‘How I wish this selection had been available to me when I was young and trying to make sense of my reactions to the world. How inspirational to have had portraits of the great and the good staring out at me telling me that I was not by any measure on my own.’

Sandi Toksvig

WAHEED ALLI / ALAN HOLLINGHURST / ELTON JOHN / JACKIE KAY / BILLIE JEAN KING / IAN MCKELLEN / CHRIS SMITH / BEN SUMMERSKILL / SANDI TOKSVIG / SARAH WATERS

This exhibition brings together ten selectors, chaired by Sandi Toksvig, each of whom is a prominent gay figure in contemporary culture and society. Each selector was asked to name six people, who may or may not be gay, whom they personally regard as inspirational, or an icon for them.

Their choices provide a fascinating range of figures – some heroic, some very famous, others less well known. In the exhibition the selectors write about their choices and share their own convictions, experiences and feelings. The display also features specially commissioned portraits of the selectors by Mary McCartney.

If you visit the exhibition you can fill in a card to tell us who has been an inspiration in your life. Selected entries will be displayed within the exhibition and all the completed cards will be entered into a monthly prize draw to win a signed copy of the Gay Icons catalogue, signed by Sandi Toksvig.