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Coming Out exhibition marking sexuality, gender and identity

Grayson Perry, courtesy of Jerry Hardman-Jones Grayson Perry's Claire's Coming Out Dress, 2000, Nottingham City Museums and Galleries CollectionGrayson Perry, courtesy of Jerry Hardman-Jones
Grayson Perry, Claire's Coming Out Dress

Works by artists Francis Bacon and Tracey Emin are going on show in a new exhibition which looks at issues around sexuality.

Coming Out marks 50 years since the Sexual Offences Act 1967 partially decriminalised male homosexual acts.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery's exhibition looks at how the artists explore themes of gender and identity.

A standout artwork is Grayson Perry's "Claire's Coming Out Dress", a spokesman said.

He wore the dress to mark his emergence as a transvestite to the art world.

Grayson Perry. Image by Birmingham Museums Trust Grayson Perry, Who Am IGrayson Perry. Image by Birmingham Museums Trust
Grayson Perry, Who Am I

The exhibition runs from Saturday with comedian Joe Lycett performing the official opening.

It continues throughout December and also includes work by Vanley Burke, Gillian Wearing and Andy Warhol.

Sarah Lucas, courtesy Sadie Coles HQ, London Sarah Lucas, Self-Portrait with Mug of TeaSarah Lucas, courtesy Sadie Coles HQ, London
Sarah Lucas, Self-Portrait with Mug of Tea
Steve McQueen and Thomas Dane Gallery London Steve McQueen, Bear, I and Thomas Dane Gallery London, and Marian Goodman Gallery, Paris, New York and London,Steve McQueen and Thomas Dane Gallery London
Steve McQueen, Bear - a still image from film
Linder, courtesy of Stuart Shave, Modern Art Untitled 1977 by LinderLinder, courtesy of Stuart Shave, Modern Art
Untitled 1977 by Linder
Sunil Gupta Sunil Gupta, India Gate from the series ‘Exiles’, 1986-87. Even if you have a lover you should get married and have children. Who would look after you in your old age? @Sunil GuptaSunil Gupta
Sunil Gupta, India Gate from the series 'Exiles', 1986-87. Even if you have a lover you should get married and have children. Who would look after you in your old age?