Investing in LGBTQ+ heritage

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

That's why 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.

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

Why working with communities can be 'transformational' for museums

Through including LGBT+ people in conversations about their heritage, one National Lottery-funded project has helped improve representation in Glasgow's museums.

Brighton Pride, 1995. Credit: Sally Munt

Blogs

Future-proofing heritage: experience and advice from Brighton LGBT+ leaders

Lesley, Chief Executive of New Writing South, and David, Co-Artistic Director of Marlborough Theatre, are collaborating on the project, Building Brighton LGBTQ+ Heritage. The project involves: skills development for volunteers establishing a youth board building capacity strengthening partnerships

02/08/2019

News

Opening up collections: LGBT+ heritage at the V&A

Stuart Hobley, our Director of England, London & South, met with: Joseph Galliano, co-founder of charity Queer Britain, which is working to establish the UK's first national LGBT+ museum Dan Vo, LGBT+ tour co-ordinator at the V&A In the film below, Joseph explains how understanding our past helps us

25/07/2019

Stories

Six women: stories of our LGBT+ heritage

National Lottery-funded archives, museums and projects have shone a light on these six remarkable women.

Blogs

Why communities are essential to sharing the stories of Pride

These significant and inclusive events raise the profile of all sorts of LGBT+ lived experiences, celebrate activism and build stronger alliances. They increasingly involve people of all ages, cultures and faiths in publicly sharing differing identities. Alongside Stonewall’s 50th anniversary this

05/07/2019

Blogs

In the fight for equality, understanding our heritage matters

Fifty years after the Stonewall riots, remembering our pasts is a crucial part of championing inclusion today.

28/06/2019

Blogs

LGBTQ+ heritage: building an inclusive future

At the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we want to support an inclusive heritage sector. Policy advisor Liz Ellis highlights some of the LGBTQ+ heritage projects we have been proud to support.

12/02/2019