February 8, 2024Top Five Free Art Events in London for LGBTQIA+ History Month

Nia Shaw, Head of Digital

Two photographs of a subject, one is clothed and the other is unclothed with their arms wrapped around themselves.
Laura Aguilar, Clothed/Unclothed #4 1990. Lent by the Tate Americas Foundation, courtesy of the Latin American Acquisitions Committee 2021. © The Laura Aguila Trust of 2016

Here at Artichoke we’ve compiled some of our team’s top events to meet fellow queer people, learn more about LGBTQIA+ history and see joyful art. Whether you’re an artist or an art lover, there’s plenty to enjoy for free.

While LGBTQIA+ love and identity have always existed, the experiences of the community have often been erased or rewritten. Yet, queer artists, from Michelangelo to Zanele Muholi, have always found ways to reframe the picture.

Founded in 2004 following the repeal of Section 28, LGBTQIA+ History Month aims to increase visibility of the histories, lives and experiences of queer people. This year the theme is ‘Medicine #UnderTheScope’, chosen to shine a light on LGBTQIA+ peoples’ contribution to the field of Medicine as well as the health inequalities faced by the community today.

LGBTQIA+ inclusive education is as important as ever and extraordinary queer art should be accessible to everyone, which is why we’ve compiled some of the best arts events you can enjoy in London for free.

LGBTQIA+ Tours at Tate Modern and Tate Britain 

Since Tate Britain’s 2023 re-hang, queer stories and representation are more visible than ever on the walls of the Gallery.

Discover more about some of the collection’s most impactful queer artists and their subjects including Nan Goldin, Laura Aguilar, Duncan Grant and Sunil Gupta in a free LGBTQIA+ guided tour of Tate Modern or Tate Britain.

Location: Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG. Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
Dates: Various dates throughout February

Find out more about tours at Tate Modern and Tate Britain

Queer Clash Mornings

Raze Collective and Artsadmin (our Toynbee Studios neighbours) have teamed up to present the relaxed, monthly meet-up series: Queer Clash Mornings.

Being a queer freelancer can have its lonely moments and Queer Clash Mornings want to dedicate more space to just connecting. This is a space for LGBTQ+ creatives to get together, exchange, chat, network and meet other queers doing creative things and trying to make it work. Each month they invite a different LGBTQ+ creative to talk about their journey, followed by a short Q&A and a general chit-chat. There will be biscuits, drinks and WiFi.

Location: Toynbee Studios 28 Commercial Street London, E1 6AB
Dates: 19 January – 14 March 2024

Book online

LGBTQIA+ History Archives Drop-in Session at LSE Library

Delve into the history LGBTQIA+ literature, liberation and trailblazing in the LSE Library archives.

LSE’s friendly team of curators and archivists are on hand to answer any questions you have about materials from ‘Switchboard’ call logs (the national LGBTQIA+ support line) to lesbian magazines such as Shebang, Artemis and Sequel and Bi-monthly (the newsletter of the London Bisexuality Group).

Location: 10 Portugal St, London WC2A 2HD
Date: 29 February 2024

Book online

Out at Sea at the National Maritime Museum 

Visit the National Maritime Museum for a day-long festival celebrating queer maritime history through the ages. Programme highlights include a zine-making workshop celebrating people assigned female at birth who lived as men at sea and a ‘Queer Love Tokens’ workshop.

Location: Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF
Date: 17 February 2024

Find out more and book free tickets.

Queer Life-Drawing Workshop at the Wellcome Collection

Build your portfolio and improve your drawing technique at this free life-drawing workshop, which platforms models from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. Whether you already love to draw or would just like to try something new, the Queer Life-Drawing Workshop is open to all levels.

All art materials are provided, and there will be regular breaks throughout the workshop, with a longer break for lunch. This event is designed for 14- to 19-year-olds and disabled young people aged 14–25 years.

Location: 183 Euston Rd, London NW1 2BE
Date: 24 February 2024

Find out more about book your workshop place via The Wellcome Collection.

Find more events happening this month all across the UK on the LGBTQIA+ History Month Event Calendar.