Investing in LGBTQ+ heritage

Investing in LGBTQ+ heritage

Heritage has a crucial role to play in contributing to a flourishing, more equitable and inclusive society.

That's why we inclusion, access and participation is one of the four investment principles that guide our grant decision making.

Since 1994 we've invested over £12million 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.

A group of people in a community space

Projects

LGBTQ+ history in Llanelli

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

Performers in servants' attire at Duckie’s Lady Malcolm’s Servants’ Ball
Duckie’s Lady Malcolm’s Servants’ Ball at Bishopsgate Institute. Credit: Holly Revell

Projects

Re-enacting the 100-year-old Lady Malcolm's Servants' Ball

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.

Woman with rainbow flag at Chester Pride
Chester Pride

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.

Museum of Oxford's Queering Spires exhibiton. Display post it notes with comments and memories from visitors.

Stories

Case study: Queering Spires - a history of LGBTIQA+ spaces in Oxford

The organisation The Museum of Oxford is dedicated to telling the story of Oxford and its people. The project The temporary exhibition, Queering Spires aimed to tell the untold stories of hidden queer spaces in the city of Oxford. The local authority-run museum wanted to focus on the principles of a