UK Museums Highlight LGBTQ+ Contributions to Science and Technology
Several UK museums are featuring stories of LGBTQ+ individuals in science and technology as part of LGBTQ+ History Month 2026. The National Railway Museum showcases Lillian Lawrence, a trans woman who made railway modeling accessible through her writing. The Science Museum highlights Angela Helen Clayton, a trans woman who advanced nuclear safety protocols and advocated for trans rights, receiving an MBE in 2025. The Science and Industry Museum presents a portrait of Alan Turing by Baiba Auria, exploring his computing legacy and posthumous pardon. Locomotion features Ron Whalley, a gay engineer who designed electronic braking systems for high-speed trains. The National Science and Media Museum recognizes Rebecca Heineman, a transgender video game pioneer who contributed to over 60 games. These narratives are presented through museum collections and tours, emphasizing diverse contributions to technological fields.
Key facts
- LGBTQ+ History Month 2026 features stories across multiple UK museums
- Lillian Lawrence wrote extensively on railway modeling, making the hobby accessible
- Angela Helen Clayton received an MBE in 2025 for trans rights advocacy
- Alan Turing portrait by Baiba Auria will be displayed at Science and Industry Museum
- Ron Whalley designed electronic braking for Intercity 125 trains
- Rebecca Heineman was a pioneering transgender video game designer
Entities
Artists
- Baiba Auria
Institutions
- National Railway Museum
- Science Museum
- Science and Industry Museum
- Locomotion
- National Science and Media Museum
Locations
- London
- Manchester
- Greenwich
- UK