As part of our work with Brighton & Hove Pride and the Pride Community Foundation, we were delighted to research and design an exhibition tracing over six decades of LGBTQ+ history as part of the 2025 United in Pride celebrations in Brighton.
Created for United in Pride and Brighton Pride, the exhibition charts the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights, from the shadows of criminalisation to the visibility and activism of today.
Told through photography, archival milestones, and community stories, the exhibition captures the local and global story of LGBTQ+ resilience, celebration, and struggle.
Key moments include:
- The 1967 decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales
- Brighton’s first Pride march in 1972 by the SGLF
- The devastating impact of HIV/AIDS and the community-led response
- The repeal of Section 28 and the legalisation of same-sex marriage
- The rise of Trans Pride Brighton from 2013 to today
- Recent challenges to trans rights and the UK’s fall in international equality rankings
Brighton features prominently throughout. The city has always been at the heart of LGBTQ+ organising – from hosting the first Sussex Gay Liberation Front events, to leading the UK’s largest and most inclusive pride celebrations. Brighton Pride has become a symbol of community strength, while Trans Pride Brighton now draws thousands each year.
The exhibition reflects on a proud past, celebrates hard-won victories, and confronts the challenges ahead. It invites everyone to stand together, honour shared history, and fight for a future rooted in equality, safety, and inclusion.
Exhibition Dates: 21 July – 01 September 2025
Location: Jubilee Library, Jubilee Street, Brighton BN1 1GE
