Rainbow Plaques to Mark Brighton and Hove LGBTQ+ History From 2027

Brighton and Hove City Council is launching a rainbow plaque scheme to mark the city's LGBTQ+ history, with the first plaque due to be unveiled in early 2027.

The council says the plaques will recognise the people, places and events that have shaped LGBTQ+ life in the city. It has not yet said who or what the first plaque will honour, or where it will go.

How the scheme will work

• First plaque. Unveiled in early 2027. The council says details of the plaque, its location and the unveiling will be announced ahead of the launch.
• Nominations. These open after the first unveiling, for the second plaque. The council says it will explain how to nominate at the launch.
• Every year. After the first plaque, the council's ambition is to unveil a new one each year during Pride week.

What the council says

Councillor David McGregor, Cabinet member for Economy, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, said: “LGBTQ+ history is part of Brighton & Hove's history, and it deserves a permanent place on our streets.”

He said the plaques would help tell the stories of people who fought for change and the places where LGBTQ+ people found friendship, support and the freedom to be themselves.

He added: “We want residents to help shape this project. Opening nominations after the first unveiling will give people the chance to share the histories that matter to them, including stories that haven't had the recognition they deserve.”

He said he hoped unveiling a plaque during Pride week would become a tradition for the city.

Where rainbow plaques come from

Rainbow plaques are already used elsewhere in the country. Studio Voltaire, the arts organisation that leads the Rainbow Plaques programme in London with the London LGBT+ Forums' Network, says the idea was established in 2018 by York Civic Trust and the York LGBT Forum, to honour the diarist Anne Lister.

Its London plaques include one for Oscar Wilde at Clapham Junction station, unveiled in 2019, and one for the film My Beautiful Laundrette in 2021. Five more followed from 2023, including plaques for the London Lighthouse and the Black Lesbian and Gay Centre.