Gender & sexuality

Artists have used every medium imaginable to explore themes of gender and sexuality. The existence of radically different interpretations means the spectrum of gender and sexuality is limitless and constantly evolving. Reaching beyond the conventions of mainstream masculinity and femininity, and illuminating gender non-conformity in the past, the collections reveal histories of sex and spirituality, prejudice and pride, and the fight for visibility and equality.

Search “Gender & sexuality” in Explore the Collections

Features

Watch

Great images | Misty and Joey at Hornstrasse by Nan Goldin

In an era of smartphone cameras we can all take photographs, but what makes an image 'great'?

  1. Read

    The Progress Pride flag

    Based on the iconic rainbow flag from 1978, the redesign celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQ community and calls for a more inclusive society.
  2. Visit

    V&A trail: Out in the museum

    Discover stories of diverse gender and sexual identities across time, place and culture
  3. Read

    Sanitary suspenders to Mooncups: a brief history of menstrual products

    Cups, pads or underwear? Menstrual care products have been marketed and manufactured since the 19th century
  4. Read

    Powerful and pioneering women from the V&A collections

    Celebrating the activists, deities, leaders and warriors in our collections
  5. Watch

    Fashion design: Edward Crutchley

    Sumptuous and subversive fashions which disregard gender
  6. Read

    Aubrey Beardsley – decadence & desire

    "I have one aim – the grotesque. If I am not grotesque, I am nothing"
  7. Read

    The Pussyhat

    Find out how a knitted pink hat became a global symbol of female solidarity
  8. Listen

    Invisible women: uncovering gendered histories

    Discover hidden female histories in our collection

  9. Read

    Dutch wine glass – a secret love token

    Look closely to discover a hidden message of gay love engraved on this wine glass
  10. Listen

    Gender, performance and transformation: Sonja Harms

    Hear how costume maker Sonja Harms crafts alternative identities through clothing
  11. Watch

    Reading feminist magazines: ASMR

    Listen in as we turn the pages of iconic feminist magazines
  12. Read

    An introduction to women printmakers

    From Madame de Pompadour to Mary Cassatt – discover women working in print from the 1700s – 1930s
  13. Read

    Fashion in Virginia Woolf's 'Orlando'

    Curator Rosalind McKever explores fashion, gender and identity in Virgina Woolf’s novel 'Orlando'.

  14. Watch

    Fashion design: Rahemur Rahman

    Sustainable, ethical fashion, "for people who dream in colour"
  15. Watch

    Fashion in Motion: Harris Reed

    Harris Reed showcased gender-fluid highlights from his collections
  16. Watch

    Menopause in maiolica: Katrin Moye's ceramics

    Meet the cheekiest potter in England
  17. Read

    Italian Renaissance pottery – 'beautiful women' plates

    'Belle donne' plates promoted an ideal of the perfect woman: beautiful, virtuous, and not infrequently, dead.
  18. Watch

    Musical theatre costume design: Everybody's Talking About Jamie

    How do you create a character through costume?

Collection highlights

Show all
  1. photograph
    Photomontage print, by Claude Cahun, 1930, from the book 'Aveux non Avenus', printed 2004
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  2. mae West Lips sofa
    Mae West Lips sofa, designed by Salvador Dalí and Edward James, made by Green and Abbott, 1938 – 39, England
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  3. jacket
    Denim jacket, 'BLITZ' by Levi Strauss & Co., customised by Leigh Bowery, 1986, Britain
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  4. poster
    'Do Women have to be naked to get into the Met. Museum?', poster, by Guerrilla Girls, 1989, United States
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  5. photograph
    Photograph, 'Nothing to Lose XII', by Rotimi Fani-Kayode, 1989, Britain
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  6. vase
    'My Heroes', vase, by Grayson Perry, 1994, London, England, earthenware.
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  7. Drawing, 'The Abbé', by Aubrey Beardsley
    Drawing, 'The Abbé', by Aubrey Beardsley, illustration to Beardsley's story 'Under the Hill', published in The Savoy, no. 1, January 1896, p.157.
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  8. photograph
    Photograph, 'Diary of a Victorian Dandy: 17.00 hours', by Yinka Shonibare, 1998, Britain.
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  9. Woodblock print
    Woodblock print, ‘Ladies-in-Waiting with Male Entertainers in Female Attire’, by Utagawa Toyokuni I, about 1825, Japan.
    View by appointment
  10. plaster cast
    Plaster cast, 'The Dying Slave' by Michelangelo in Florence, Italy, 1513, cast by Monsieur Toquière, about 1863, Paris, France.
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  11. bust
    Bust of Queen Christina of Sweden, maker unknown, about 1830 – 50, probably Sweden.
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment

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Header image:
Photograph of a fashion shoot for Yves Saint Laurent, 'Yves Saint Laurent, 1979', by Helmut Newton, published in French Vogue, March 1979. Museum no. PH.241-1985. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London