OTP 2021 Hub - Bishopsgate Institute
Bishopsgate Institute was "erected for the benefit of the public" in 1894, with the motto "I never stop learning". Our purpose has not changed. We continue to be a home for ideas and debate, learning and enquiry. We are a haven in the city, where culture, heritage and learning meet, and our mission is to inspire independent thought, connect past and present.
Our beautiful historic building is open to all, and we are a vibrant, curious community. We provide welcoming spaces for people to learn and flourish, and offer a diverse range of activities: a library of 150,000 books; nationally-important archives with collections on London history, socialism, activism, feminism, LGBTQ+ history, freethought and humanism; courses for adults from political history to podcasting; and cultural events from music concerts to fetish festivals.
We are hugely excited to be participating in OUTing the Past once again. It's a wonderful opportunity to bring out our LGBTQ+ collections, and bring them to life with a roster of dynamic speakers. This year we intend to explore as many different aspects of these collections as possible, ranging from subjects such as the history of the Gay Liberation Front, and the lived experience of transgender individuals. We look forward to celebrating LGBT+ history, our collections, and our line up of speakers with you!
Please note this event will be hosted via Zoom.
However, depending on government guidance, where possible we are running a covid-safe library service, and would be delighted to welcome you to explore our collections in 2021. You can make an appointment to access our archives here:
https://www.bishopsgate.org.uk/archives
If you would like to learn more about Bishopsgate Institute and our archives please feel free to explore our website: