GM LGBTQIA+ Community Newsletter – Please share with your networks 03/10/2025
Friday, 3rd October 2025Here’s Your GM LGBTQIA+ Community Newsletter, Please Share with Your Networks:
Read the weekly newsletter from Canal St Manchester:
https://canal-st.co.uk/?na=v&nk=13316-ff801782ef&id=168
LGBTQ+ Weekly Bulletin from Manchester Evening News
https://newsletters.e.reachplc.com/8BnwHH-vD04g6JXT6woMaC/EI3T-7gn2F27eXuRwiFm/ySNCSMO8SXvwkejCKsvn/imDAsCCEcG_4sxnA1-uc/nKv4zGpKdNdxQEttoCiw/oax0woqpZ8uKqwsFauY0/yKQF/WJAV.php?ID=AxHWLMh3
Factory International: Black History Month – Series of Events
https://factoryinternational-mail.com/cr/AQjbhg4Qh7pvGOLiizH1ElOW9vvJ3kNgsEZ36B4rYn3kmXt2I3Di6r2LaUWX9A
Proud 2B Parents: Monthly Newsletter
https://mailchi.mp/f2617ed2f035/october-with-proud-2-b-parents?e=c3332628fc
Forever Manchester: Monthly Update
https://r1.ddlnk.net/cr/AQij0w4Qlo-FARiwtus2OdjDyHVccdgqD0h0JYaSz1jCPQnxgOECnu-KuqlIy9E
LGBT Foundation: Monthly Newsletter
https://lgbtfoundation.cmail20.com/t/y-e-qduskk-hdbthldjy-il/
Consortium: For Stronger LGBT+ Communities
Funding News: https://mailchi.mp/00d0471f6c03/funding-news-jun23-10900456?e=4ef77ba796
Sector News: https://mailchi.mp/642730139f7a/september25?e=4ef77ba796
The I Love Manchester Awards: Celebrating Manchester’s Best – Shortlist Revealed
Voting closes 25:59 Today, 3rd October 2025:
https://ilovemanchester.com/awards
Pride in Leadership’s second Annual Conference will take place on 6 November.
Join them for a full day of amazing speakers, masterclasses, excellent hospitality, and an evening drinks reception.
Book here – Pride in Leadership Annual Conference 2025 – Pride In Leadership
Pride in Leadership runs events throughout the year, including FREE online events, Please check them all out here – Upcoming events – Pride In Leadership
ODEON Pride Nights, a community focused event, where they’ll be screening a new, or bring back, an LGBTQI+ film.
ODEON Cinema, Great Northern, 253 Deansgate, Manchester – 7pm
The titles and dates so far are:
- Love & Revolution – 6 October
- Born For You – 3 November
- Out – 1 December
- The Bearded Mermaid – 5 January
More Details: https://www.odeon.co.uk/films/odeon-pride-nights-love-revolution/HO00007661/
Touchstones Rochdale
FREE opportunity for young people aged 16–19 to develop real-world skills in the film industry. For the second year running, Touchstones will be hosting the BFI Film Academy Short Course in Rochdale and applications are now open!
This is more than just a course, it’s a hands-on experience where young people gain practical filmmaking skills, explore film theory, and learn about programming, distribution, and certification. Whether you’re a budding filmmaker or a passionate film fan, this is your chance to build your creative toolkit and take your first steps into the screen industries.
What young people will gain:
- Professional filmmaking experience – from development to post-production
- Technical skills – using industry-standard equipment and software
- Creative collaboration – working with other young creatives and mentors
- Insight into the film industry – through masterclasses led by professionals
- A finished short film – with the chance to have it screened at a Manchester Cinema and Art Centre HOME
- Access – to future BFI opportunities
You’ll be supported every step of the way by experienced industry professionals and become part of a growing network of young creatives across the UK.
If you have any questions or want to chat with a member of the team before applying, email [email protected].
Deadline for applications: 9 October 2025
Batty: Sale Waterside, 9th October
Have you got a wild side? Batty has, she dreams of running barefoot, wild swimming, lighting fires and talking to trees. In fact she’s starting to wonder if she might be a witch…
Join Batty and her companion Wildthing for gossip, gay abandon, exquisite tenderness and raucous stories (with a side order of ranting), as they explore the magic and power of ageing.
Batty! by queer theatre maker Victoria Firth explores the magic and power of ageing and the wildness of women. It’s a story of witches, as a potent metaphor for women who’ve been othered or are powerful in ways outside the societal norm.
Batty! | What’s On | Waterside
Rochdale’s Got Talent: Friday 10th October, 7pm
Rochdale Town Hall – Tickets £15 supporting The Mayor’s Charities
https://www.facebook.com/groups/697241856645578/
Pro-Manchester: World Menopause Day 2025: Focus on Perimenopause
Thursday 16th October, 12pm – 2pm Weightmans LLP, Spinningfields, Hardman Square M3 3EB
Our event will focus on perimenopause, the often-overlooked transition phase leading up to menopause. Our expert panel will share lived experiences and practical, evidence-based advice to:
- Understand perimenopause and its impact
- Explore lifestyle approaches for managing symptoms
- Learn how workplaces can create supportive, inclusive environments for staff
This event is open to all – whether you’re experiencing perimenopause or menopause, supporting friends and family, or want to make a difference in your workplace. Together, we’ll break down myths and empower everyone to approach this life stage with knowledge, confidence, and compassion.
https://www.pro-manchester.co.uk/event/world-menopause-day-event/
The Sunday Boys: Connected Voices
Two Choirs. Two Countries. One Unforgettable Night.
Join Manchester’s The Sunday Boys and Paris’s Mélo’Men for a powerful evening of European song. This unique concert unites two LGBTQ+ choirs for a programme spanning Nordic beauty, haunting folk harmonies, and bold contemporary works, moving from quiet reflection to joyful celebration.
Hosted at Manchester Grammar School, this is a rare chance to experience these acclaimed ensembles together. Celebrate music, diversity, and the power of voices joined across borders.
Manchester Grammar School, October 18, 7.30pm. Tickets from £12.
https://billetto.co.uk/e/the-sunday-boys-connected-voices-tickets-1668375?bref=eyJzIjoib3JnYW5pc2VyIiwibSI6InNoYXJlIiwiYyI6Im1hbmFnZV92aX
Homobloc at Depot Mayfield, Saturday 6th December.
The event features a remarkable line-up of artists and performers including Sugababes, Honey Dijon, The Blessed Madonna, Beth Ditto, Patrick Mason, Slayyyter, Peaches (DJ) b2b Erol Alkan, Hercules And Love Affair – Live, Todd Edwards and many more.
Alongside this, there will be curation and performance art from queer collectives including Pxssy Palace, Butch Revival, T4T, Feel It, Ghetto Fabulous, House of Spice x Zindagi, Red Rodeo Club and more.
Tickets available via www.homobloc.co.uk
Dibby Theatre is offering a whole host of incredible opportunities for LGBTQ+ theatre creatives in Greater Manchester! From free mentoring sessions and workshops to get togethers and paid residencies, don’t miss out on this year’s Dibby’s First Dibs programme this Autumn.
Free 1-2-1 Link Up mentoring sessions (September – December)
Free Glow Up workshops (20 Oct, 13 Nov, 27 Nov)
Free Get Together events (TBA)
3 x Paid Glow Up Residencies (Deadline to apply 22 Sep)
Full programme here: https://www.dibbytheatre.org/get-involved/
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/
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Cameras originally installed across Greater Manchester for a proposed charging-Clean Air Zone (that is now not going ahead) could be used to help tackle crime and keep communities safe.
People across Greater Manchester are being asked to give their views on the proposal to transfer ownership of these ANPR cameras to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), changing their primary use to help prevent and tackle crime and keep our communities safe.
A six-week consultation is now live here: www.gmconsult.org/anpr
The consultation aims to gather views from residents, businesses and community groups in Greater Manchester, including road users and non-road users.
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.
Your Manchester: Studio Hire
Whether you’re a theatre company or dance school looking for rehearsal space, a video podcaster looking for a filming space, or other artist and creative, our space can be adapted to suit your needs.Located 5 minutes walk from Manchester Piccadilly Train Station, we’re centrally located with parking right outside the door.
The studio is 427 sq ft, with lots of natural light if that’s what you need. They’ve also got 360 degree blackout curtains for creating a totally blank space.
The studio is fully accessible, with a lift available for loads ins. You’d have access to a shared kitchen, toilets and shower.
Rates start from £30 p/hour and you can hire their studio for an hour, a full day, or even block bookings for recurring classes/rehearsals.
For more details and see images: https://yourmcr.com/studio-hire
Job Vacancies / Volunteering:
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].
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
Join the growing list of card holders via https://app.passcreator.com/en/passlandingpage/showpaymentpage?passLandingpage%5B__identity%5D=115023a2-9a01-49ec-8d69-ec4ce6fec181
If you feel that you no longer wish to receive these emails, PLEASE let me know, I would hate to think I am bombarding you with information that you don’t require and it is just blocking up your inbox. (I won’t be offended).
Remember, if you have events or information you wish to share across Greater Manchester then feel free to send that over to me to be included, I send this email out to over 2000 contacts which in turn gets sent out through their networks: [email protected]