16 MAY 2024

Queer Britain Director and Co-Founder

A LETTER FROM

JOSEPH GALLIANO-DOIG MBE

ANNOUNCEMENT

After over seven years as a charity, two years open, 80,000 visitors, 100s of volunteers and a clutch of awards, it is time for me to step down as Director of Queer Britain. I will hand the baton on to a new leader who can take Queer Britain to its next stage of growth with a fresh burst of energy, as I find my next exciting career challenge.

Creating the UK's first and only physical LGBTQ+ museum from scratch has been the crowning pride of my career and life. Every day I hear stories about how much Queer Britain and its mission means and I am filled with gratitude.

However, the museum has always been bigger than any individual and we have built a highly effective, passionate and skilled team and Boards that fill me with confidence that it no-longer needs its campaigning Co-Founder at the helm.

I'm grateful to the Chair, to the Board, to the communities and people who support us; the team, donors, volunteers, advisors, companies and the myriad organisations and brilliant people we work with and for.

I am deeply grateful to my beautiful husband, Mark, who has held my hand throughout and many times carried me… as well as fitting shelves and painting walls.

I will always be part of the Queer Britain family, cheering it on, and will volunteer and advocate for the museum in any way I can, and my husband and I have left the majority of our estate to the charity. I'm so excited to see its future.

Thank you all for being part of this amazing journey. Together, we have made history and shown that when we work together as communities and when we focus on welcoming all of our friends, families and allies, in all our glorious diversity, we can achieve anything.

Ian Mehrtens, Co-Founder and Chair, and the Board, have begun work to recruit a brilliant new leader and I will formally step down when that person has been appointed and a careful handover completed.

Joseph Galliano-Doig MBE

Director and Co-Founder