The exhibitions you must see this Pride Month
From celebrations of queer love to deep-dives into LGBTQ+ icons, 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 contemporary artist who's created a zoo of hybrid animal sculptures, to a blockbuster exhibition which spotlights a queer icon, 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
Jonathan Baldock
Discover a contemporary artist who has created a zoo of animals that engage in same-sex sexual behaviour, from elephants to crabs. Jonathan Baldock has transformed each one into a shape-shifting being, combining them with mythological creatures and human features cast from his life partner, Rafał Zajko.
The World of King James VI and I
Glittering jewels, portraits of (alleged) lovers, exposing letters. Dive into the life of an extravagant Stuart king who became the subject of royal gossip as whisperers probed his sexuality. But was it based on fact? Or was it fuelled by bitter rivals? Dive into queer history, national identity and more in this fascinating exhibition shining a light on the first monarch to rule over England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Leigh Bowery!
The iconic performer, club promoter and fashion designer Leigh Bowery gets the all-star treatment at Tate Modern. Be dazzled by his boundary-pushing designs – which treated clothing and makeup as painting and sculptural works and challenged preconceptions of the body, sexuality and gender.
The Holly Johnson Story
Celebrate Frankie Goes to Hollywood's frontman Holly Johnson in this major exhibition, which spotlights his creativity and pioneering influence on culture in 80s Britain. Discover the highs and lows of his evolution into a global superstar and LGBTQ+ icon, alongside stories from the community and the impact of an HIV diagnosis.
Level Playing Field: Stories from Liverpool Trans & Enby FC by photographer Marge Bradshaw
Award-winning photographer Marge Bradshaw captures grassroots football team Liverpool Trans and Enby FC, amplifying the voices of underrepresented players from the LGBTQ+ community.
Lily Parr: Football's first female superstar
And for fans of the beautiful game... Learn about one of football's first female superstars and an LGBTQ+ icon in this exhibition celebrating the life and legacy of Lily Parr. In spite of the Football Association banning the women's game in 1921, Parr continued playing and scored an impressive 1,000 goals during her three-decade career.