GM LGBTQIA+ Community Newsletter
Wednesday, 29th October 2025Here’s Your GM LGBTQIA+ Community Newsletter, Please Share with Your Networks:
Earlier this week the news broke that Manchester Pride had started the legal process of voluntary liquidation:
As someone who cares deeply about Manchester’s LGBTQ+ community, Manchester’s Gay Village and the values our Pride was built upon, I wanted to share a few thoughts following the news about Manchester Pride’s liquidation.
It’s truly heartbreaking to hear that so many people have not been paid for the work they carried out while contracted to Manchester Pride. My thoughts are very much with the artists, performers, crew, and all those affected. I hope that through the liquidators, they receive at least some of what they are owed.
Sadly, this moment has been a long time coming. Over recent years, Manchester Pride Limited drifted away from the core values and purpose on which it was founded, a celebration rooted in community, inclusion, and support for our local charities. While they cite dwindling ticket sales, the reality is that many in our community had been priced out, and the event itself had moved away from the heart and soul of Our Gay Village.
Looking ahead, there is hope. Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, has already confirmed that the Council will play an active role in working with our LGBTQ+ community to ensure a bright and inclusive future for Pride in 2026. This will involve genuine collaboration with local councillors, Village businesses, stakeholders, residents, local charities such as LGBT Foundation, George House Trust, and The Proud Trust, as well as community groups including Friends of Sackville Gardens and Friends of Manchester’s Gay Village.
Here’s to a new chapter, one that returns to the true spirit of Pride: community-led, accessible to all, and focused on the people and causes that matter most.
With love, hope and solidarity,
Carl A-B x
Read the weekly newsletter from Canal St Manchester:
https://canal-st.co.uk/?na=v&nk=13316-ff801782ef&id=175
Stonewall: Quarterly Newsletter
https://mailchi.mp/stonewall/your-quarterly-update-from-stonewall?e=78e7d82d93
Fighting With Pride: Financial Recognition Scheme – Update
https://mailchi.mp/fightingwithpride/frs-appeals-update-19-08-18251851?e=d1dc24a262
LGBT Foundation: Monthly Newsletter
https://lgbtfoundation.cmail20.com/t/y-e-qduskk-hdbthldjy-il/
Consortium: For Stronger LGBT+ Communities
Funding News: https://mailchi.mp/309d47b3cf45/funding-news-jun23-10900727?e=4ef77ba796
Sector News: https://mailchi.mp/95b1d21dffe0/september25-10900557?e=4ef77ba796
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
Gay City Bowlers – Manchester
We’re the first and only UK-wide LGBTQ+ ten-pin bowling club.
That’s club as in nightclub, not football club. You don’t need to be ‘a member’, wear a special kit or have any particular skill for bowling. So there are no pre-requisites for attendance.
We were founded in 2017 by newlyweds Marc & Luke — who had just moved to Manchester and had no idea how to make friends in a new city. They invited the few people they knew to come bowling one Wednesday and extended the invite to friends-of-friends. The rest, as they say, is history.
In the years since, we’ve expanded our presence to cities across the UK, helped forge hundreds of new friendships, and proudly represented the UK at international LGBTQ+ ten-pin tournaments across Europe.
It turns out, queer people everywhere need a way of making new friends. If you’re one of them, we’d love to meet you sometime.
P.S. Don’t let the name fool you – everyone from across the rainbow is welcome, not just gay men. It was just too good a wordplay to resist.
Weds 29th October
Lane 7, Great Northern Warehouse, Deansgate. 7pm.
Further details and ticket info can be found by visiting
www.gaycitybowlers.com/manchester
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:
- 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/
Gaydio are excited to announce they have a new FREE course for Stockport & Tameside residents happening in November after the success of the 3 course we completed at the beginning of this year.
Applicants previously have now gone onto full time work, part time work and volunteering across the UK. The new course is happening from the 10th to 19th November where applicants will see themselves:
- Introduction to Radio and how to become a radio presenter
- Show content & news presenting
- Other roles in radio & a look at music
- CV, job searching and LinkedIn session with Liselle Sheard
- Storytelling with BBC’s Emma Goswell
- Prep for the podcast
- Podcast creation, a session exploring the next stage progression tailored to the participant’s specific needs and next steps with Gaydio and other radio stations
All the information, dates, and criteria and sign up are on the link below:
https://www.gaydio.academy/courses/2025/intro-to-radio-and-podcasting-stockport-and-tameside/
Manchester Queer Death Cafe
12 November, 6:30 – 7:30pm
The Molly House, 26 Richmond St, M1 3NB
An opportunity to get together, have an open conversation about death, funerals and grief, and break down the taboos that surround it. Your friends and family might feel awkward about it – They don’t. The aim is to increase awareness of death and ultimately to help people make the most of their lives. The discussions are led by the people present, and they have no agenda or direction, so that each death cafe is entirely unique and unpredictable. Conversations are light-hearted, supportive and empathetic and will happen in a small group of people. You will have the chance to talk about anything you wish, but you can also just sit and listen if you would prefer. All queer mortals welcome!
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/manchester-queer-death-cafe-tickets-1829100782679
The Proud Trust has been selected to take part in the Aviva Community Fund, enabling them to double your donation if you give before 2 November.
Find out more and make your matched contribution here: SUPPORT NOW
Things are really challenging for charities at the moment, even more so for the LGBTQ+ sector. The number of young people trying to access their services increased by 171% in the month following the Supreme Court judgement. Sadly, they have seen a decrease in our funding over the past few years, making it much harder for them to respond to the growing need from our increasingly marginalised and victimised community.
Safe spaces for LGBTQ+ young people and the wider LGBTQ+ community are needed now more than ever.
For a short period of time, every contribution made through our Aviva page will be matched by Aviva, up to £250 per supporter! That means whatever you’re able to give will go twice as far – to create safe, welcoming spaces for LGBTQ+ young people, spaces that can truly change lives at a time when they are needed more than ever.
A previous service user told us:
“When I was 14, I was recommended the group […] and for a couple hours every Wednesday I was given a space to be out, and loud, and proud. For a few hours a week, there were no kids my age doubting me, judging me, or bullying me. You may question the point in funding a group so some gay teens can bake cupcakes, or make hot chocolate, but those small moments saved my life. Spaces for queer teens are why I am able to live my life as a queer adult.”
The match funding opportunity is available for a limited time only, and they’d love your help to make the most of it. They’ve even got some rewards on offer! Whatever you are able to give, your support will go twice as far in supporting the LGBTQ+ young people who need it most.
Find out more and make your matched contribution here: SUPPORT NOW
Thank you for standing side by side with them and LGBTQ+ young people, enabling more young people to grow up proud, confident, resilient and safe.
The Proud Trust – Home of LGBTQ+ Youth
https://www.theproudtrust.org/
The Alternative Mental Health Event:
Reconnect & Reset with a Hypermobility Weightlifting Workshop, Somatic Yoga Session & Sound Bath
HYPERMOBILITY WORKSHOP WITH RAE
Learn safe and appropriate adaptations to lifting with hypermobility. As well as how to improve proprioception to increase body awareness.
Strength training with these adaptations will increase your ability to perform daily tasks, reduce pain and symptoms and improve postural control.
Leave with a better understanding of how to strength training safely, and how to increase joint stability.
A 90 minute workshop with practical elements and education.
SOMATIC YOGA WITH CONNIE
In this one hour session we’ll create with our bodies, dance between yoga shapes and move between fluidity & form.
There are no expectations & no judgements – however you show up is welcome. There will be an option to wear a blindfold during the practice but no pressure.
Connie explores holistic practices that support you back into connection with yourself.
And remind you that you are and always have been – enough, valid & worthy as your beautiful, wild self.
SOUND BATH WITH ZOE
Join us for a relaxing, one hour sound bath including the meditative sounds of crystal singing bowls, Tibetan bowls, chimes and shamanic drums to encourage deep rest and physical relaxation.
Zoe loves creating a cosy and comfortable environment during her sessions, allowing for you to fully relax.
Feel free to bring a pillow and blanket.
Saturday 15th November 3PM – 7PM
Tickets £40
Only 12 Spaces Available.
Link to book is here
Contact Rae for more details [email protected]
Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil 2025
The Manchester Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) Vigil will take place on Thursday 20th November in Sackville Gardens (M1 3HB).
Arrival from 6.30pm and the service will start at 7.00pm
There will be a service of speakers and performers. Candles will be provided, and we can take the time to remember those trans & gender diverse lives we have sadly lost.
Working in collaboration to create the new Manchester Trans organisations Network for our communities, with, Not a Phase, The Proud Place, Rainbow Noir, Sparkle, Trans Mutual Aid Manchester, and Trans Pride Manchester.
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 (13 Nov, 27 Nov)
Free Get Together events (TBA)
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/
Launching the theme for UK LGBT+ History Month 2026
November 7, 2025 – From 7:30pm to 9pm
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/launching-the-theme-for-uk-lgbt-history-month-2026-tickets-1811544661849
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.
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
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]