GM LGBTQIA+ Community Newsletter!
Monday, 24th November 2025Written by Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL
Here’s Your GM LGBTQIA+ Community Newsletter, Please Share with Your Networks!
Love Sex? Get PrEP, Get DOXY – GET TESTED! – Friday 28th November: G-A-Y Manchester
2pm – 4pm, PrEP / Doxy Initiation
4pm – 6pm Testing Only
Qualified Staff & Full Sexual Health Screening, no need to book – just walk in.
World AIDS Day Vigil – Monday 1st December
Everyone is invited to attend the World AIDS Day Vigil 2025 in Sackville Gardens on Monday 1st December.
This annual Vigil, organised by the PaSH Partners, will run from 6:15pm to 7:00pm. This year’s programme will include music from the Manchester Proud Chorus, reflections from people remembering loved ones, a poem by one of George House Trust’s founding members, and contributions from individuals who have shaped Greater Manchester’s response to HIV over the past 40 years, as well as from people living with HIV who wish to share part of their story.
Please join us as we come together to remember all those affected by HIV.
This year’s Vigil will also mark the close of George House Trust’s 40th Anniversary Project, which has delivered a year-long programme of events sharing histories from the organisation’s archive and celebrating four decades of HIV activism in Greater Manchester. The project’s exhibition, ACTING UP! 40 Years of HIV Activism, will remain open at Manchester Central Library until the end of December.
Please support the PaSH Partnership’s HIV support and prevention work with a donation by texting WAD to 70450 to donate £3
Read the weekly newsletter from Canal St Manchester:
https://canal-st.co.uk/?na=v&nk=13316-ff801782ef&id=182
George House Trust: New Monthly Newsletter
https://crm.ght.org.uk/civicrm/mailing/view?id=5650
Fighting With Pride: Financial Recognition Scheme – Update
https://mailchi.mp/fightingwithpride/frs-appeals-update-18-november?e=d1dc24a262
Consortium: For Stronger LGBT+ Communities
Funding News: https://mailchi.mp/309d47b3cf45/funding-news-jun23-10900727?e=4ef77ba796
Sector News: https://mailchi.mp/0c45670310af/september25-10901019?e=4ef77ba796
George House Trust: Paint The Town Red
They’re PAINTING THE TOWN RED! Their annual fundraising campaign launched on the 1st November and is running until World AIDS Day.
This year they’re asking you to resist, remember and show solidarity for people living with HIV by PAINTING THE TOWN RED and showing your support for people living with HIV and fundraising for George House Trust’s vital work.
They are working hard to raise £40 000 in their 40th year to help ensure a world where HIV holds no one back.
You can find out more about how you can support and what you can do to help them reach their target by downloading the information pack here.
https://ght.org.uk/about-us/paint-the-town-red
Annual Festive Celebration of Our LGBTQIA+ Community: Monday 15th December 2025, 7pm – 9pm
You are invited to join The Proud Trust, George House Trust, akt, Sparkle, LGBT Foundation, and Rainbow Noir for our annual festive gathering of Greater Manchester’s LGBTQ+ community hosted at Manchester Cathedral, a space for celebration and inclusion.
We are stronger when everyone is included, and this event will be a celebration of all within our wonderfully diverse LGBTQ+ community, our supporters, allies, loved ones and friends.
Please join us for a joyful evening of carols, readings and performances.
Monday 15th December 2025, 7pm – 9pm Manchester Cathedral, Victoria Street, Manchester M3 1SX
(Arrival from 6pm to be seated by 6.45pm)
Please book your ticket via: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-festive-celebration-of-the-lgbtq-community-tickets-1870708442309?aff=erelexpmlt
LGBT Foundation’s Community Action Network
“Want to get involved in LGBTQ+ activism but don’t have a lot of time? Not able to participate in ‘traditional’ forms of volunteering? Are you an expert in a particular area of LGBTQ+ experience? Our monthly Community Action Network newsletter keeps you up to date on public consultations affecting LGBTQ+ people and puts you in contact with researchers who are publishing LGBTQ+ informed research, which will be used to shape public policy for years to come.”
The sign-up link is here LGBT Foundation – Community Action Network (CAN
Free Film Screening to Support New LGBTQ+ Relationship Change Programme
A free community screening of Solo, a powerful and emotional film exploring love, identity, and toxic relationships within drag and queer communities, will take place at Hebden Bridge Picture House on Wednesday 26 November at 7pm.
The screening is presented by LEVEL – a new, community-informed programme in Calderdale and Kirklees, supporting LGBTQ+ people who are causing harm in intimate relationships. LEVEL offers a 22-week, one-to-one behaviour-change intervention, alongside dedicated support for current and former partners affected by harm.
Solo follows Simon, an emerging drag artist in Montreal, as he navigates two complex and painful relationships: a passionate but destructive affair with Oliver, and a distant, unresolved relationship with his mother, who returns after 15 years away. The film is vivid, emotional, and deeply human, exploring the cost of connection, the pull of identity, and the challenge of loving without losing yourself.
Domestic abuse affects LGBTQ+ communities at significant levels. A Stonewall report (2018) found that more than one in ten LGBTQ+ people had experienced domestic abuse from a partner in the previous year.
Despite this, responses to both victim-survivors and those who cause harm have often been limited or not inclusive of LGBTQ+ lived experience.
LEVEL was co-designed with lived-experience experts, LGBTQ+ practitioners, domestic abuse specialists, and community organisations. It provides:
- One-to-one, identity-aware behaviour-change work
- Integrated safeguarding and support for partners affected by harm
- Local delivery via The Brunswick Centre and Calderdale Staying Safe (part of WomenCentre)
- To Book: https://hebdenbridgepicturehouse.co.uk/movies/free-screening-solo
This event forms part of 16 Days of Action, a global campaign calling for united action to end gender-based violence and domestic abuse. LEVEL’s involvement highlights the need for inclusive, identity-aware responses that reflect the realities of LGBTQ+ lives.
More information about the LEVEL programme is available at www.levelchange.org.uk
FOREVER MANCHESTER ROCKS IS NEARLY HERE – RAISE FUNDS AND ROCK OUT!
Looking for something fun to do with your team this Christmas?
Forever Manchester has launched a brand-new live music fundraising event for Manchester!
Forever Manchester Rocks invites teams from across Greater Manchester to compete in a battle of the bands at the iconic Band on the Wall.
Tickets are now on sale for the final on Wednesday 10th December — it’s set to be a cracking night of music, drinks, laughs, and fundraising for the incredible grassroots organisations that keep Greater Manchester thriving.
Get your tickets here: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/Band-On-The-Wall/Forever-Manchester-Rocks/41306362/
LGBT Foundation: Be Part of History: Our Queer Future Consultation
In 2025, LGBT Foundation proudly marks 50 years. As they conclude this milestone year, they invite you to help shape Our Queer Future!
Through fun and interactive workshops, you’ll explore what LGBTQ+ equality should look like in 2050. Together they’ll talk about the future of queer healthcare, neighbourhoods, and a world without inequalities. Your voice will form part of a visual map of Our Queer Future, published next year.
The best way to create an inclusive future is to make sure all voices are heard. They would particularly love to hear from those who are multiply marginalised, including people of colour (PoC) and other racially minoritised communities, trans*, non-binary, younger (aged 30 and under) and/or older people (aged 50+), and disabled people.
The in-person events combine the workshop with a fun free activity – while the activities change, the workshops are the same, so please only register for one event. Unless otherwise stated, each event has very limited tickets, so book early to avoid disappointment!
Upcoming Dates:
Workshop, plus free EXXXhibition Tour!
Thursday 4th December 2025, 5.30pm-7.30pm, The Thompsons Arms
Workshop ft. Festive Community Café
Saturday 6th December 2025, 12.00pm-2.00pm, LGBT Foundation’s Centre
The Community Café is a drop-in space from 12.00pm-4.00pm. The workshop will take place in the first half and you are warmly welcome to stay after to meet and mingle over festive treats!
Wednesday 10th December 2025, 12.00pm-1.30pm, Online
This handy online lunchtime session is specifically aimed at healthcare professionals and others whose professional work supports LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing, but it is open to all.
Workshop, plus free Bassam Issa Al-Sabah Exhibition Tour!
Friday 12th December 2025, 9.30am – 12.30pm, FACT Liverpool
This morning workshop is a safe space exclusively for trans and non-binary community members, kindly supported by Spirit Level.
Workshop, plus free Bassam Issa Al-Sabah Exhibition Tour!
Friday 12th December 2025, 1.30pm – 4.30pm, FACT Liverpool
Wednesday 14th January 2026, 12.00pm-1.30pm, Online
This handy online lunchtime session is specifically aimed at healthcare professionals and others whose professional work supports LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing, but it is open to all.
Workshop, plus free 50 Years of Queer Hope & Joy Exhibition Tour!
Thursday 15th January 2026, 12.00pm-2.30pm, Manchester Central Library
Workshop, plus free 50 Years of Queer Hope & Joy Exhibition Tour!
Thursday 22nd January 2026, 5.00pm-7.30pm, Manchester Central Library
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]
LGBT Foundation’s 50th Anniversary is proudly supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and sponsored by Barefoot Wine. Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. 50 Years of Queer Hope and Joy is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to celebrate and share stories of LGBTQ+ communities and activism in the North West and beyond, from 1975 to the present day.
FORWARD CIC – Improving the wellbeing of Stockport’s LGBTQIA+ community. Follow on social media
https://www.facebook.com/ForwardLGBT
https://www.instagram.com/forward_stockport/
MMU Event- The Emotions of LGBT Rights and Reforms: Repairing Law
Where– Sandra Burslem Building, Moot Court Room, Manchester Metropolitan University. Lower Ormond Street M15 6BH
Time– Thursday 11th December from 5pm
Presenter- Dr Senthorun Raj, Reader in Human Rights Law at Manchester Law School, Manchester Met.
Refreshments will be provided
In this book symposium hosted at Manchester Met Law School, feminist and queer legal scholars will reflect on Senthorun Raj’s new monograph, The Emotions of LGBT Rights and Reforms: Repairing Law. They will reflect on how the book engages with contemporary law reform debates about LGBT rights, including religious exceptions to anti-discrimination laws, legal gender recognition, and sex and LGBT education in schools.
The Emotions of LGBT Rights and Reforms: Repairing Law analyses emotions that shape conflicts of rights that emerge between different groups across law reforms aimed at better supporting LGBT people. Drawing from critical legal theories, this book cultivates the concept of “emotional grammar” to show how emotions structure law reform pursuits by threading together Hansard, legislation, case law, law reform consultations, and statutory guidance. By doing so, it explains why addressing this emotional grammar is important for scholars, lawyers, judges, legislators, and activists seeking to navigate conflicts over LGBT rights and reforms that aim to repair the inequalities faced by LGBT people.
The book is available to download for free here:
https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-the-emotions-of-lgbt-rights-and-reforms.html.
Professor Bev Clough, Dr Kay Lalor, and Dr Hasret Cetinkaya will also share their reflections on the book.
Please RSVP to this invite by contacting Dr Sen Raj [email protected]
The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me. Part love letter, part rallying cry, David Drake’s award-winning solo play is a fierce, funny and deeply moving journey through queer life and the legacy of ACT UP. It’s theatre as activism. Urgent, uplifting and made for LGBT History Month. A powerful, funny LGBTQ+ classic lands at Hope Mill for one week only this LGBT History Month 2026
Produced by the team behind sell-out smash, Jock Night which was at HMT earlier this year!
Fresh from his standout performance in Jock Night, Gabriel Clark takes the stage for a blistering, intimate performance that celebrates community, confronts stigma and reminds us how hard-won our rights really are.
In Manchester for just 8 performances. Get your tickets now because when they’re gone, they’re gone. https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/event/the-night-larry-kramer-kissed-me/?dm_i=5K77,1A5Z0,1D07NG,5YDHY,1
Surveys / Studies / Workshops / Research:
Family Health Nursing:
Are you a parent from the LGBTQIA+ community who has experiences with Family Health Nursing?
Family Health Nursing includes Health Visitors/ Public Health Nurses/Child Health Assistants
An exciting opportunity is available for you to share your experiences of Family Health Nursing
They invite you to complete this questionnaire and share your experiences on how you as a parent from the LGBTQIA+ community have experienced Family Health Nursing.
They value your experience and invite you to become involved in this study.
To complete a questionnaire please click the link below
https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/ulster/version-1
Exploring the experiences of older gay men and their identity in older life:
My name is Cristian Muinos, and I am a third year Trainee Clinical Psychologist at the North Wales Clinical Psychology Programme, at Bangor University. I am a gay male who is particularly interested in LGBTQIA+ mental health and wellbeing. With my research, I am trying to understand the experiences that older gay men might have in relation to their identity in older life. I am conducting this research to capture your experience in this subject, as there is currently limited research into older gay men’s experiences. in relation to their identity. In fact, most research has only focused on the challenges and barriers older gay men often experience. I hope that you might be willing to take part in my research to address this gap in the research and to better understand how gay men experience their sexuality in later life.
What is involved?
If you consent to take part in this research, you will be asked to take part in an interview. The interview could last approximately 60-90 minutes and will involve me asking you about your experiences of being an older gay man. I am interested in people’s individual experiences, particularly, in relation to being a gay male in later life. I am hoping to explore how your journey has been in understanding and relating to your sexuality, and any specific examples and reflections that you might have in relation to this.
Additionally, you will be invited to have a brief conversation with the researcher prior to the main interview to ensure that you meet the inclusion criteria to take part. It will also serve as an opportunity to gather other relevant information from you (e.g., age, sexuality, gender). Unfortunately, if you do not meet the criteria described below, you will not be eligible to participate.
We will meet at a day and time that is most convenient for you. You can choose to do the interviews either online through a video-call or on the phone.
The main research interview will be video recorded via Microsoft Teams, as well as audio recorded on a Dictaphone device.
Am I suitable to take part?
To be eligible for the study, participants must:
- Identify as a gay male.
- Be 60 years old or over.
- Live in the United Kingdom and be registered with a GP.
- Be able to communicate in English
What are the benefits of taking part in the study?
You will receive a £20 Amazon voucher as a thank you for taking part in the study. Hopefully, the findings of this research will enhance people’s understanding of how older gay men relate to their sexuality. The aim is to publish the study, so that others can learn from what you have to share.
If you have any questions about the study or if you are interested in taking part, please contact me via email: [email protected].
Pro-Manchester
Wellbeing Champions have launched their first annual survey to explore how effectively businesses are supporting mental wellbeing in the workplace: The link to the survey is here:
George House Trust celebrates its 40th anniversary.
During the year, they will be sharing stories celebrating the incredible work of George House Trust and the amazing people who have worked tirelessly to help them towards their mission of a world where HIV holds no one back.
Over the year they will be keeping you informed on events and news and letting you know how you can be involved and show your support for people living with HIV. There are lots of ways to get involved and a great way to start is by visiting their exhibition.
ACTING UP! 40 Years of HIV Activism
They are thrilled to share ACTING UP! 40 Years of HIV Activism, their exciting new exhibition at Manchester Central Library that celebrates Greater Manchester’s history of HIV activism.
The exhibition is free and open to the public, it contains rare archival materials, personal testimonies, and film and offers an in-depth look at the efforts of individuals and organisations that have shaped the region’s HIV activist history. It spans 40 years of George House Trust and HIV activism, starting with the creation of AIDSline in 1985.
Don’t miss out! Visit the exhibition at the Manchester Central Library, until December 2025.
It is through your support, hard work and dedication that George House Trust has been recognised for the difference it makes to people living with HIV. They couldn’t do this without you, so thank you for helping them to make sure HIV holds no one back.
Find out more about the exhibition:
https://ght.org.uk/hiv-activism/history
Become a Peer Coach with Tackle Prostate Cancer.
Supporting LGBTQI+ Communities Living with Prostate Cancer.
Tackle Prostate Cancer, the UK’s national federation of support groups, has launched an exciting new Peer Coaching Project, funded by Movember. The project is designed to make sure no one faces prostate cancer alone, and we are especially keen to hear from LGBTQI+ people who want to use their lived experience to support others.
We know that prostate cancer can bring unique challenges for LGBTQI+ communities. Research shows that gay and bisexual men often experience higher rates of treatment side effects, intimacy concerns, and greater psychological distress than heterosexual men. Too many people also report treatment regret, wishing they had known more before deciding about their care. Peer Coaching is one way we can change this.
What is a Peer Coach?
A Peer Coach is someone who has lived through a diagnosis of prostate cancer and is trained to support others at the start of their journey. Coaches are not there to give medical advice, but to act as a confidential sounding board, listening, encouraging, and helping people think through their choices with clarity and confidence. Most coaching relationships involve two to four one-to-one sessions, either face-to-face or online.
Training and Support
We provide free, interactive training over two days where you’ll learn practical coaching skills, how to build rapport, and how to use trusted resources like The Infopool and Predict Prostate. After training, you’ll be part of a supportive national network of coaches, with ongoing support and opportunities to share experiences and learning.
Why get involved?
- Make a real difference for LGBTQI+ people newly diagnosed with prostate cancer.
- Share your lived experience in a way that helps others feel less isolated and more confident in their decisions.
- Join a diverse, supportive community and gain new skills along the way.
If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and want to use your story to guide and empower others, we’d love to hear from you.
For more information or to get involved, email: [email protected]
Together we can ensure that everyone, whatever their background or identity, has the support they need at one of the most critical points in life.
Job Vacancies / Volunteering:
Forever Manchester: Director of Philanthropy Development & Marketing
At Forever Manchester, we believe in the power of people to make amazing things happen where they live. We’re looking for someone with vision, courage and humility to help us write the next chapter of our story — someone who understands that real change starts in our communities, and that leadership is about lifting others to shine.
If you’re ready to lead with heart, grow our impact, and inspire the next wave of community connection across Greater Manchester, we’d love to hear from you.
This isn’t just another leadership opportunity — it’s a chance to shape the future of one of Greater Manchester’s most ambitious and impactful charities.
https://forevermanchester.com/director-of-philanthropy-development-marketing/
The Proud Trust: Volunteer Expression of Interest Form
Offering your time and skills to support LGBTQ+ young people. There are a number of ways that you can get involved in their work – for further details of the volunteering roles they recruit to, as well as how they use your Skills Bank for ad-hoc volunteering projects, check out their Volunteering page at https://www.theproudtrust.org/about-us/our-team/volunteer-with-us/.
If you have additional questions, or need assistance with completing this form, please contact [email protected].
Vacancies for Various Charity Organisations across GM:
LGBT Foundation can be found here: https://lgbt.foundation/vacancy_type/job-opportunities/
We Are Survivors can be found here: https://www.wearesurvivors.org.uk/…/new-opportunities…/
Big Life Group are here: https://www.thebiglifegroup.com/work…/opportunities/
42nd Street Young People’s Mental Health Charity https://www.42ndstreet.org.uk/about-us/work-with-us/
GM Recruitment Hub can be found here: https://gmworkforcehub.org.uk/recruitment-hub/
The Rainbow Lottery is the UK’s first weekly lottery that raises money for the LGBTQ+ community. Their hope is to make a difference to our over 100 good causes across the country, so they can carry on their vital work – which helps us all.
For more info: www.rainbowlottery.co.uk To start supporting causes in OUR community purchase your ticket here:
https://www.rainbowlottery.co.uk/referral/1754044334/1961609853
Canal St Card.
Operated by Canal St Media, the card already has 1300+ holders and over 130 places to enjoy unique benefits and discounts at predominantly LGBTQ businesses and committed allies.
The current list is https://canal-st.co.uk/canal-st-card-offers-and-venues/
Every year George House Trust receives 5 donations directly from Card sales demonstrating that everyone can all benefit at the same time as providing modest, but grateful contributions towards the work George House Trust carries out.
Apart from the website information, they update via
@canalstreetmedia and @canalstcard on Instagram
@canalstvipcard Facebook
@canalstmancs Twitter/X