Dan Glass (activist)

Dan Glass
Born1980s
London
OccupationsQueer activist & author
Years active2000s - now
Known forLGBTQ+ activism, HIV/AIDS advocacy, queer public history, and direct action activism
Websitehttps://www.theglassishalffull.co.uk/

Dan Glass is a British healthcare and human rights activist, author and community organiser.[1]

Glass is the founder of Queer Tours of London[2], author of United Queerdom: From the Legends of the Gay Liberation Front to the Queers of Tomorrow[3] and Queer Footprints - A Guide to Uncovering London’s Fierce History.[4] He gained attention for a 2008 stunt in which he superglued himself to Gordon Brown, Prime Minister of Britain.

Alongside ACT UP London's archive, his own campaigning archive can be found at the Bishopsgate Institute in London. 

Early life and education

Glass was raised in London with grandparents who survived the Holocaust.[5][6] Glass is gay and lives with HIV.[7] He has cited the influence of the Pink Triangle from the Nazi Holocaust used to identify homosexuals and the "Silence = Death" slogan.[8][9]

Literary career

Glass' debut book United Queerdom: From the Legends of the Gay Liberation Front to the Queers of Tomorrow[3] was published in 2020. The book blends autobiography, movement history, theory and cultural critique.[10] Themes in United Queerdom include history,[11] critiques of assimilation and commercialisation in mainstream Pride culture,[12] anecdotes and reflections on Glass' own life,[13] and the role of protest.[14]

In May 2023, Pluto Press published Queer Footprints: A Guide to Uncovering London’s Fierce History.[15] In collaboration with artist Mark Glasgow, the book is a narrative guide to London's queer history[16] utilising walking routes and storytelling.[17]

Activism and campaigns

Glass' activism has included campaigns to protect LGBTQ+ spaces[18] and climate activism, including where he "glued himself to the UK prime minister."[19][20][21][22][23] Glass organised an anti-UKIP cabaret protests and critiques of far-right politics.[24] He has also been outspoken about commercialisation of Pride[25] and intersectional activism.

Amnesty International UK describes Glass' activism as a revival of the queer community's fight against stigma and exclusion.[26]

Recognition

  • Lifetime Achievement Award from The Rainbow Tree[27]
  • Named BBC Greater Londoner for founding Queer Tours of London[28]
  • Recognised as one of Attitude magazine’s “campaigning role models for LGBTQI youth[29]
  • Listed by The Guardian as a "UK youth climate leader"[30]
  • Won 2017 Activist of the Year at the Sexual Freedom Awards

References

  1. ↑ "Pedagogies Against Abandonment: Popular Education and HIV Community Activism in South Africa". LISS DTP. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  2. ↑ Aron, Isabelle; London, Time Out (2019-03-08). "Meet The Inspiring 70-Plus Londoners Who Aren't Slowing Down". Time Out London. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  3. 1 2 "Bibliography", United Queerdom, Zed Books, 2020, ISBN 978-1-78699-876-7, retrieved 2026-05-31
  4. ↑ "Queer Footprints". Pluto Press. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  5. ↑ "Power, Passion and Perseverance - Dan Glass". Fevered Sleep. 2022-08-03. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  6. ↑ GlassActivist, Dan; performer; writer; Full, agitator from The glass Is Half; Transformation, Training for (2015-01-30). "Why It's Important to Protest Against Injustice on Holocaust Memorial Day". HuffPost UK. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  7. ↑ "Visual AIDS | Dan Glass". Visual AIDS. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  8. ↑ "The story behind the AIDS crisis's iconic Silence Equals Death poster". Tablet Magazine. 2019-11-27. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  9. ↑ "Courageousness, Queerness, & Activism - The Gay & Lesbian Review". glreview.org. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  10. ↑ bloomsbury.com. "United Queerdom". Bloomsbury. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  11. ↑ McKerrow, Graham (2023-11-12). "Andrew Lumsden obituary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  12. ↑ Lord, Annie (2017-07-06). "Where Pride Went Wrong". VICE. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  13. ↑ "I'm a child of Section 28. 'Heartstopper' helps heal my pain". openDemocracy. 2022-05-07. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  14. ↑ "The language of liberation — Dan Glass on his George Michael-inspired activism". Beautiful Trouble. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  15. ↑ "Queer Footprints". Pluto Press. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  16. ↑ louise@humankind-design.com (2023-06-15). "BOOK REVIEW | Queer Footprints offers a walk on the wild side". The London Society. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  17. ↑ Tiernan, Han (2023-08-24). "Author Dan Glass on the inspiration behind Queer Footprints, a guide to London's fierce LGBTQ+ history". GCN. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  18. ↑ posts, Besi-View all (2018-02-13). "Joiners Arms campaigners launch project to open London's first community-run LGBT+ pub". Scene Magazine. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  19. ↑ "Campaigner 'glues himself to PM'". 2008-07-22. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
  20. ↑ "Activist sticks himself to U.K. leader, with glue". NBC News. 2008-07-23. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
  21. ↑ "By the way Prime Minister, I've just super-glued myself to your arm..." theecologist.org. 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
  22. ↑ "Campaigner 'glues himself' to Brown at Downing Street". The Independent. 2008-07-22. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
  23. ↑ "Protestor glues himself to Gordon Brown". RTÉ. 23 July 2008.
  24. ↑ Doherty, Rosa (2015-03-31). "Campaigner tells of terror over Britain First attack". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  25. ↑ Gomez, Nick (2019-08-03). "Are You Proud? Review". Culturefly. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  26. ↑ "Dan Glass: Standing on the shoulders of giants". Amnesty International UK. 2024-02-02. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  27. ↑ "The Rainbow Tree | Rooted in Culture, Growing in Pride". 2025-09-14. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  28. ↑ "Dan Glass". Bishopsgate Institute. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  29. ↑ "Dan Glass – Queer Liberation in the Heart of London". guerrillafoundation.org. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  30. ↑ "Dan Glass | The Guardian". The Guardian. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
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