WITH everything from a coin depicting a bearded Queen Victoria to a wall hanging commemorating Native Americans who have died of AIDS, Bolton Museum’s latest exhibition is fascinatingly thought-provoking.

Desire, love, identity: exploring LGBTQ histories in Bolton is a joint exhibition with the world famous British Museum and runs until May 26.

Ranging chronologically from ancient times to the present day, the exhibition explores the way same-sex desire and gender diversity have been represented throughout history and across cultures.

As well as famous figures like the Renaissance artist Michelangelo, the display also highlights the history and personal stories of LGBTQ people who are less well-known, including individuals and groups from Bolton.

Based upon Professor Richard Parkinson’s award-winning book , A Little Gay History, Bolton Museum is the only Northern venue to host this touring collection.

Bolton’s Matt Cain, who was editor in chief of Attitude magazine and whose latest book, The Madonna of Bolton, is a bestseller, features in the exhibition.

He said: “I think it’s brilliant that Bolton Museum is leading the way. It’s celebrating the town’s LGBT past, not simply tolerating it.

“And I never thought I’d end up being a museum exhibit at the age of 44!”

Pierrette Squires, conservation and collections Officer at the museum, and chair of  Bolton LGBT Partnership, said: "The LGBT community in Bolton have been actively working to be visible, increase acceptance and reduce hate crime since 2015.

"The exhibition tour announcement -a year of anniversaries; 50years since the first ever Pride, 21years since the Bolton 7 were convicted and 5 years of Bolton Prides - felt like the perfect timing to show how far Bolton has come."

She added: "The collection from the British Museum enables us to explain how Bolton’s history fits into the world context both historically and geographically.

"The British Museum items encompass 11,000 years of history with items from Africa, Palestine, America, Japan and many other countries, the hope is that this range of items will show people that gender and sexual diversity are not restricted to modern times or western cultures and finally end on a positive note with stories from the current community showing that the situation for LGBT people in Bolton now is rapidly improving.

"This exhibition also demonstrates to people that Bolton Museum and Library Service is an inclusive organisation and safe space to come into.

"We hope that with continued visible presence in Bolton LGBT lives will be accepted as  a normal part of our society."