MP in art exhibition on advances in gay rights

Angela Eagle MP Credit: PA Images

Images of Wallasey MP Angela Eagle have gone on display at the National Portrait Gallery in an exhibition on the advances in gay rights.

The show, Speak its Name!, is part of a series of events marking the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of male homosexuality in England and Wales in 1967.

Portraits of singer Will Young, Olympic diver Tom Daley, the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen and journalist Isabella Blow are on display, accompanied by quotations from the sitters about their experiences of revealing their sexuality.

Olympic diver Tom Daley Credit: PA Images

The show is the first in a year-long series of events at the gallery, entitled I Am Me, which explore sexuality, gender, art and identity.

Actor Simon Callow has written the introduction to a book accompanying the exhibition.

Portraits have been taken out of the gallery archive for the show, to be accompanied by previously published quotations.

The season continues in February with a display on the 1980s London art and club scene of Leigh Bowery, Derek Jarman, Ossie Clark and Gilbert & George.