Queer the Pier is an exciting new exhibition at Brighton & Hove Museum and Art Gallery. Using genuine artefacts from the pier itself, such as the ghoul mask from the ghost train and a horse from a merry-go-round, this interactive exhibition captures all the fun of the pier to tell the amazing story of the unique contribution made to LGBTIQ history by Brighton and the surrounds.
It’s a community curated display and takes a closer look at queer people. in the area. Stretching back over more than 200 years of history this exhibition celebrates the lives of the writers, artists, performers, activists and thousands of ordinary people who have made the area so fabulously queer. Through audio-visual, objects and ephemera from the museum’s own collection and items lent by local collectors it brings their incredible histories to life.
The exhibition includes an arcade of interactive games with a mechanical fortune teller providing new predictions compiled 
by local gay romanies, a Donkey Derby and artworks created especially by local artists of symbols of queerdom.
Famous local drag artist Dave Lynn’s costumes from performances at the Queen’s Arms Brighton are also on show. Also on display is the typewriter used by Peter Burton (1945-2011) the godfather of English Gay journalism. From the early 70’s he was writing for Gay News and then from 1983 until 2003 for the Gay Times.
With a queer eye on the future, this mould-breaking exhibition engages with artists from across the broad spectrum of diversity to create new queer works and experiences in response to the exhibition.
‘Queer people have always played an important role in Brighton’s history. This community curated exhibition celebrates this fact.’ says Daren Kay one of the volunteer curators. It makes a real must see if in Brighton.
Brighton has for years had a huge LGBTIQ community and it is widely acknowledged to have one of the UK’s most popular Gay Pride events. Last year it had 100 floats and Kylie Minogue headlining in the park. This year Pride being the week around 1st August with 450,00 thousand expected to visit the town when Mariah Carey will be performing
The exhibition opens Saturday 22nd February and will last for 2 years with new examples added over time.
https://brightonmuseums.org.uk/ Free for Members and Residents
Graham Fraser Queerguru’s Culture, Fashion and Arts Correspondent was once half of the award winning fashion designer duo Workers For Freedom. Years spent working in the luxury end of International fashion he now lives with his partner the artist Richard Nott and their two Cavapoos Albert and Raf in a stunning renovated 1950’s house on the edge of the Sussex Downs with distant sea views.
