In pictures: Gay Icons

The first portrait exhibition to celebrate the contribution of gay icons in history is going on display at the National Portrait Gallery.

The photos were selected by a panel of 10 people, including KD Lang, Elton John, Sir Ian McKellen and Sandi Toksvig.

The selectors were asked to choose people - dead or alive - who had inspired them or was a personal icon to them.

Quentin Crisp became a gay icon in the 1970s after the publication of his memoir, The Naked Civil Servant.

US politician Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. He was so influential a film has just been made about him.

Novelist and poet Sylvia Towsend fell in love with a woman and they lived together for more than 30 years.

US actor Joe Dallesandro appeared in several of Andy Warhol's films. He identified himself as being bisexual and has been married three times.

Peter Tatchell co-founded the gay and lesbian campaign group Outrage!

British mathematician Alan Turing was alive when homosexuality was illegal. He was prosecuted after it was discovered he was gay.

The exhibition, which runs from 2 July to 18 October, coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York.

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