Sir Elton John and David Furnish at home in their art gallery (c) Dave Benett Getty Images for the V&A
Elton John and David Furnish back museum mission to preserve LGBTQ+ stories and spotlight unheard histories across generations.
London museum Queer Britain has announced that its newest patrons are musician and philanthropist Elton John and his husband, film producer and Chair of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, David Furnish.
Speaking about their new patronage, Elton John and David Furnish said: “A lot of the UK’s LGBTQ+ history is unseen and unheard, or has been purposefully hidden away. It’s wonderful to now have a UK museum dedicated to preserving and reclaiming LGBTQ+ history while inspiring future generations.
“It’s a museum for everyone—to learn, understand, and embrace what it means to be LGBTQ+ today. We are both delighted to support Queer Britain as Patrons.”
The couple has previously collaborated with museums and galleries, including at the V&A, where 300 rare prints on loan from John’s private collection went on display in the exhibition ‘Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection’.
V&A announces new collaboration with Sir Elton John Photography Collection
The museum’s Director Ermietirus, Joseph Galliano-Doig MBE previously published a book series, ‘Dear Me: A Letter to my Sixteen-Year-Old Self’ which raised over £120k for charities including the Elton John Aids Foundation.
The announcement of the new patrons comes as the museum reveals its Special Exhibition programme for 2025.
It said: “Our special exhibition programme will tell unheard stories and celebrate pivotal moments in our history, bringing more Reclaimed and Preserved stories to Queer Britain visitors.”
Upcoming exhibitions include ‘20 Years of UK Black Pride’, “chronicling the movement’s evolution from a small gathering in 2004 to the world’s largest celebration for LGBTQI+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American, and Middle Eastern descent.”
Also programmed is ‘Top by Claye Bowler’, “A deeply personal exhibition exploring the artist’s seven-year journey through the UK’s healthcare system to access gender-affirming top surgery.”
