27 February 2026
- 14:00 to 15:00
Talk
Hidden Love: LGBTQ+ relationships in the archives
How did people defy state prejudice to find love and relationships?
- Date
- 27 February 2026
- Location
- Online
About this image
National Portrait Gallery, London
The National Archives’ collections offer a valuable insight into how the government interacted with and viewed LGBTQ+ communities in the past, at a time when the state played a major role in repressing and controlling the lives of gay and bisexual people.
Our records reflect the policing and regulation of sexuality and gender identity but also moments of defiance, everyday acceptance and queer joy. These include the innovative and creative ways members of the same sex met and communicated with each other to forge relationships.
From calling cards, illicit love letters and lonely hearts ads, discover queer relationships of friends, families and lovers in our collections through the stories of Anne Lister, Oscar Wilde and others.
Event details
Dates for this event
How to join online
What you need to join
This event will be live streamed on the website of our streaming service, Vimeo.
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Watch after the event
This talk will be available to watch after the event, using the same link you will receive to join it live. It will remain available for a limited period of 48 hours after the event has finished, unless otherwise stated.
