Investing in LGBTQ+ heritage
That's why we make it mandatory that all of the projects we fund ensure a wider range of people are involved in heritage.
Over the past 26 years we've invested over £7.5million across the UK in sharing stories of LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other identities) heritage, creativity, activism and much more.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has increased loneliness and social isolation for many of us, including younger people and some LGBTQ+ people. It has never been more important to have reminders of the power of heritage in our relationships with each other, connecting past and present and strengthening our local communities.
Liz Ellis, Heritage Fund Policy Project Manager for inclusion
Here are some of the inspirational LGBTQ+ heritage projects we've been proud to fund. And if you've got an idea for a project, we'd love to hear from you.
The terms we use
At The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we use the acronym LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer). The ‘+’ represents people who identify as non-binary, intersex, asexual and other identities.
We use these acronyms because we believe they are widely understood. Identities can be complex and intersectional, and we are also aware that for many these terms may feel inadequate or limiting. We keep the language we use constantly under review.

Stories
LGBTQ+ projects that mean the most to us

Stories
Saving LGBTQ+ stories before they are lost forever

Projects
Wear it Out: The Culture and Heritage of LGBT* Dress in Sussex, 1917-2017
This cultural heritage project explored how some people from LGBTQ+ communities have historically used clothing to express identity. It focused on Sussex in the time period 1917-2017.

Projects
Pride! Prevention! Protection! 30 years of safer sex
LGBT Foundation recorded the memories of people involved in and affected by safer sex campaigns from the 1980s to the present day.

Projects
Out and Proud Histories: a celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender histories and heritage
The Out and Proud project explores and celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) histories and heritage across Greater Manchester using digital technologies.

Projects
PUNK SNOW: A filmed oral and photographic history of the Punk era in 1970's Liverpool
Punk Snow researched unpublished diaries and collected memories of Liverpool's 1970s punk era to create a 15-minute documentary.

Projects
Pride in the Past
Pride in the Past explores and celebrates the LGBT+ heritage and archaeology of the city of Chester.

Stories
Why working with communities can be 'transformational' for museums

News
Sir Ian McKellen opens groundbreaking LGBT+ exhibition

Stories
Six women: stories of our LGBT+ heritage

Blogs
A year as Director of Wales: lockdowns, Pride and inclusion

Blogs
A space in the archives for LGBTQ+ heritage

Projects
Hands on Heritage
The Hands on Heritage project at Amgueddfa Cymru–National Museum Wales’ enabled young people from diverse backgrounds to have an impact on the collections.
News
Follow in the footsteps of ‘Gentleman Jack’ in Edinburgh

Projects
LGBTQ+ History
Llanelli LGBTQ+ Support have held events and activities to recognise and share the rich heritage of the town's LGBT+ community.

Projects
Here Me out: exploring Dundee’s young LGBTQ+ heritage
Youth dance organisation, Shaper/Caper is exploring the LGBTQ+ heritage and culture of Dundee in an oral history project, Here Me Out.
Projects
Beyond the Binary: Queering collections at the Pitt Rivers Museum
The University of Oxford’s Pitt Rivers Museum has collaborated with partners to reinterpret its collections from an LGBT+ perspective.
Projects
The Hold": A Suffolk Archives Service for the 21st Century"
Suffolk Archives' latest project sets to uncover and share the hidden LGBTQ+ stories from Suffolk's history.
Projects
Lady Malcolm's Servants' Balls
A collective of performance artists re-enacted Lady Malcolm’s Servants’ Ball; a firm fixture of the queer scene in London almost a century ago.
Projects
Celebrating Cheshire's LGBT History
Body Positive has recorded and digitised the memories of the LGBT+ community in Cheshire, saving their legacy for future generations.
News
The search is on for the 2021 Sustainable Project of the Year

Stories