Your GM LGBTQIA+ Community Newsletter!
Monday, 1st December 2025Written by Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL
Today is World AIDS Day, – 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=184
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/555906bcd708/funding-news-jun23-10901363?e=4ef77ba796
Sector News: https://mailchi.mp/0c45670310af/september25-10901019?e=4ef77ba796
Proud 2B Parents: Monthly Newsletter
https://mailchi.mp/838e8309d8ef/december-2025-newsletter?e=c3332628fc
LGBT Foundation: Community Newsletter
https://lgbtfoundation.cmail20.com/t/y-e-alllitd-hdbthldjy-ir/
The countdown has begun: LGBT Foundation’s Big Give Festive Appeal launches tomorrow at midday!
From 2nd – 9th December, you’ll have the chance to help us raise £12,000 in matched-funding by making a donation which gets DOUBLED – making DOUBLE the impact.
That means your gift of £20 becomes £40 to help support life-saving services for LGBTQ+ people over winter like our helpline and our festive feast.
Please mark your calendar for Tuesday 2nd December by clicking the button below and choosing ‘download’. Get ready to make a massive difference for LGBTQ+ people this festive season.
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
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/
Sleigh All Day Queer Xmas Party – Raising Money for MASH
We’re taking over Gorilla for a queer Christmas party, raising money for MASH charity!
There will be queer performances, 20+ queer artist makers stalls, best dressed competition, sexy Santa’s 18+ grotto, DJ all night, creative workshops, raffle, art exhibition and SO much more!
When: Thursday 18th December
Time: 6pm – 10pm
Where: Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth St, Manchester M1 5WW
Access: Wheelchair accessible venue with an accessible toilet. Carer tickets are free of charge but please message or email in advance!
MASH @mashmanchester do vital work supporting women and SWs in Manchester! See more of their work on their Instagram and website!
This Christmas party is not to be missed so get your tickets now!!
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/
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:
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.