A ground-breaking and vital exhibition which marks the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of male homosexual acts in England and Wales (1967 Sexual Offences Act).

In Birmingham, this major exhibition will feature over 80 modern and contemporary artworks by internationally renowned artists who explore themes of gender, sexuality and identity in art. Taking 1967 as a starting point, the exhibition will reveal new research into LGBT history and visual culture showcasing artworks from The Arts Council Collection, National Museums Liverpool and Birmingham’s collection.

Conceived by The Walker Art Gallery, and in partnership with Birmingham Museums Trust, Coming Out will be reimagined for audiences in Birmingham and visitors can expect to see major new loans by artists including Grayson Perry, Sarah Lucas, Margaret Harrison, Chila Kumari Burman and Charlotte Prodger, alongside a series of stunning contemporary art interventions in Birmingham’s collection displays. An exciting and innovative programme of events will be happening to coincide with the exhibition for visitors of all ages who can participate in a series of arts activities such as life drawing with a Drag Queen.

The public launch of this exhibition will be on Saturday December 2nd where we will be partnering with Shout Festival and Birmingham LGBT for a series of specially commissioned performances and activities to celebrate the opening of the exhibition. Please check the website nearer the time for event listings.

Coming Out: Sexuality, Gender and Identity is a touring exhibition conceived by National Museums Liverpool, in partnership with Birmingham Museums Trust as part of the Arts Council Collection National Partners Programme 2016-19. Coming Out is part of the Arts Council Collection National Partnership Programme which sees four major UK galleries working together to curate, host, and share a series of exciting and innovative new exhibitions with works drawn from the Arts Council Collection. The National Partner venues are Birmingham Museums Trust, Walker Art Gallery National Museums Liverpool, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Towner Gallery, Eastbourne.