Bolton Museum will be the only venue in the north of England to host a special exhibition celebrating diversity and cultural expression.
‘Desire, love, identity: exploring LGBTQ histories in Bolton’ will open from Friday, March 15, until Sunday, May 26.
The exhibition, hosted in partnership with the British Museum, was put together to mark 50 years since homosexuality was partially decriminalised in England by the Sexual Offences Act.
Displays will offer insights into LGBTQ experiences by examining objects from around the world, covering ancient civilisations to the modern day.
The exhibition will feature items from both the British Museum and Bolton Museum collections.
Coins, prints and small sculptures will represent past, recent, and ongoing expressions of same-sex desire, love and identity.
Bolton Central Library and Museum will also hold a series of events to complement and expand on the themes of the exhibition.
The Outing the Past Festival on Saturday, March 16, will feature a variety of speakers discussing LGBTQ issues.
Other events will include a lecture on same sex desire in ancient Egypt, performances of ‘The Adhesion of Love’ by playwright Stephen M Hornby and a family fun day.
Bolton Council Leader and Greater Manchester Combined Authority lead for culture, Cllr Linda Thomas, said:
“Bolton has a proud history of supporting the LGBTQ community and I am delighted we will be hosting this exhibition in partnership with the British Museum.
“To be the only venue in the north to host such a significant national exhibition shows how well-regarded Bolton is as a cultural destination.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors to what will be a fascinating and enlightening experience.”
Hartwig Fischer, Director of the British Museum said:
“The British Museum’s collection offers unique insights into LGBTQ histories of desire, love and identity.
“The selection of objects drawn together for this touring exhibition remind us that same-sex love and desire and gender diversity have always been an integral part of human experience.
“The exhibition is part of the British Museum’s collaborative work with partners across the UK to reach new audiences and broaden access to the many stories within its collection and we are delighted that at Bolton Museum it will be complemented by objects relating directly to LGBTQ histories and experiences in Bolton itself.”
For more information about the exhibition and the conference, visit www.boltonlams.co.uk, follow @BoltonLMS on Twitter, or Bolton Libraries and Museum page on Facebook.
Pictured are Badges and campaign pins promoting various LGBTQ campaigns throughout history and music hall performer and male impersonator Vesta Tilley