GM LGBTQIA+ Community Network Newsletter
Monday, 15th July 2024Written by Carl Austin-Behan, VA Clean
This Weekend Its: Sparkle Weekend 12th – 14th July – Sackville Gardens, Manchester’s Gay Village.
The Sparkle Weekend is the original celebration of trans joy and gender diversity. The first celebration was in 2005, before charities such as Stonewall became trans-inclusive. Since then, the Sparkle Weekend has grown exponentially, attracting 20,000 visitors in 2019 (pre-Covid), and 13,000 visitors in 2023.
It is a family friendly festival-style event, featuring live entertainment, workshops, wellbeing activities, family and youth provision, sober spaces, market traders, food, drink, and much more! One of our charity’s core values is that the Sparkle Weekend remains free-to-attend, to be accessible for everyone. What can you expect at the Sparkle Weekend?
Get ready for a jam-packed event with over 30 market stalls, showcasing everything from grassroots organisations, creatives, charities, to our sponsors.
The Sparkle Weekend features a vibrant array of zones, like the Wellbeing Zone, the Family & Youth Zone, the Sober Space, the Positivity Zone, the Marketplace, Food & Drink Zone, a Volunteering Hub, and a talent-filled Main Stage.
This year’s special events include the Trans Joy March, the Sensory Space, and the Sparkle Superstars Pageant.
Enjoy a whole weekend of talented performers on the Main Stage, who represent the beauty of diversity in gender.
Book Your FREE Tickets Now
https://www.sparkle.org.uk/sparkleweekend
Read the weekly newsletter from Canal St Manchester:
https://www.canal-st.co.uk/canal-st-online-newsletter
Consortium: For Stronger LGBT+ Communities
Sector News: https://mailchi.mp/654bebd453ef/jan24-9917301?e=4ef77ba796
Funding News: https://mailchi.mp/c3ffdd05c97a/funding-news-jun23-9109617?e=4ef77ba796
Fighting With Pride: Newsletter:
https://mailchi.mp/6a774da5aaed/fighting-with-pride-newsletter-june-2024
Proud 2 B Parents: Newsletter
https://mailchi.mp/ee3fb04dcc60/july-2024-monthly-email-16196074?e=c3332628fc
Forever Manchester: Monthly Newsletter
Pride in Liverpool is Returning: July 2024
https://prideinliverpool.co.uk/
GM Equality Alliance Bulletin, Issue no 92, July 2024
https://www.gmcvo.org.uk/civicrm/mailing/view?reset=1&id=9973
Manchester Pride: Community Lane applications for the Manchester Pride Festival are open! I’m also happy to let you know that spaces for LGBTQ+ community groups and HIV organisations are FREE.
You can apply HERE and feel free to pass on the opportunity to any charity or organisation you think may be interested.
Greater Manchester Pride Events for 2024
Sparkle Weekend Friday 12th – Sunday 14th July https://www.sparkle.org.uk/
Rochdale in Rainbows Saturday 13th July
Oldham Pride Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st July
Leigh Pride Saturday 27th July
Happy Valley Pride / Hebden Bridge Monday 22nd– Sunday 28th July www.happyvalleypride.co.uk
Trans Pride Manchester Saturday 3rd August
Levenshulme Pride Friday 9th – Sunday 11th August
Prestwich Pride Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th August
Wigan Pride Saturday 10th August
Manchester Pride Friday 23rd – Monday 26th August
Didsbury Pride Saturday 31st August
Ramsbottom Pride Saturday 21st September
Withington Pride Saturday 21st September
Bury Rainbow Train Sunday 29th September
Chorlton Pride To be confirmed
Rochdale in Rainbows is back this year with their very own Rochdale Pride events!
Their main event will be held on the 13th July outside the Town Hall – the first ever Rochdale in Rainbows Pride parade.
Everyone is invited to join in and walk with their progress flag from 10am to 11.30am and then go into the Bright Hall for refreshments and more celebrations. https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/sports-leisure/rochdale-rainbows-presents-pride
With Love, Mr. Gay 16th July, 7.30pm – Social Refuge, M4 5AJ
The premier of Joshua Val Martin’s new solo show, about the time a neighbourly dispute about the bins led to receiving a homophobic death threat, that asks big questions about making peace in the face of injustice.
Written & Performed by Joshua Val Martin
Directed by Jez Dolan
Co-starring George Bury
Accompaniment by Joshua Dawson
They say ‘only the dead have seen the end of war’ –
My war started with the bins.
The note read: “Dear Mr. Gay, if you move my bin again, I will get an ex-mercenary to destroy you… from flat 2.”
Do you have a story about a run-in with a neighbour?
Most people seem to –
And they’re usually only resolved when one party moves out –
Or moves on all together…
There must be a way of making peace?
There must be.
Surely…
Not wanting to let my bin difficulties get out of hand,
I sought informed advice on conflict resolution
From schoolteachers, historians,
A middle east peace negotiator,
A dog trainer,
And my auntie Clare…
Joshua’s third solo show is about pursuing peace in the face of injustice.
Tickets £10 https://greatermanchesterfringe.co.uk/events/with-love-mr-gay/
Out Loud: An Anthology of Queer Northern Stories,
Presented by Switch_Mcr Theatre Company
An anthology of Queer Northern writing, celebrating LGBTQ+ voices from across history in collaboration with LGBTQ+ artists from Greater Manchester.
Thursday 25th – Saturday 27th July 2024
7.30pm (additional matinee performance on the 13th at 2.30pm)
£15/13* (limited £1 unwaged tickets available)
https://www.edgetheatre.co.uk/switch_mcr/
Boyography: 26th July, 7.30pm,
Social Refuge, 27 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester, M4 5AJ
Boyography is about two boys who meet, have sex and fall in love – only there’s a twist – they’re not gay.
This is a uniquely queer love story that looks at fluid sexuality, what it means to be a ‘boy’ in modern society and how young people are navigating intimacy, relationships and sex in a post-gay world.
Written and directed by Nick Maynard, featuring Isaac Radmore and George Bellamy.
ROUGH BOY is a new Manchester-based queer arts company creating bold new work for a bold queer audience, in theatre, clothing, fine art and print. The company launched in 2023, and had its debut at 53two with Je Suis Charlie in March this year. In May Rough Boy helped co-produce Qweerdog’s mini UK tour of Jump and is currently working with other partners to bring its own unique brand of queer art to Manchester.
TICKETS FROM: https://greatermanchesterfringe.co.uk/events/boyography/
SOCIAL MEDIA: @RoughBoyMCR
WEBSITE: https://roughboymcr.co.uk/
CONTACT: [email protected]
Pride Classical Liverpool, 26th July
A world-class 32-piece orchestra comes to Liverpool’s iconic waterfront to kick-start the Pride in Liverpool weekend.
A dazzling event for all the family, Pride Classical will see an ensemble of world-class LGBT+ artists and allies take to the stage to perform the best Pride and LGBT+ anthems of the last 50 years on Friday, 26 July.
Hosted by RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 4 Winner, Liverpool-born drag artist Danny Beard and West End star Alison Jiear,
Plus, more superstar cast members to be announced, it is set to be an evening not to be forgotten.
https://prideinliverpool.co.uk/classical/
Join the Queer Club Scene with The Sunday Boys
Saturday 27 July 7.30pm, Derby Hall, The Met, Market Street, Bury, BL9 0BW
Hear The Sunday Boys – Greater Manchester’s low voiced LGBTQ+ choir – share brand new music for choral voices combined with the sounds of the queer contemporary club scene.
Collaborating with artists Rosé Gold, Bennettiscoming and Mattu, the choir will present new commissions set to electronic music inspired by the club scene, and old favourites combining powerful live vocals with tracks in an evening of fusion and experimentation.
Pop-up performances from members of the choir will also occur across the day in and around The Met.
Get your tickets now – The Sunday Boys – Here and Queer | The Met
Sober Gay Socials are thrilled to announce an exciting new venture with their amazing sober community’s Soberbrighthuns and Love From as we bring you… “Sassy Up North… a Sober Extravaganza!”
Sat 27th July 13:30-18:00 Basement Bar at Bar Pop – Official, Canal Street, Manchester.
There will be the usual sober shenanigans of glitter, great selection of alcohol-free drinks, amazing music and DJ’s all served with a ‘Coronation St’ classic vibe.
They will be having a fabulous pre-party to get to know everyone over at Love From from midday then heading over to the main event at 1:30pm… They can’t wait to see you all there!
Tickets on sale now at:
YOUR DAD SELLS AVON is a Manchester based brand focused on Nightlife & Community.
The main goal of YDSA is to amplify the voices of Trans+, non-binary and POC individuals. YDSA’s creative platform is dedicated to providing an environment that celebrates diversity and encourages self-expression. This can be seen throughout the artwork of each event campaign. They heavily and exclusively feature the minority demographic groups mentioned.Every season, the YDSA team pick a different LGBTQ charity to raise funds for such as GHT, LGBT Foundation, Not a Phase etc. A pound from each final ticket sale is donated to the chosen charity on top of raising funds on the night.
Details of the next event:
YOUR DAD SELLS AVON // YDSA005 Queer Rave Returns for the 5th time at thew Deaf Institute taking over all 3 floors on the 3rd August 2024.
Top Floor: YDSA // 12 – 5 // Dance, Techno, House, Remixes, 3 DJs, Lasers, Glowsticks etc etc
Middle Floor: LIL MISS JACKIE // 11-3 // (Successful London based Queer Club night)
Basement Floor: TRL // Text Request Line // 11-3 // Launch Night
DJ Line Up:
Top Floor: (12-5): YDSA // Death by Snu Snu 12:00 // Forbid 01:00 // Meme Gold 03:00
Middle Floor: (11-3): LIL MISS JACKIE // Wiles 11:00 // Dullage 01:00 // Jackie P 02:00
Basement: TRL (11-3): TRL // Meme Gold 11:00 // DJ Yami 01:00
Tickets:
Tickets on sale on Now via www.YDSAevents.com (Limited numbers available on Skiddle)
Early Bird: £15 SOLD OUT
Standard Admission: £17 ON SALE NOW
HOME are thrilled to announce the sensational, award-winning production My Son’s a Queer, (But what can you do?) it will take the stage this summer ahead of Manchester PRIDE, as the acclaimed production makes its glittering debut in Manchester this August!
Written and performed by the multi-talented, social media sensation, My Son’s a Queer, (But what can you do?) has garnered widespread acclaim, evolving from a cult sensation to a WhatsOnStage award-winning and Olivier Award nominated production.
When Rob was 12, they attempted to stage a full-blown Disney parade in their house for their Grandma. As Rob donned a wig and played Mary Poppins, Ariel, Mickey Mouse and Belle, their Dad doubled as Stage Manager, Sound Technician and Goofy. Unfortunately, Dad missed all his cues and pushed all the floats in the wrong direction. Mum mistook Aladdin for Ursula. The costumes went awry and Ariel’s bubble gun didn’t work properly. Grandma had a nice time though.
My Son’s a Queer, (But what can you do?) is the joyous autobiographical story of Madge as they set out to recreate that infamous parade, inviting audiences on a journey filled with laughter, love, and the occasional mishap.
https://homemcr.org/production/my-sons-a-queer-but-what-can-you-do/
LGBT Foundation: Manchester Half Marathon places available
Calling all runners! Are you looking for a physical challenge to gear up for? Do you love the thrill of setting a new personal best? Well, LGBT Foundation have got some great news for you- they’ve got charity places available on the Manchester Half Marathon, taking place on the 13th October 2024. Places are free, all you need to do is fundraise £400 for LGBT Foundation’s life-saving services.
Email [email protected] to snap your place up and do something good for your fitness, your community and LGBTQ+ people nationwide. You will receive bespoke 1-1 stewardship, a stylish LGBTF running vest and a thank you pack if you get involved – as well as the obvious bragging rights and a fuzzy, warm feeling from doing something good. They hope to hear from as many of you as possible!
Stockport LGBT+ PLUS Active Walks
Get outdoors! Experience the best of our local wide-open spaces, beautiful countryside and parks. Feel physically refreshed and mentally improved, whilst networking and developing new friendships on their regular monthly walks in the big outdoors!
Find out more about Stockport LGBT+ PLUS on the below links:
Website: www.stockportplus.org
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/StockportPLUS
Online Community: www.facebook.com/groups/StockportPLUS