The Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, UK, has included British naval hero Horatio Nelson in a "Queer relationships" collection, citing his contested final words "Kiss me, Hardy" as evidence. The museum added Daniel Maclise's *The Death of Nelson* (1859-1864) and Benjamin West's 1806 painting of the same name to an online article about LGBTQ+ love. This follows a similar move by London's National Maritime Museum, which examined Nelson through a "queer lens" during a "Queer History Night" event last year.
The decision has sparked controversy, with critics including the LGB Alliance and columnist Ross Clark arguing there is no evidence Nelson was anything other than heterosexual, noting his marriage to Frances Nelson and his affair with Lady Emma Hamilton. The debate highlights ongoing tensions in the UK over how museums interpret historical figures through contemporary LGBTQ+ frameworks, and raises questions about the role of cultural institutions in re-examining history. The story matters because it reflects broader cultural battles over identity, historical interpretation, and the limits of queer readings of historical figures.