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How did people defy state prejudice to find love and relationships?

The National Archives’ collections offer a valuable insight into how the government interacted with and viewed LGBTQ+ communities in the past, at a time when the state played a major role in repressing and controlling the lives of gay and bisexual people.

Our records reflect the policing and regulation of sexuality and gender identity but also moments of defiance, everyday acceptance and queer joy. These include the innovative and creative ways members of the same sex met and communicated with each other to forge relationships.

From calling cards, illicit love letters and lonely hearts ads, discover queer relationships of friends, families and lovers in our collections through the stories of Anne Lister, Oscar Wilde and others.