GM LGBTQ+ Community Network Newsletter
Friday, 19th May 2023Afternoon:
Please see below.
Pride in Trafford ’23: On Till – Sat 20th May ‘23
Wednesday 17 May, Pride in Trafford sashays into Sale for four days of fierce, fabulous fun.
If love is a battlefield, then being Bi is WAR! Or so says Sam Danson, creator of a brand-new commission, Bi-Topia. Directed by the inimitable Rikki Beadle Blair, MBE, it’s a candid, funny, sideways look at sexuality and mental health and runs till – 20 May. (I went to see it last night and I would highly recommend Bi-Topia, powerfully written and beautifully created).
Jane McDonald superfan Daniel Valentine dishes the dirt on what happened when he really met the Queen of the High Seas. Don’t miss the 5* Edinburgh Festival Fringe hit, Jesus, Jane, Mother and Me on 19 May.
The compact disco will be rolling into Pride on the Plaza on 20 May from 12pm, playing all your favourite camp classics from a giant, glittery disco ball. Request your favourite tune, bop along and then enjoy a performance by Levantes Dance, who will be spilling the (High) Tea With a Twist. Dressed to impress with matching costumes and elaborate headgear, the show is a glorious blend of acrobatics and theatrical high jinx in an explosion of colour and silliness. There will also be a Mini Pride especially for little ones, featuring craft activities and interactive storytelling. Pride on the Plaza is for all ages, and all the events are free. There’s no need to book.
Two free art exhibitions will be running throughout Pride in Trafford.
EMERGENCY will be an outdoor installation created by local artist Myro Doodles following conversation with young LGBTQ+ people across Trafford, as a response to the rise in hate crime and threats to equal rights across the world.
There will also be an interactive installation accompanying Bi-Topia, where you’ll be able to add in your own thoughts and experiences around building a more inclusive world.
Find out more and book on the Pride in Trafford website https://www.prideintrafford.org/
BI-TOPIA: A candid exploration of an authentic Bisexual experience, By Sam Danson
Waterside Arts Sale. On till 20th May
https://watersidearts.org/whats-on/3327-bi-topia/
Pride in Trafford: Closing Party – Sat 20th May Pride Cabaret Night
Mano a Bocca – 7pm till Midnight, Dinner, Cabaret & Disco
Hosted by the fabulous Belinda Scandal Advance tickets £55, Includes Prosecco on arrival.
Raising Funds for LGBT Foundation
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/577542644597
Read the weekly newsletter from Canal St Manchester:
https://www.canal-st.co.uk/canal-st-online-newsletter
LGBTQ+ Weekly Bulletin from Reach (Manchester Evening News)
https://e.reachplc.com/interface/external_view_email.php?RE6516714666644819zzzzz6400b7b1ebd6fc6fb1b470c8c1f45d4d57052f457d5ba5dbb7bbba6295ffcf464e&varId=
Stonewall: Stand Up For The Equality Act,
https://mailchi.mp/stonewall/stand-up-for-the-equality-act?e=78e7d82d93
Forever Manchester: Funding Grants & Fundraising Across Greater Manchester.
https://email-forevermanchester.com/557N-RK1L-5BBAECC4490813D81WGZE8161DBAAEF28BCFA7/cr.aspx
Consortium LGBT+ May Fundraising News
https://mailchi.mp/d017f1e5aa7d/funding-news-apr23-8061225?e=4ef77ba796
I Love Manchester: Events Not to Miss.
https://ilovemanchester.com/
I Love Manchester: Inaugural Awards – Nominations Now Open
https://mailchi.mp/842c4663db8e/save-the-date?e=5e68cf27a0
Greater Manchester Combined Authority: May 2023 Newsletter
https://mailchi.mp/greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/latest-news-and-updates-from-gmca-gmfrs-and-mayor-of-greater-manchester-459246?e=45fac8e26f
LGBT Foundation “The Community Café”
Every Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Have a brew and a chat with other LGBTQ+ people at their sober space, located in the heart of Manchester’s Gay Village
Fairbairn House, 2nd Floor, 72 Sackville Street, Manchester M1 3NJ
www.lgbt.foundation
MediaCityUK Church and Community Hub is based in Oasis Academy MediaCityUK on Trafford Road.
They are a partnership between Oasis and the United Reformed Church (URC). They work with all in their local communities of Ordsall, Langworthy and MediaCity and all of their activities are inclusive, accessible and open to anyone who is interested in attending – they are not limited to the local community or to the school.
Their church is visible in all they do; whether that’s through the Community Food Store, or play group, or their Talk English group or weekly café. But now they are ready to restart MediaCityUK Church, so I’m delighted to tell you that they are re-launching with 2 exciting opportunities:
Holy Hub
This is their new Thursday night group, meeting from 5pm at the Hub, to discuss any questions you may have about faith, church, religion and how to put into practice what is learnt in church and from reading the Bible etc. Any questions that you want to ask, but have not wanted to do in church, bring them – they can’t guarantee answers, but they can have the conversations. And the kettle is always on!!
MediaCityUK Church (from Sunday 28 May at 11am)
This is an opportunity to go deeper into what it is they believe and practice with music; prayer and discussion around scripture on how to live out our discipleship in a changing world. With worship and sharing both word and refreshments.
Both are open to all who wish to attend, either Thursday or Sunday or both.
http://www.mediacityukchurch.org.uk/
Open Table Service (Safe Sacred Space for LGBTQIA+ Christians and their friends) at Sacred Trinity Church they are pleased to have as their guest preacher Rev’d Grace Thomas. Open Table is open to all from the LGBT+ community and friends. Grace is a Vicar in Clifton in Salford and Environmental Officer for the Diocese of Manchester. Sunday 21st May, 6.45pm for drinks and chat with service starting at 7.15pm – Sacred Trinity, C of E, Chapel Street, Salford, M3 7WQ
George House Trust Drag Ball 2023:
Thursday 25th May 2023 from 6.30pm until 11pm at The Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, Manchester.
The George House Trust Drag Ball returns for 2023, bigger, bolder and brasher than ever before.
They’re delighted to invite you to join us for a drag extravanganza, in the way that only Manchester can deliver.
Co-hosted by their fabulous ambassadors Misty Chance and Anna Phylactic, they also have an amazing array of Manchester’s top drag performers confirmed, with Chichi Monroe, Donna Trump, Annabelle Lecter, Beverly Tight Lipps, Coco Pop, Missie Jay, Verry Cherry, Marie La Rae, Wolfy, Haus of Lasair, The Vicar’s Daughter and performers from Cruz 101 Manchester, Glitter Palace and Filthy Gorgeous all set to grace the stage on the night.
Join Them: Tickets are on sale NOW priced at £75 each. Or, why not get your friends together and buy a table for 10 people for £700. You will get a welcome drink, delicious food and an evening crammed full of amazing entertainment by some of Manchester’s finest drag performers.
All proceeds from the 2023 Drag Ball will support people living with HIV and help build a world where HIV holds no one back.
If you have any questions before you book, please contact [email protected]
Greater Sport, in partnership with 10GM, are excited to launch a brand-new piece of research around volunteering in sport, physical activity and movement. If this sounds like something you’d be excited to learn more about, have an opportunity to share your views, and get involved in helping shape the next steps of the work, we invite you to read the research report (with the key recommendations on pages 32-36), before joining the inaugural GM Moving Volunteering Community of Practice on the morning of Thursday 25thMay.
Stockport LGBT+ Plus: Big Group Outing – Southport
Date: Saturday 27th May 2023
Meet: Southport Tavern from 11.15am until everyone arrives.
Join them on their first big group outing for 2023 organised by Stockport LGBT+ PLUS and Spectrum.
They will be visiting Landmarks, Rides, Bars, Getting Food, Celebrating Members Birthdays and Socialising Together. You are free to enjoy the day with any friends you choose and then lastly, you will reunite to socialise as a group before going home.
They will meet at the Southport Tavern from 11.15am (Pub directly opposite Southport train station). If you wish to travel by train together with the group please let them know!
Please confirm your attendance via the online form or email:
Confirm attendance via the online form: https://forms.gle/JM4n4s1qWNK89twF7
Travel by train with the group:
Train from Piccadilly to Southport: Departs at 10:02am / Arrives at 11.25am
Meet the group at Piccadilly under the central information screens from 9.45am
If you require a lift by car due to mobility issues please contact [email protected]
They have one driver volunteering to pick up and return between Stockport and Southport.
Calling All Trans Revolutionaries!
For the first event of Trans Vegas 2023 artist Liv Wynter, Partisan at Islington Mill, and Trans Creative are collaborating on a new project and they need YOU!
Workshop One: 30th May at Islington Mill, 6-8pm. Free to Attend.
Join artist Liv Wynter for a series of workshops exploring and confronting life as a trans person in the UK at the moment. Looking to direct action and creative practice for inspiration, we will collectively create and execute an artistic intervention representing our needs, struggles, promises and threats!
Liv Wynter is a trans and working class grassroots organiser and performer. They create political live art, sometimes alone but more often with bands and collectives, particularly at their sell out night, How To Catch A Pig, . They spent 2022 touring stadiums with Queer House Party, playing Secret Garden Party, Boomtown, Wilderness, Latitude and Sziget. Liv is a dedicated abolitionist grass roots organiser and stands in solidarity with all groups organising against oppression.
Quit your job, join a band, start a gang!
Sign up here:
Pride Classical Live: Manchester 2nd June Blackpool 3rd June
The soundtrack to 50 years of love, hope and celebration, Pride Classical fuses anthemic melodies with irresistible rhythms and evocative lyrics. Songs by disco stars, divas and drag queens mark the moments in which we’ve fallen in love, declared our love and learned our love is possible.
Now through new orchestral arrangements, same-sex duets and medleys juxtaposing eulogy and euphoria, this concert celebrates everyone who shares our love, and our pride.
Celebrating the LGBTQ+ Community
At the heart of the concert is a brand-new Pride Anthem, conceived and composed by local community members and performed by the full orchestra to celebrate what Pride means today.
More info and tickets: www.prideclassical.com
Legacy of ’67 – The Symposium, Tuesday 6th June, 9.30am – 4.30pm
Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS
The Symposium is a day-long gathering of presentations, discussion and debate inspired by speakers from the arts, law, academia, research and more exploring the changes in attitude towards LGBTQ+ people since the 1967 Sexual Offences Act, and how these changes have impacted our communities. Engaging, stimulating, conversational, discursive, thought provoking,
funny, participatory and open to everyone.
Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided.
Please inform them of any dietary requirements and they will do our best to accommodate.
IAP:MCR encourages the use of public transport wherever possible
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/legacy-of-67-the-symposium-tickets-629291366417
Queer in Tech is a community group focused on empowering LGBT+ people working in tech, with candid conversations about barriers to inclusion in the industry and the road to progress. Join them on 8th June for an evening of inspiring talks, discussions, and networking.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/queer-in-tech-tickets-630645296057
Lesbian theatre show: 30 and Out – 7th and 8th June, 53Two
Coming to Manchester as part of a national tour is this filthy, funny exploration of LGBTQ+ identity and coming out. When Kit turns 30, she leaves her boyfriend and the closet and blows up her life. Join her as she figures out who she is in a whirlwind of drugs, clubs and heartbreak. Woven into the show are excerpts of interviews with lesbians of all ages across the UK, showcasing the diversity of the community and using the label ‘lesbian’ to celebrate, uplift and include!
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/30-and-out-tickets-559526748567
HOME MCR: Drag Addict Tues 18 July – Sat 12 Aug
Tickets are now available for Drag Addict a spleen different new musical full of high stakes, high emotions and even higher heels!
With choreography by former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips, and high energy bangers and catchy tunes by Matt Caine and David Andrew Wilson, this new musical takes to the HOME stage this summer.
It’s summer in Manchester. It’s raining (obviously) and on Canal Street storm clouds of another sort are gathering – Club Fierce is under threat. But Dolly Ravage – godmother of the Gay Village – isn’t going down without a fight. Can she recruit six queens to slay the runway and reinvent the club as the all-new House of Ferocity in time to save it from property developers? Or will the arrival of the mysterious Bobby Carter from America – hiding a secret that could change everything – derail her battle to save the soul of the scene?
Drag Addict combines musical theatre, pop music and drag and creates one fierce, funny, uplifting and heart-warming show!
https://homemcr.org/production/drag-addict/?dm_i=6OM7,QFVF,21F6WF,3A69O,1
Gaydio Academy ‘Culture Hub’
The Gaydio Academy is looking for venues, festivals, organisations, shops, museums/gallery’s that really make up a part of Manchester culture. They are looking to bring along their participants to film your location to create content which will then be produced into a 1-minute video with it containing lots of 4/5 seconds of snap recordings throughout the visit. This will then be produced and narrated to promote what you are trying to offer, then set on the Academy’s socials pages and website and possibly used for the Gaydio Evenings shows and website.
This is completely free as it is part of a project the Academy is running. If you would like the extra exposer, please can you email the Academy Manager, Lee Barnes, with a short intro of your organisation and he will get back to you.
His email is [email protected]
Save The Date for 2023: Greater Manchester Pride Events Taking Place
Pride in Trafford Wed 17th – Sat 20th May This Weekend
Pride on the Range Sat 27th May
Salford Pink Picnic Sat 17th June
Pride in Wythenshawe Sat 24th June
Rochdale in Rainbows Sun 16th July
Sparkle Fri 7th – Sun 9th July
Tameside Pride Sat 15th July
Oldham Pride Fri 21st – Sun 23rd July
Pride in Bolton Fri 28th – Sun 30th July
Stockport Pride Sun 30th July
Levenshulme Pride Fri 11th – Sun 13th Aug
Wigan Pride Sat 12th Aug
Prestwich Pride Sat 12th – Mon 14th Aug
Manchester Pride Fri 25th – Mon 28th Aug
Didsbury Pride Sat 2nd Sept
Chorlton Pride Sat 16th Sept
Just outside Greater Manchester but only a short distance away:
Happy Valley Pride, (Hebden Bridge), will be held over the week from 24th July to 30th July 202
More GM Pride Events may be announced in the near future:
To keep up to date, Twitter: @GM_PrideNetwork
Manchester Pride Grant Application Form
The Manchester Pride Charity is now inviting applications from charities, grassroots organisations and LGBTQ+ good causes for a Manchester Pride Community grant. The new grants application process has been co-designed in consultation with LGBTQ+ community groups based in Manchester to ensure the process is fair and easy and serves communities’ needs. Grants from £250 – £1000 are available to support grassroots community groups and organisations. This fund is designed to support the activities of local community groups,
https://form.jotform.com/230734809193056
HERE-Bi is an eight-week group for young bisexual people who have experienced non-suicidal self-injury urges, thoughts, or behaviours. This group aims to boost self-esteem through weekly, 90-minute sessions. The research study will be looking at how feasible this group is.
Are you.. 16-25 years old? Identify as bisexual or as being attracted to more than one gender? Have experienced thoughts or urges to self-injure or have self-injured within the last 6 months? Able to attend an online group once a week for eight weekly sessions of 90-minutes?
Email [email protected] for more information, or search @bisexualMH on Twitter for updates! Participants will be reimbursed for their time and participation.
Concerned YOU Are Experiencing Domestic Abuse?
Pop-in to one of Bury monthly support sessions. Bury Adult Learning Service, 18 Haymarket street, Bury, BL9 0AQ, Last Monday of the month 11am – 3pm.
To book a specific appointment email: [email protected] Tel: 0345 303030 www.lgbt.foundation/domesticabuse
A Grounding in LGBTQ+ Mental Health
Do you or any of your colleagues or friends want to know a bit more about #LGBTQ+ mental health and well-being? If so, this introductory session may be helpful! CPD certificates can of course be provided for anyone that would like one https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-grounding-in-lgbtq-mental-health-tickets-605734376827
If you have any questions at all, please do get in touch: [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
Grants Available to start a Bike Library:
Bike libraries are local hubs that will allow people to borrow a bicycle, like a book, to try out. They aim to boost access to cycles and give people a chance to give cycling a go.
Bike libraries are generally based in the heart of a community, within easy reach by foot, in places such as community centres, schools, village halls or local business premises.
Bike libraries do accept donations of bikes. If you have a bike you no longer use and would like to donate then please contact your local bike library to discuss arranging this.
For more Info: https://beeactive.tfgm.com/cycling/bike-libraries/
Trafford Council are in the process of writing a new Housing Strategy for the borough. As part of the initial consultation process, they have launched a survey where Trafford residents can share their views on housing in the borough. They would like as many responses as possible to ensure the new Housing Strategy reflects Trafford’s population.
They would be grateful if you could share the survey amongst staff and customers who are resident in the Trafford borough.
The survey can be accessed here: https://trafford.citizenspace.com/place/housing-strategy-survey
If anyone would prefer a PDF version of the survey, please email [email protected] to request this.
Job Vacancies:
LGBT Foundation:
Find out about the latest job vacancies with the LGBT Foundation:
Grants & Contracts Manager
https://lgbt.foundation/jobs
Touchstones Rochdale / Your Trust
Lancashire LGBT
Programme Coordinator 37.5 hrs per week
Salary £27,300
Closing date: Midnight Jun 4th 2023
Interview date June 22nd 2023 at their office in Preston
Do you have experience of managing volunteers? Experience of project management? Do you have a good understanding of the challenges and issues LGBTQ+ people experience? Are you a self-starter who is reliable, with excellent communication and administration skills? Lancashire LGBT would like to hear from you!
They are looking for a Programme Coordinator primarily to recruit, retain and manage volunteers as well as be responsible for communications and project monitoring.
This role is funded for 4 years with potential for promotion and progression in their charity.
Please see Job Description and Person Specification for more details.
https://lancslgbt.org.uk/were-hiring/
This post is funded for 4 years by the National Lottery Community Fund
_________________________________________________________
If you would like to have an informal discussion about this role, please contact:
Lewis Turner, Chief Executive
Lancashire LGBT
Derby House, Lytham Rd,
Preston PR2 8JE
[email protected]
Mobile: 07788 294993
Volunteering Opportunities:
Sparkle – The National Transgender Charity:
Sparkle – The National Transgender Charity is recruiting for a new Treasurer and key volunteer positions within the charity that support the long-term sustainability of the charity.
They are also launching, and recruiting mentees for an LGBTQ+ Leadership Mentoring program; offering high-performing LGBTQ+ people the opportunity to get experience of operating at Board level, supporting delivery of the organisation’s strategy, and being mentored by a Board member. This opportunity will suit individuals looking to advance their careers in the third or private sector.
The charity is also recruiting volunteers to help run the Sparkle Weekend on 7-9th July 2023; the largest annual celebration of transgender and gender non-conforming people within the UK.
For Trustee and key volunteer roles, we will require a summary of experience, reference and a personal statement (500-1000 words or 5-8 minute video) outlining your skills and experience for the position, and what unique qualities you can bring to support the continued success of Sparkle – The National Transgender Charity.
If you are interested in volunteering for the Sparkle Weekend, please complete our Expression of Interest form. From here, our Volunteer Co-ordinator will get in touch with you.
Trustee Position l Treasurer – JD Treasurer.docx
Key Volunteer l Community Engagement Lead – JD Community Engagement Lead.docx
Key Volunteer l Festival Partnerships Lead Generator – JD Lead Generator.docx
Key Volunteer l Leadership Mentoring Program – JD Leadership Mentee.docx
All sharable links expire 01/06/23
LGBT Foundation:
Are you passionate about supporting LGBT communities? Do you want to help LGBT Foundation create a fair and equal society where all lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people are able to reach their full potential? At LGBT Foundation we are happy to start recruitment again for volunteers to join our team as we continue to make a difference during the Coronavirus pandemic.
LGBT Foundation have a very simple motto – we’re here if you need us. And that applies to everyone in our beautifully diverse communities. If you’re young, we’re here for you; if you’re older, we’re here for you; if you’re a person of colour, we’re here for you; if you’re a man, a woman, or non-binary, we’re here for you; lesbian, gay, bi, trans – however you describe yourself – we’re here for you. If you need help, if you’re struggling, if you need a friendly face or reassuring voice, we are there for you if you need us. We are all family – and at LGBT Foundation, everyone is welcome.
Below you can find information on the programmes recruiting at the moment, the role profiles for the various different volunteering roles and how to apply. https://lgbt.foundation/regular-volunteering-roles
M6 Theatre Company are looking for new trustees to join them and help shape their future.
This is an exciting time to join M6 Theatre Company’s Board of Trustees and help support their continuing success. They are particularly keen to hear from potential trustees who have a speciality in finance, HR, environmental responsibility, theatre management or who have lived experience of M6’s services. They also want to hear from those who represent the cultural diversity of their local community of Rochdale, but if you think you could make a contribution that’s not listed here, they would still love to hear from you.
More information can be found on their website: Jobs & Opportunities – m6 Theatre Company
Canal St VIP Card:
Recently, several of their card holders expressed surprise about the savings available at their growing list of non-hospitality businesses and so they are kicking off 2023 with a reminder about the savings at retailers for Art, furniture, footwear, literature, specialist online services, photography, doggie goodies and so many more.
They also offer a number of more specialised services in their professional listing.
Take a moment to remind yourself of what/where you will benefit. CLICK HERE
* They are delighted to confirm that they have made their third donation to George House Trust in 2022, directly from increased sales of the card and phone covers. Need to buy or renew your card? To buy card and phone together
Gay Pride Shop & The LGBTQ+ Book Shop
The UK’s largest LGBTQ+ store in located in Afflecks in Manchester city centre and online at www.gayprideshop.co.uk. Over 7000 items in stock, with their profits shared with Manchester charities. They also cater for large corporate orders, for items such as lanyards, flags and badges, with corporate discounts available. For corporate/business orders, please contact [email protected]
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]
Kind Regards
Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL
Pronouns: He / Him / His