Investing in LGBTQ+ heritage
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.
Projects
Fabric of Life
LGBT+ young people in Wiltshire explore fashion and identity.
Projects
Pride in the Past
Pride in the Past explores and celebrates the LGBTQ+ heritage and archaeology of the city of Chester.
Projects
Are You Here. A pop-up museum of LGBT history
This project established a pop-up museum of LGBT+ history, curated by young people that celebrates four decades (1976-2016) across Merseyside.
Projects
Never Going Underground: The fight for LGBT+ rights
Never Going Underground: the fight for LGBT+ rights’ was an award-winning exhibition developed by LGBT+ volunteer community curators and staff at People’s History Museum in Manchester.
Projects
The Sandi Hughes archive - Liverpool's LGBTQ+ diverse community heritage on film
This project made the work of black, feminist, gay filmmaker Sandi Hughes available online and in the Liverpool Record Office.
Projects
Out and Proud Histories in Greater Manchester
The Out and Proud project explores and celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) histories and heritage across Greater Manchester using digital technologies.
Projects
'All The Nice Girls' - women in men's roles on stage 1914-1918
First World War LGBT project looking at the lives of women working on stage in male roles.
Projects
Leicester LGBT Heritage Project
This three-year project recorded the oral histories of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland's LGBTQ+ communities, from before partial decriminalisation in 1967 to the present day.
Projects
Hidden voices: uncovering Reading's LGBT heritage
The project explored the heritage of Reading's LGBT community and created an archive of historic and recent stories to preserve them for future generations.
Projects
Coming Out Stories
Young people captured, preserved and shared the Coming Out Stories of Birmingham’s LGBT community.
Projects
April Ashley exhibition and heritage education project
‘April Ashley: Portrait of a Lady’ shared the hidden history of the trans community – those whose gender identity and/or expression differs from the sex they were assigned at birth – with 1.2million visitors.
Projects
Burnley LGBT Heritage Project
The Burnley LGBT Heritage Project focused on capturing the hidden histories of LGBT+ communities to explore the life stories, experiences and memories of people living in the area.