“Visibility has to be protected”
On Weds 4th February 2026, MS Amlin’s LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group Open & Out is hosting a private guided visit to Queer Britain, the UK’s first and only LGBTQ+ museum, and offering 25 spots for Link members. Here, Open & Out co-lead (and Link co-Chair) Maurice Rose reveals the inspiration behind the event, who would enjoy and benefit from it, and how to claim your free spot.
Q: What inspired this event? What is it that you find so inspiring or motivational about Queer Britain in particular?
A: You don’t just see famous names or big protest moments. You see letters, photos, clothing, flyers, proof that queer history was made by people living ordinary lives under extraordinary pressure. That makes the past feel reachable, not mythic.
Queer Britain is honest about how fragile gains have been. Laws change, attitudes regress, spaces disappear. The museum quietly reminds you that visibility has to be protected, it doesn’t stick around by default.v
Q: What kind of person do you think will most enjoy and benefit from this experience?
A: Someone who is interested in Queer History and Culture, someone with extensive knowledge or none at all. It’s an opportunity to explore a Queer archive in a new environment, outside of the City.
Q: How can Link members secure their place on this event? By signing up to the event on our Eventbrite.
A: Spaces are limited, so sign up sharp! Event Tickets
Q. Since visiting Queer Britain, what’s the most interesting or surprising thing you’ve learned there about LGBTQ+ history?
A: The thing that tends to surprise people most is this: LGBTQ+ history in Britain isn’t just about protest and pride, it’s also about survival in plain sight.
Another genuinely surprising thread is how recent some of the most damaging laws were. Section 28, which banned the “promotion” of homosexuality in schools, only came into force in 1988 and wasn’t fully repealed until 2003. Many LGBTQ+ adults today grew up under it.
That closeness in time makes the progress feel less inevitable and more hard-won.
Q: Which are the aspects of LGBTQ+ history or culture that you personally find most intriguing now and that you’d like to learn even more about?
A: I’m most intrigued by the less visible sides of LGBTQ+ history, how people communicated, formed relationships, and built meaning when being open wasn’t safe. In particular, queer language as a tool for survival, everyday domestic and chosen-family life, and experiences that existed before or outside modern identity labels.
I’d like to learn more about how humour, creativity, and resilience helped queer communities endure, and how these quieter histories continue to shape LGBTQ+ culture today.
Q: What are some of the key achievements of MS Amlin’s Open and Out LGBTQ+ resource group over the last couple of years, or that you’re most proud of?
A: Being the first and most established ERG at MS Amlin, whilst supporting increased disclosure rates and putting on some really great events
Q: For anyone in the insurance industry looking for advice on how to run an LGBTQ+ resource group or put on events like this one, what advice would you give them?
A: Start small, these things take time. It needs to be authentic and have engagement from senior leaders. Before planning events, listen to LGBTQ+ employees across roles and seniority. Don’t assume what people want or need. Collaborate with organisations, museums, or charities (like Queer Britain) that bring depth and credibility. Let them lead on content rather than instrumentalising their stories.
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