Liverpool Gallery Labels Admiral Lord Nelson Queer Amid Controversy

The Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool has described British naval hero Lord Horatio Nelson as "queer" based on historians' speculation about his close relationship with Captain Thomas Hardy, highlighted by Nelson's reputed final words, "Kiss me, Hardy." The gallery includes two paintings depicting Nelson's death aboard HMS Victory in its LGBTQ+ collection, framing their bond as emblematic of the often-hidden queer history of life at sea, despite Nelson's known marriage and affair with women. This interpretation has sparked controversy and criticism, notably from the UK advocacy group LGB Alliance, which argues that such claims constitute historical revisionism and detract from genuine LGBTQ+ historical figures. The gallery acknowledges that whether Nelson and Hardy's relationship was sexual remains unknown but emphasizes the significance of platonic and intimate same-sex relationships formed among men at sea. The debate reflects broader discussions on how public institutions interpret and present historical figures' sexualities amid evolving understandings of LGBTQ+ histories.