
This tour will take place in person.
Why was John Gielgud told to see a doctor? How many lesbian pulp fiction novels can one library hold? We are a treasure trove of LGBTQ+ history with extensive archives holding cuttings, badges, and banners – and even a set of wizard’s robes. By the end of this tour, you’ll know all about them.
Explore the different collections we hold on LGBTQ+ history through our Archives.
Who is this tour for?
This tour is for anyone with an interest in LGBTQ+ history.

Practical information
- This tour goes down into our archive store, and we regret that this tour is not accessible to anyone who uses a wheelchair or who is unable to use steps or stairs.
How we’re keeping you safe
April 2022 update: Keeping you safe and healthy is our number one priority.
If you test positive for Covid-19 or are asked to isolate and are not able to attend your class or pre-booked event, please contact the Bishopsgate Box Office for further information (enquiries@bishopsgate.org.uk). Please do not come to the Institute in person if you have symptoms or have tested positive.
Wearing a face mask is no longer compulsory but we ask you to consider others when in our building and especially when spending time in crowded and enclosed spaces where you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet. You will see many of our staff and volunteers continuing to wear face masks and we are keeping the perspex screens at our reception desks.
Bishopsgate Institute has strict cleaning protocols in place and ventilation throughout the building. There are hand-sanitising stations available throughout the building and touch-free drinking fountains. Find out more about how we’re keeping you safe.
Image: Campaign for Homosexual Equality Archive

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Meet the Host

Stefan Dickers
Stef is the Special Collections and Archives Manager at Bishopsgate Institute and has been responsible for the development of the Institute's collections on the history of London, protest and activism, and LGBTQ+ Britain. He qualified as an archivist in 2001 and started at Bishopsgate in 2005.
Previous to this, Stef worked in the archives of the London School of Economics and Senate House Library. He will talk at extraordinary length about the collections whenever asked and regularly entertains groups of students, groups and family/local history societies on the wonders they can find in the Special Collections and Archives at the Institute.
Need to Know
Metadata
- Time
- 18:30 - 20:00
- Price
- £5
- Day
- Thursday
- Duration
- 90
- Venue
- Library
- Tutor
- Stefan Dickers
- Max Students
- 20
- No. of Sessions
- 1
- Course Code
- AR22304