950s by Alan Vines are a very rare testament of a form of entertainment that spans centuries.
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Queer As Folklore

Join historian Sacha Coward to explore the connection between mythical creatures and the queer community, inspired by objects in the museum's collection.
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London's Queer Objects

Inspired by our in-gallery Queer City tours led by visitor host Andrew Millar, we've launched an online mini-series exploring 5 objects from our collection that are connected to London's rich queer history.
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Learn more about the Labrys Earrings

We've teamed up with LGBTQI Heritage Curator & Educator Claire Mead to explore the history of the labrys, a double-headed axe. Discover how it's connected to goddesses and warrior women and how it became a lesbian feminist symbol.
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Pride and Prejudices: 22 years on

Matthew Hodson was the creator of the first LGBT exhibition here at the Museum of London in 1999, Pride and Prejudice: Lesbian and Gay London.
Our Proud History Champion Michael interviewed him, discussing everything from museums to activism and how the LGBTQ+ community has changed through the years.
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Learn about Molly Houses

Who were Princess Seraphina and Susan Guzzle and what were Molly Houses? Find out the answer to these questions and discover what Georgian London was like for gay men with London Tour Guide Nick Collinson in this short video!
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Night Flowers: stunning portraits of London's alternative club scene

After dark, the Night Flowers bloom: London's most fabulously dressed revellers. Curator of Photographs Jilke Golbach interviews photographer Damien Frost about his astonishing portraits of London's queer nightlife, captured in clubs and on street corners.
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Remembering London's LGBTQ+ nightlife

Queen Mary University students from Quest Radio have delved into our oral histories collection to bring you snippets from London's clubbing scene - from the first visit to Heaven, to today's alternative drag scene. Take a listen!
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Critiqued, arrested, knighted: Knowing Dame Ethel Smyth

Composer, Suffragette, Activist. With a sheepdog at her side, and a bottle of fine red wine close at hand, Dame Ethel Smyth can seriously be considered to be a top contender for “most interesting dinner party guest” among the figures represented in the museum’s collection.
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Hidden Pride: London's LGBT history

We take a look through our collection for signs and symbols of the centuries-long struggle by LGBTQ+ Londoners for acceptance, recognition and equal rights.
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