News - The British National Portrait Gallery celebrates the contribution of gay people and gay icons to history and culture with the first portrait exhibition on the subject.



60 photographs selected by the likes of Elton John, Billie Jean King, Ian McKellen and Sarah Waters celebrate the contribution of gay people - and the significance of the gay icon - to history and culture. Ten selectors in total have worked with the Gallery to make their own personal choices of six individuals, their 'icons'. Not only does this exhibition include many well-known icons, who may or may not be gay themselves, it also reveals some surprises and encourages a wide audience to think about familiar faces in new ways.

Coinciding with the fortieth anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York, this exhibition focuses on portraits of both historical and modern figures such as civil rights campaigner Harvey Milk, writers Quentin Crisp and Joe Orton, musicians K.D. Lang and Will Young, entertainers Ellen DeGeneres and Lily Savage.

Sandy Nairne, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, London, says: 'Gay Icons is an exhibition in which inspiring stories – both private and public – are shared. These are stories of brave lives and significant achievements, told through iconic photographic images chosen by selectors who are themselves icons.



Gay Icons
2 July - 18 October 2009
Porter Gallery
Admission £5
Concessions £4.50/£4
Free for Gallery Supporters

Check out www.npg.org.uk for more!