Interactive digital map from Skittles and Queer Britain brings London’s rich LGBTQ+ history to life
This Pride season, Skittles has partnered with Queer Britain to launch the Chosen Family Map, a digital map spotlighting eight London locations that reveal the role of chosen families across the city.
The map is an online resource for young people to learn about London as a historically rich LGBTQ+ hub, bringing the past and present of the city to life. It aims to give people a new way to discover London’s LGBTQ+ history - whether from home, the university library, or as inspiration for a self-guided walk through the city.
The collaboration builds on Skittles’ ongoing work with Queer Britain. The map features locations where communities have found connection, support and belonging, both historic and current. This includes:
Julius Caesar Taylor’s Molly House, a secret meeting place where queer men found community and safety in the face of 18th century criminalisation of same sex relationships
Lytton Strachey’s former home, where the Bloomsbury Group - a renowned collective of writers, artists and thinkers who challenged early 20th-century social norms like same-sex relationships - would frequently socialise
The LGBTQ+ Traffic Lights in Trafalgar Square, that continue to embed LGBTQ+ visibility into daily life, creating moments of recognition and connection that echo the sentiment of chosen family
The launch will be supported by a £100,000 donation from Skittles to Queer Britain, helping the museum continue its work to reclaim, preserve and expand the UK’s LGBTQ+ archives.
Andrew Given, Chief Executive at Queer Britain, says: “Through our continued collaboration with Skittles, we’ve been able to build on our work uncovering real-life examples of chosen family and bring this to people in new and meaningful ways. With many LGBTQ+ archive materials often omitted, fragmented or non-existent, it’s crucial that we both protect these histories and make them accessible, and the Chosen Family Map offers a powerful way for people to engage with these stories in the places they happened. It’s an opportunity to spotlight not just the challenges faced, but the joy, creativity and connection that has always been at the heart of LGBTQ+ life.”
Emily Owen, Senior Brand Manager at Skittles UK, says: “We know that the bonds formed between friends, communities and creative circles have always been a vital source of connection, support and joy. Chosen families have shaped LGBTQ+ life for generations, offering a powerful reminder that family is about shared experience as much as it is about where you come from. We’re proud to be launching the ‘Chosen Family Map’ this Pride, bringing stories of chosen family into the real world and inviting people to explore the places and the people, that have helped define what chosen family means today.”
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Diversity and inclusion will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out our 2025 winners here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
