Our History

Albany Trust was set up in 1958 by some of the most important gay rights campaigners of the 20th century. Our archive, based at the London School of Economics and Political Science, holds documents that record some of the key events in LGBT+ history. This is now available to scholars worldwide. Albany was at the forefront of campaigns to address the needs of LGBT+ individuals in the UK, who at the time lived under the shadow of legal and social discrimination.

Antony Grey was one of our founding members. Antony’s efforts eventually culminated in the recognition of the discrimination and mistreatment that LGBT+ people had suffered, including from the mental health profession. The courage that Antony and others at Albany showed forged a pathway to helping society grasp the opportunity for change. This produced the 1967 law reforms following from the far-sighted recommendations of Lord Wolfenden’s enquiry.

We have led the way in training and educating professionals about the needs of the LGBT+ community. Our research and education work has increased public understanding. At a time when Albany’s was almost a lone voice we have challenged deep-seated homophobia within professions, within the Establishment, within the Church and within the more intolerant sections of UK society. For over 60 years, we have worked tirelessly to improve the wellbeing of the UK’s LGBT+ community, to make a difference to people’s lives, and to change the climate of public attitudes towards valuing sexual diversity.