Ian Wilmott presented the museum with one of the "last remaining original" Never Going Underground posters
The London Transport Museum has secured a rare artifact for its permanent archives: an original "Never Going Underground" campaign poster from 1988. Presented by activist Ian Wilmott, the poster features a clever adaptation of the iconic transport roundel and serves as a testament to the intersection of grassroots equality campaigns and public infrastructure.
This donation is a cornerstone of the "Pride, Passengers and Personnel" project, a collaborative research initiative between the museum and the University of Westminster. The project is dedicated to uncovering the often-overlooked narratives of LGBTQ+ passengers and transit workers during the 1970s and 1980s. According to lead researchers, this period was pivotal for the community, marked by both increased visibility and significant legislative challenges.
The Never Underground campaign poster was used during a mass protest in Manchester in 1988
Wilmott explained that the poster was produced in direct opposition to Section 28, a restrictive clause enacted by the government of that country in May 1988 to prohibit local authorities from "promoting" homosexuality. The resulting campaign mobilized one of the largest demonstrations in the region's history and played a decisive role in the eventual repeal of the law. Museum curators stated that such items provide essential social context, allowing future generations to explore themes ranging from urban cruising spaces to the impact of the HIV and AIDS crisis on the transit workforce.
European Editorial Office: John