ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

UK Museums Highlight LGBTQ+ Contributions to Science and Technology

exhibition · 2026-03-14

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

Sources