The exhibitions you must see this Pride Month
From celebrations of queer communities to deep-dives into LGBTQ+ artists, plan a visit to one or more of these brilliant exhibitions this Pride Month.
June is Pride Month, an annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community's rich history and achievements, while recognising the continued struggles that many still face. The month is filled with joyful festivities that highlight the importance of creating a vibrant world that champions acceptance, diversity and love.
To help you plan what to see during Pride Month, we've selected some of the best exhibitions that you can visit to celebrate, experience incredible work by LGBTQ+ artists, and explore their histories.
From a 20th-century photographer who created era-defining portraits of public figures, to a celebration of queer comic book artists from the 1940s to today, scroll down to see our top picks. Plus, find more to explore in our full exhibition and events listings.
And don't forget to pack your National Art Pass for great benefits at lots of these venues.
Discover LGBTQ+ exhibitions with an Art Pass
Cecil Beaton: Staging Icons
From Marilyn Monroe to Fred Astaire, Cecil Beaton photographed some of the most idolised faces of the 20th century. In this major exhibition spotlighting over 60 images from the National Portrait Gallery's collection, get up close to Beaton's era-defining portraits that carved the public's perception of his famous subjects. Dive into his distinct approach, which embraced stage design, costumes, props and dramatic lighting to create photographs that spotlighted his love of the theatre.
David Hockney: A Year in Normandie and Some Other Thoughts about Painting
Celebrate the beauty of the everyday in a series of new paintings by David Hockney, a celebrated queer British artist who has made significant contributions to 20th- and 21st-century art. A highlight is the diplay of his monumental frieze spanning 90 metres in length, A Year in Normandie. Inspired by the historic Bayeaux Tapestry, which goes on display at the British Museum in September, Hockney captures the changing of the seasons throughout the year.
Queer as Comics
Meet the trailblazing queer comic-makers who've used their art to tell stories about their community. From a cartoon strip by Tove Jansson from 1954 which appeared in a London newspaper to a contemporary graphic novel by Lee Lai published in 2022 – trace how this art form has preserved and celebrated LGBTQIA+ histories since the 1940s.
Robert MacBryde and Robert Colquhoun: Artists, Lovers, Outsiders
Curated by writer and broadcaster Damian Barr, this exhibition charts the life and work of creative and romantic duo Robert MacBryde and Robert Colquhoun – AKA the 'Two Roberts'. They first met at Glasgow School of Art in 1933, before becoming key figures in 20th-century British art and influencing fellow artists such as Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud. From 1930s Glasgow to London during the Blitz, discover the stories of their extraordinary lives and careers, told through their art.
Ten.8 afterimage
Ten.8 was a pioneering photography journal from the Midlands that shone a light on society, culture and politics during the 1980s and early 1990s. One section of the exhibition explores sexuality and the body, highlighting photographers who represented queer experiences in their work. Highlights include images by Ajamu X, Sunil Gupta and Ingrid Pollard. And did you know? This exhibition is supported by Art Fund.
Revolution, Revelation, Reinforcement: Queer Legacies in Sheffield’s Art Collection
Celebrate queer stories, told through works of art and objects from Sheffield's art collections, and uncover how they reflect our lives today. Centring on three core themes – revolution, revelation and reinforcement – the exhibition couples contemporary and historic items together to reveal the legacy and continuity of queer lives. Don't miss the bespoke wallpaper by local artist Lisa O'Hara, inspired by workshops with local community groups.