Manchester, a capital of England’s industrial north in the nineteenth century, remains an economic, political and cultural hub. It’s also a centre for LGBTQ communities across the north of England and its ‘gay village’ in the Canal Street area has venues that have welcomed queer people since at least the 1940s. Unlike most other municipalities, Manchester council has been active in establishing the city’s gay village, promoting it and placing it on the tourist map. This, along with the global success of the Manchester-based television production Queer as Folk has reinforced a particular, if limited, understanding of Manchester’s LGBTQ community.
Queer Beyond London has teamed up with Historic England’s Pride of Place initiative to map LGBTQ heritage across England. Use the map below to explore Manchester’s queer past, and add your own locations.
Partners
LGBT Foundation, formerly known as The Lesbian & Gay Foundation (The LGF), is a national charity delivering a wide range of services to lesbian, gay and bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities. It was established in April 2000 following the merger of Healthy Gay Manchester and Manchester Lesbian and Gay Switchboard Services.
Front Page Image Credit: ‘Space Invader in the Gay village in Manchester‘, erokism at Flickr Creative Commons.