Gender Stories

The Brighton Museum & Art Gallery is currently home to Gender Stories, an exhibition that opened at the end of January and is set to continue until 12 April 2026. This isn't just a local display; it’s a significant collaboration between museums in Brighton, Bristol, and Liverpool. The collection explores the concept of gender fluidity through various lenses—art, history, and politics—spanning different cultures and time periods. For those who follow contemporary art, the inclusion of works by Grayson Perry and David Hockney provides some familiar touchpoints within the broader historical narrative the museum is presenting.

As we move through February, which aligns with LGBTQ+ History Month, the museum has scheduled several specific activities to complement the main exhibition. On Sunday, 22 February, there are two distinct sessions worth noting. The first is Brewing Identities, described as a queer tea party and hosted by artist Tom Marshman. It’s designed as a space for conversation and connection. Running alongside this is a workshop titled Where are all the lesbians? led by Lisa Hinkins. This session takes a more investigative approach, looking at the museum’s own collections to uncover stories of lesbian identity that might have been hidden or undocumented in previous years.

There is also a more high-energy side to the programme with the A Queer Night at the Museum events. Organised in partnership with Queer Heritage South, these late-night parties transform the museum space between 19:30 and 23:00. The lineup features a variety of performances, including a fashion show by Odd Fabrication, dance, and music from various DJs, all under the direction of host Rhys’s Pieces. These evening sessions are ticketed at £15, and you can find them on the Brighton & Hove Museums booking site. It’s a different way to engage with the Gender Stories themes, moving the conversation from a quiet gallery setting into something more social and performance-based. Whether you are interested in the research-heavy side of the workshops or the atmosphere of the late-night events, the museum is covering a lot of ground this season.