Step through pride with Camden’s LGBT+ History Month programme
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.
“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
Key events
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.
Further information
forum+, a close partner of Camden and Islington Councils, has put together a comprehensive guide to LGBT+ History Month in the boroughs, featuring all external and independent events across both boroughs.