Camden Council’s programme of free and low-cost events for LGBT+ History Month has kickstarted, and residents are invited to partake, learn and celebrate.
February marks LGBT+ History Month, where communities and allies gather to celebrate the achievements and histories of LGBT+ people.
This year’s official theme is “Science and Innovation”, which aims to raise awareness of and emphasise LGBT+ peoples’ contributions and discoveries in STEM fields throughout history.
The LGBT+ community has profoundly impacted Camden’s history. Camden has been a hub for LGBT+ activism, from significant figures such as Antony Grey, Kathlyn Oliver, and Mark Ashton, to literary icons like Virginia Woolf and Amy Levy. Pioneering establishments like Gay’s the Word bookshop and the Camden Black Lesbian’s Group have been instrumental in the plight for LGBT+ rights, and iconic venues like The Black Cap and The Caravan Club have provided safe spaces for the community throughout modern history.
Celebrate LGBT+ History Month in Camden through art, walks, talks and personal stories – view highlighted events below and the full list of events on Love Camden’s website.
Councillor Sabrina Francis, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Young People and Culture said:
“Camden is proud of its pioneering LGBT+ history, and it’s important that we come together to learn and celebrate the community’s achievements, both past and present. The Council will always work to build an inclusive borough and honour our LGBT+ heritage, as seen in the diverse programme of events running this LGBT+ History Month. To our LGBT+ community and allies in Camden: continue to stand proud and continue to make history in our borough – it is this spirit that makes diversity Camden’s strength.”
Camden Council’s LGBT+ History Programme
From Prejudice to Pride – An Exploration of Camden’s LGBT Heritage (Walking tour)
Celebrate LGBT+ History Month 2026 by walking the streets where history was made. Join this guided walk through Bloomsbury and King’s Cross and walk in the footsteps of the trailblazers.
With longstanding local resident and Camden tour guide Richard Cohen, uncover Camden’s deep and rich LGBT+ heritage. Learn about the struggle against Section 28 and the joyous celebrations of the first Same Sex weddings at Camden Town Hall.
Camden Council has partnered with Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust, a Camden based charity that supports, educates and inspires young LGBT+ people. All proceeds from the walk will go to Mosaic.
Meeting point Goodge Street station; 22 February 11am-1pm
Unveiling of new artwork at Camden Town Hall (Exhibition)
Artist Ted Tinkler researched Camden’s unique LGBT+ history and brought this together with community stories to inform and inspire their new artwork. The artwork, which is quilt-based, has been embellished with quotes from Camden’s LGBT+ community, sharing their stories as well as text from histories of spaces such as Gay’s the Word bookshop, Marchmont Street, and Camden Lesbian Centre and Black Lesbian Group.
This artwork is the first permanent commission for Camden Town Hall to celebrate Camden’s diverse communities. It forms part of Camden’s Strategy for Diversity in the Public Realm, which aims to promote works of marginalised communities, and was commissioned by Love Camden. It will also be formally accessioned into the Camden Art Collection.
On display at Camden Town Hall from 6 February 2026
Connections and Conversations – Gill Ord (Exhibition)
LGBT+ artist Gill Ord makes paintings in her London studio that emerge from observations and experiences, time spent visiting places that include her native Northeast England, where industry and nature meet and also internationally, on residencies and artist-run workshops.
The free exhibition is available to view until 11 March at Swiss Cottage Library.
Trans Folk Project (Exhibition)
Nikolas Wereszczyński is a London-based Polish artist specialising in gouache painting and printmaking. Camden Trans Folk Project (commissioned by Love Camden) is a project aiming to explore and document the lives of Trans people within the context of folk culture. The works are based on the submissions sent in by Trans individuals with connections to Camden as well as the artist’s own experiences and reflections.
Nikolas’ work will be displayed in the atrium poster spaces at Swiss Cottage Library until 11 March.
Trans-led printing workshop focused on dynamic portraiture (Workshop)
Alongside his art exhibition, Nikolas Wereszczyński will also be running a workshop including drawing exercises and will go through different ways of creating monotypes from scratch. This workshop is for those who identify as Trans+ and are 18+.
The session runs on 7 February at 1:30pm and is for those who identify as trans+ and are above 18.
*
Full itinerary across Camden
forum+, a close partner of Camden Council, has put together a comprehensive guide to LGBT+ History Month in the boroughs, featuring all LGBT+ History Month events across the borough.
From Wednesday 4th February
12 pm – 6 pm
Queer Britain N1C 4BH
Queer Britain Museum
Queer Britain, the UK’s national LGBTQ+ museum, reopens with all-
new displays across its galleries. Relaunching during LGBT History
Month, the exhibitions feature over 200 items, including photographs,
posters, clothing, and banners. Across four galleries a multitude of
stories will be told, through six themes – Resist!; Club Kids; Queer
Creativity; Body and Mind; Live, Laugh, Love; and The World Around
Us.
Every Wednesday
6.30 pm – 7.30 pm
BOYS! BOYS! BOYS!
Gallery Café W1T 5NF
BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! MEETS
BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! Gallery Café is a cultural hub promoting queer,
art and culture, and the home of queer and gay fine art photography.
Every Wednesday evening the gallery café hosts BOYS! BOYS! BOYS!
MEETS where a leading member of the community shares their story.
There are four fantastic events to join during LGBT History Month
featuring Fat Tony, Michael Batten, Nigel Grimmer and Lee Knight.
Every Wednesday
8.00 pm
Gay’s The Word WC1N 1AB
Lesbian Discussion Group
Join the legendary LDG for discussion and debate at Gay’s The Word.
For over 40 years the group has provided a community to women
that meet every week to discuss love, life, and current affairs. The
Older Lesbian Discussion Group meet at Gay’s The Word on the last
Wednesday of every month.
Thursday 5th – Friday 27th
February
Various times
The Garden Cinema WC2B 5PQ
Celebrate LGBT History Month at The Garden Cinema
From 5th – 28th February, the gorgeous Garden Cinema is celebrating
LGBT History Month. Visit the cinema for a compelling selection picked
by members, alongside exciting partnership events! Hear expert
introductions, join Q&A discussions and meet up with old friends and
new in the beautiful cinema bar.
Thursday 5th February
5.30 pm – 8 pm
RCP Museum NW1 4LE
RCP Museum Late: LGBT+ History Month Special
The Royal College of Physicians Museum is celebrating the LGBT+
History Month theme of Science and Innovation by hosting an in-
person event at which you can see original documents preserved by
the RCP. LGBT stories can be traced back at least 350 years at RCP
and cover the experiences of LGBT+ people, including physicians, as
well as the views of a society that medicalised them.
Thursday 5th February
7 pm – 8.30 pm
Housmans Bookshop N1 9DY
Launch of The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the
Helpline that Listened
The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened
is an intimate history of LGBTQ+ life over four decades, discovered in
a stash of forgotten, handwritten notes. Join authors Tash Walker and
Adam Zmith at Housmans Bookshop for an evening of discussion and
celebration.
Camden Town Hall
From 6 February
Unveiling of new artwork at Camden Town Hall
Artist Ted Tinkler researched Camden’s unique LGBT+ history and brought this together with community stories to inform and inspire their new artwork. The artwork, which is quilt-based, has been embellished with quotes from Camden’s LGBT+ community, sharing their stories as well as text from histories of spaces such as Gay’s the Word bookshop, Marchmont Street, and Camden Lesbian Centre and Black Lesbian Group. The artwork is available for the public to see from 6 February.
7th, 15th, 21st and 27th February
Start times vary
The British Museum WC1B 3D
Desire, love, identity – an LGBTQ tour of the British Museum
Explore objects in the British Museum collection linked to the themes
of desire, love and identity. Join a volunteer-led tour and discover a
fascinating selection of objects with LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender and queer) connections. The tour ranges from the ancient
world to the present day, and includes some of the most famous
artworks on display.
Saturday 7th February
1.30 pm – 4.30 pm
Queer Britain N1C 4BH
Queer Britain Craft Workshop: Stitching Our Queer Stories
Unleash your creativity and express your voice through stitched text
in this hands-on textile workshop inspired by the AIDS Quilt UK. In
this workshop, drawing on the new AIDS Quilt UK display opening
at Queer Britain in February, begin by exploring the quilt panel in the
galleries for creative inspiration.
7 February
Trans-led printing workshop focused on dynamic portraiture (Workshop)
Alongside his art exhibition, Nikolas Wereszczyński will also be running a workshop including drawing exercises and will go through different ways of creating monotypes from scratch. This workshop is for those who identify as Trans+ and are 18+.
The session runs on 7 February at 1:30pm and is for those who identify as trans+ and are above 18.
Until Thursday 12th March
Swiss Cottage Gallery NW3 3HA
Exhibition: Connections and Conversations, Gill Ord
Discover the work of Gill Ord, who creates paintings in her London
studio shaped by observation and experience, and by time spent
visiting places where industry and nature meet — from her native
North East of England to international locations. Gill Ord lives on The
Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate in Swiss Cottage. This exhibition is
part of Camden’s LGBTQ+ History Month programme.
Thursday 12th February
6.30 pm – 8 pm
St Luke’s Community Centre
EC1V 8AJ
forum+ LGBT History Month Workshop – Polari, the Secret Queer
Language
Join with forum+ and Dan de la Motte for a fun interactive workshop on
Polari, the Secret Queer Language. Learn the ‘rules’ of the language,
decipher words and phrases, and make up your own sentences and
mini scenes for others to work out!
Friday 20th February
12.30 pm – 2 pm
The London Archives EC1R 0HB
The London Archives LGBTQ+ Collections – Document Viewing
Visit The London Archives and see a selection of documents that
speak to the lives of, and experiences of, LGBT people. This event
is an introduction to flagship collections including the National HIV
Stories Trust oral history collections, as well as less known but no
less valuable collections like that of Gerald Kremenstein and Lesbian
London.
Saturday 21st February
11 am – 3 pm
The British Museum WC1B 3DG
Full Event Information &
LGBT History Month Community Event at The British Museum
Enjoy a day long, community focused event at The British Museum
marking LGBT History Month. There is going to be so much to enjoy
as we explore the theme of Science and Innovation. Choose from a
number of engaging activities including talks, tours, workshops and
more! The event is free to attend, but booking in advance is essential
to gain entry to the museum.
Sunday 22nd February
2 pm – 3.30 pm
British Library NW1 2DB
Kenneth Williams at 100: A Celebration
22nd February would have been the 100th birthday of the inimitable
Kenneth Williams (1926–1988). In 2015, the British Library acquired
his remarkable archive, including his legendary diaries. This centenary
offers a wonderful opportunity to rediscover his wit, talent, and
enduring legacy. Expect to hear readings from Kenneth’s diaries,
reflections on his connection to the local area and shared memories
that bring his remarkable spirit to life.
22 February
11am – 1pm
Goodge Street
From Prejudice to Pride – An Exploration of Camden’s LGBT Heritage (Walking tour)
Celebrate LGBT+ History Month 2026 by walking the streets where history was made. Join this guided walk through Bloomsbury and King’s Cross and walk in the footsteps of the trailblazers.
With longstanding local resident and Camden tour guide Richard Cohen, uncover Camden’s deep and rich LGBT+ heritage. Learn about the struggle against Section 28 and the joyous celebrations of the first Same Sex weddings at Camden Town Hall.
Camden Council has partnered with Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust, a Camden based charity that supports, educates and inspires young LGBT+ people. All proceeds from the walk will go to Mosaic.
Meeting point Goodge Street station
Monday 23rd February
7 pm – 8.30 pm
British Library NW1 2DB
The Remarkable Life of Ronald Blythe
Join Patrick Barkham, Ian Collins, Jenny Hall and Helen Melody
for an evening celebrating the life and work of nature writer and
essayist Ronald Blythe. This will be an evening of conversation and
reminiscence, along with fascinating insights into Ronald Blythe’s
archive. To register for a guest place with forum+ please email
info@forumplus.org.uk
Wednesday 25th February
6.30 pm – 8 pm
Queer Britain N1C 4BH
Threads of History: AIDS Memorial Quilt, Club Kali & Queer
Heritage
Queer Britain invites you to an inspiring conversation celebrating
the newly co-curated displays that honour and preserve queer
heritage. This special event brings together voices from across the
community, including Harry Hillery, from AIDS Memorial Quilt UK; Rita
Hirani, co-founder of Club Kali; Dan Vo, Queer Britain’s Trustee; and
Jennifer Shearman, Head of Programmes and Collections at Queer
Britain.
Thursday 26th February
12 pm – 1.30 pm
The British Library NW1 2DB
LGBT History Month Collections Corner at The British Library
Discover local LGBT History in The British Library’s Collections! Join
with forum+, and the British Library Community Engagement Team,
for a show and tell session examining local LGBT history. Explore
fascinating items from the library’s collections including historical
newspapers and published works, and uncover the rich, impactful
history of Camden and Islington’s LGBT community.
Thursday 26th February
6 pm – 10 pm
The Camden Collective
NW1 8NJ
LGBTQ+ Film Fest
Join Evulve Productions for a one night only LGBTQ+ Film Fest, an
intimate underground screening event celebrating queer stories past,
present, and future – in honour of LGBTQ+ History Month. Hosted
in a password-only, speakeasy-style venue, this evening is about
community, nostalgia, resistance, and joy. Expect a cosy, welcoming
space filled with queer creativity, conversation, and connection.
Saturday 28th February
1.30 pm – 4.30 pm
Whittington PCA N19 4RS
forum+ LGBT History Month Sassify Zine Workshop
Get creative at a Zine Workshop and social with forum+ and Sassify
Zine. Find out about how the LGBT community engages with zines as
a tool for connection, reflection, and healing. Learn about zines and
zine history before having a go at creating your own unique artwork
Trans Folk Project (Free exhibition)
Until 11 March
Swiss Cottage Library
Nikolas Wereszczyński is a London-based Polish artist specialising in gouache painting and printmaking. Camden Trans Folk Project (commissioned by Love Camden) is a project aiming to explore and document the lives of Trans people within the context of folk culture. The works are based on the submissions sent in by Trans individuals with connections to Camden as well as the artist’s own experiences and reflections.
