Explore the experiences and stories of LGBTQ+ people in our collections, and find out more about the Museum's role in helping communities find new spaces for expression.
Queer Histories talks
We aim to offer a queer history talk at least once a week at The National Maritime Museum. Talks are written and performed by our Visitor Assistants and by members of our Queer History Club.
Each talk lasts around 20 minutes. (Talks are subject to change and, as a last resort cancellation due to staffing problems.)
Look out for queer history talks at 3.30pm on the following days at the National Maritime Museum:
October talks
| When | Talk title |
| Sunday 4 October | The first gay honeytrap |
| Thursday 8 October | Queer life at sea |
| Sunday 18 October | Revealing attitudes in the 19th century: the case of a ship's surgeon, executed for his sexuality |
| Thursday 22 October | The heiress with a need for speed |
| Thursday 29 October | Attitudes: A Nelson, Hamilton affair |
Highlights
Sailors and sexuality
Go in search of some of the hidden histories within the Caird Library and Archive collections
Read more
Life and love at sea: Merchant Navy oral histories
Seafarers Michael Rudder and Dominic Brown spent years working in the Merchant Navy. A chance encounter and a missed departure led to a life at sea together
Queer histories in the Navy
As part of LGBT History Month author and LGBT/gender historian, Jo Stanley, discusses queer history in the navy.
Queer Histories in the Queen’s House
Royals, courtiers and complex relationships – what can we learn from exploring the lives of those who loved at the Queen's House?
Researching queer histories: a fresh look at 'female sailors'
Queer History Club researcher Ema explores the lives of people raised as women who lived and sailed as men in the 19th century
Queer (Re)Interpretations
Queer History Club | Rocking the boat
How the Queer History Club Choir bent traditional shanties
Breaking the Spell with Bird la Bird
Watch a queer rebuff to the Queen in a ruff with performance artist Bird la Bird
Mermaids and merpeople
Tales of mermaids date back to the first written accounts of humanity, but how much do we know about the mythical sea creatures?