GM LGBTQIA+ Community Network Newsletter
Friday, 14th March 2025Good Afternoon
Read the weekly newsletter from Canal St Manchester:
https://canal-st.co.uk/?na=v&nk=13316-ff801782ef&id=93
LGBTQ+ Weekly Bulletin from Manchester Evening News
https://newsletters.e.reachplc.com/zriBvLd7Rq-hWTJ6B2HscL/cGHcJwGwOCYjBtJtadG5/-eMcT2Dl4IjcFj6ruYxs/LnBp2KBYRcv00z9MaunX/mjc5ZuYIAlau4ZzCWFm3/F0O8VwwFu5Rjo6dF7ppe/SAc2/Cgoy.php?ID=8ONeioCa
Fighting with Pride: Regional and National Update
https://mailchi.mp/fightingwithpride/fwp-national-and-regional-update-march-2025
Consortium: For Stronger LGBT+ Communities
Funding News: https://mailchi.mp/a19978ac00f9/funding-news-jun23-10897273?e=4ef77ba796
Sector News: https://mailchi.mp/65b6f885df54/mar25?e=4ef77ba796
Proud 2B Parents: Monthly Newsletter
https://mailchi.mp/0f0491ad43cc/march-2025-monthly-email-16527790?e=c3332628fc
The Queer Zine Machine (based at 42nd Street) is currently looking for submissions from LGBTQ+ identifying young people aged between 13-19 for our brand-new zine!
The theme of the zine is Queer Representation in the Media and how this impacts health and wellbeing. The finished zine will be distributed all across Greater Manchester!
Submissions can come in the form of: artwork, writings, media reviews, posters, fanart, rants, etc.
If you know any young people that have some work they’d like to submit or have an idea they’re not sure how to bring to life, feel free to get in touch!
The deadline for final submissions is Monday the 17th of March, 11:59pm.
Their young people have put together these prompts to help get the creative energies flowing:
- What queer media do you recommend/don’t recommend?
- How does queer media affect young people’s wellbeing?
- How does seeing queer media make you feel?
- What was your first Queer media experience?
Young people can send any submissions or questions they have to [email protected].
LGBT Foundation: Free Financial Planning Event, 24th March, 5pm – 6pm Online:
The Gay Gordons Manchester: Tartan Day Dance
The Tartan Day dance will be on Saturday 5th April 2025 and will be held in St. Matthews Church Hall, Chapel Lane, Stretford, M32 9AJ.
They will start at 7.30pm Prompt till 10.30pm dancing to the music of Andrew Lyon. Tickets in advance or on the door are £10.00 each with discount for Gay Gordon’s Manchester members and RSCDS members.
You may also book your ticket online through PayPal (www.gay-gordons-manchester.co.uk/page12.html) or reserve one by contacting them on 07533 587 770.
There is no bar but you are allowed to bring your own soft drinks or alcohol.
As in the past this will be a “Faith Supper/Bring and Share” event, which means everyone brings along a small contribution to the buffet which is shared between everyone.
This will be preceded by their Day School which can be booked separately through our website.
https://www.gay-gordons-manchester.co.uk/
Gaydio Academy:
New course taking place in Liverpool – April
Are you aged 16-25 (or maybe a year or two older)? Are you new to Gaydio courses?
They have a fantastic new FREE training course ‘Storytelling for Podcasting’, brought to you by Gaydio and Audible! 🎧✨ This is your chance to dive into the world of podcasting, whether you’re an absolute beginner or looking to sharpen your skills—and you don’t need to be LGBTQ+ to take part!
It’s a daytime course (10am to 4pm): Liverpool
- Wednesday 23 April
- Thursday 24 April
- Monday 28 April
- Tuesday 29 April
This hands-on course will have you mastering storytelling, interviewing, and podcast creation with multi-award-winning podcaster and author Emma Goswell.
What’s in store?
- Get to know Gaydio, our audience, and the art of interviewing
- Learn storytelling & scripting before heading out to gather content
- Shape your podcast by reviewing and structuring your recordings
- Step into the studio for a recording and editing session
This is your chance to bring stories to life and gain expert training in a fun, creative environment! And it’s FREE. Don’t miss out — sign up here:
(Please also put Liverpool next to your name)
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to [email protected].
Toxic: Not another play about gay pride shame
Written by Nathaniel J Hall, A Dibby Theatre Production, A HOME Mcr Commission
Following its sell-out debut at HOME in Manchester in 2023, actor, writer and HIV activist Nathaniel J Hall is taking his critically acclaimed second play, Toxic on tour from March 2025 to venues across the UK. Produced by Dibby Theatre, this hilarious and heartbreaking semi-autobiographical show is written and performed by Hall alongside Josh-Susan Enright.
Set in the hedonistic world of Manchester’s underground queer rave scene Toxic tells the story of two people who, in their own words, ‘meet, fall in love, and f*ck it up.’ Born into Thatcher’s Britain of race riots and rampant homophobia and growing up in the shadow of Aids and Section 28, the pair form a trauma bond so tight, they might just survive it all. But sometimes survival means knowing when to leave. Told through a heady mix of storytelling, movement, witty dialogue, original music and club visuals, this powerful and passionate play dares to pull back the glittery curtain of pride to reveal a place where many still suffer the impact generational homophobia, racism, toxic gender norms and HIV stigma.
16th – 19th April: The Lowry, Salford https://thelowry.com/whats-on/256//toxic
17th & 18th May: Storyhouse, Chester
www.dibbytheatre.org | @DibbyTheatre
Manchester Frontrunners Presents: IT’S A PIECE OF CAKE 10K!
Running and cake? What could be better? Saturday 3rd May 2025 sees the return of IT’S A PIECE OF CAKE 10K, a 10K race hosted by Manchester Frontrunners, Manchester’s premier LGBTQ+ running club. Join them for a chip-timed, community-focused 10 km road race through Boggart Hole Clough, one of Manchester’s loveliest parks and a true hidden gem. Plus, indulge in a delectable array of homemade delights from their legendary charity cake sale in aid of George House Trust. This year’s race will be extra special, as not only will we be celebrating the 10th anniversary of our race, but also the 20th anniversary of Manchester Frontrunners. Whether you’ve run with them in the past or not, they would love to see you there!
More information: https://www.manchesterfrontrunners.org/itsapieceofcake10k
Entries: https://bookitzone.com/manchester_frontrunners/xKjFFX
Sale Salvation Army invites you to: “There’s a place for us” – concert on Sat 10th May 2025 at 6pm,
27 Ashton Lane, Sale.
Featuring:
- Sale Salvation Army Band
- Vocal Soloist: Tim Reynolds
Supported by:
Wellfield Primary School Choir, Svitoch Chamber Choir, Sale Salvation Army Songsters and Young in Heart Choir.
Tickets are free – available from:
www.ticketsource.co.uk/sale-salvation-army
Save The Date: Dates announced for GM & Northwest Pride Events for 2025
| Bolton | T.B.C | ||||
| Bury | Saturday 7th June | ||||
| Bury Rainbow Train | 6th or 7th April | ||||
| Chorlton | Saturday 13th September (Prov) | ||||
| Didsbury | Saturday 30th August | ||||
| Happy Valley Pride Levenshulme | Saturday 26th July
Friday 8th – Sunday 10th August |
||||
| Manchester Pride | August Bank Holiday Weekend | ||||
| Oldham | 26th July | ||||
| Prestwich | 9th August – weekend | ||||
| Ramsbottom | T.B.C | ||||
| Rochdale | Sunday 22nd June | ||||
| Salford Pink Picnic | Saturday 21st June (Updated) | ||||
| Sparkle | Friday 27th – Sunday 29th June | ||||
| Stockport | Sunday 1st June | ||||
| Tameside | T.B.C | ||||
| Trafford | Tuesday 13th – Sunday 18th May | ||||
| Trans Pride | Saturday 2nd August | ||||
| Weaste Pride | Saturday 12th July | ||||
| Whalley Range | Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th May | ||||
| Wigan | Saturday 16th August | ||||
| Withington | Saturday 20th September (Prov) | ||||
| Wythenshawe | T.B.C | ||||
| Pride in Nature with RHS Bridgewater | Sunday 7th September | ||||
Opportunities with Manchester Pride:
Parade
Parade applications are now also open. They are delighted to invite all LGBTQ+ organisations to join this year’s parade for FREE, you can apply HERE. It is important for local LBGTQ+ groups and organisations to have visibility in Manchester and beyond. Join them and come together in the Love Parade, this year’s parade theme.
https://www.manchesterpride.com/parade
GVP & Mardi Gras Tickets
They are delighted to be expanding Manchester Pride across the city with their new event, Mardi Gras! As you may have seen Manchester Pride’s Gay Village Party & Mardi Gras tickets will be on sale next week! Read more here: https://www.manchesterpride.com/mardi-gras
Volunteer Opportunities
There will be many volunteering opportunities in different areas this year such as Gay Village Party,The Rally, Candle Lit Vigil, Superbia Festival, Youth Pride MCR, Family Pride and others! All volunteers for Manchester Pride get free access to the events and food provided over the weekend. They will be in contact soon with all volunteer opportunities, so please keep an eye out!
Community Sessions
Their next Community Session is on Queer Magic! This session will be all about witchcraft and the history of queer magic with a special guest expert facilitator. The session will take place at the historic Affleck’s Palace, don’t miss out reserve your free spot here now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-session-queer-magic-tickets-1253052897949?aff=oddtdtcreator
Grants
Their grants applications are now OPEN, and they encourage community groups to apply! Their grants are available to any charities, community groups, organisations, individuals and independent artist collectives that help the LGBTQ+ communities in Greater Manchester. Community and Superbia Grants are available for up to £1000. Impact Fund Grants are available for up to £10,000.
IMPORTANT: For any Community and Superbia projects/events that you wish to take place during or before Manchester Pride 2025, you must apply during Round One – which is open now until April 30th – to ensure your application can be approved and funded in time.
- Round 1 Applications open: February 3rd – April 30th
- Round 2 Applications open: August 4th – September 30th
Impact grant applications are now open and close on March 21st. These grants are for bigger longer term projects that support the wellbeing of local LGBTQ+ individuals in Manchester.
Impact Fund Eligibility Checker Form: https://form.jotform.com/232213125915043
Superbia and Community Grant Application Guidance: https://form.jotform.com/222774606632054
If you have any questions or queries please get in touch with Binta Williams [email protected]
Have you signed up to Bee in the Loop?
Greater Manchester Police’s free community messaging system sends an update straight to your email inbox – you can find out what is taking place in your area and hear from your local neighbourhood officers.
Sign up here – https://orlo.uk/vsgSw
Positive East are making three new quilt panels to reflect the current era of the HIV/AIDS pandemic based on photos that people upload of themselves.
Everyone can get involved, regardless of where you live or whether you are living with HIV or are an ally to the U=U message.
The AIDS quilts (you can read about the UK one here: https://www.aidsquiltuk.org ) are an incredible piece of social history from a time when the prognosis for people with HIV was nothing like it is today. Thankfully, things have changed, so it’s time new quilts to commemorate the modern era of HIV care.
One of the hallmarks of the evolution of HIV management has been U=U (undetectable=untransmittable), a concept the medical establishment was slow to embrace but thanks to a vocal and evidence-based community led by Bruce Richman & the Prevention Access Campaign it is a concept that is now enshrined in guidelines, practice and, increasingly, public perceptions about HIV.
So what better theme for these quilts than U=U? Each will be 2030 x 2030mm (if you know, you know, if you don’t you can read about the global 2030 goals here https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2024/july/20240726_2030-target-setting)
https://www.positiveeast.org.uk/uequalsu/
2025 marks Sparkle’s 20th Anniversary:
20 years of celebration, advocacy, and education. The 2025 Sparkle Weekend will be held on Friday 27th – Sunday 29th June in Sackville Gardens, Manchester. The Sparkle Weekend is the original celebration of gender diversity – featuring live entertainment, workshops, wellbeing activities, family and youth provision, sober spaces, market traders, food, drink, and much more!
You can sign up to their newsletter here to get all of their updates. You can also follow on social media to stay updated on our events and initiatives:
Facebook – Instagram – LinkedIn
They will soon be announcing Sparkle Weekend market stall applications, volunteer recruitment, and sponsorship opportunities! If you have any questions, drop them an email at [email protected]
LGBTQ+ Manchester Walking Tour
Meeting at the Monument to Vimto on Sackville Street (just near the railway bridge (Look for the giant bottle!) – M1 3BU
Its £10pp (Card or cash – Pay at the end of the tour)
To Book – Contact Josh either via email: [email protected] / or EventBrite
So, what is an LGBQ+ Tour of Manchester….
You get to discover the history of Manchester’s Gay Village on a fun, informative walking tour.
Explore iconic landmarks, hidden street art, and legendary pubs, while learning about Manchester’s LGBT+ heroes and trailblazers—from Victorian drag balls through to RuPaul stars.
Led by Josh, an MA graduate of Manchester’s LGBT+ history, the tour is perfect for visitors and locals alike as well as a great way to meet like-minded people whilst celebrating our city’s Queer culture.
For info on future tours, see: https://www.freemanchesterwalkingtours.com/lgbtmanchesterwalkingtour
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 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
Business Sponsorship Opportunities:
The Liverpool Tritons, Merseyside’s pioneering LGBTQ+ and allies rugby club, is gearing up for an exciting season, and They’re seeking local partners to share in their journey.
Since 2016, They’ve fostered a diverse, welcoming space for men of all backgrounds and identities to play competitively in the IGR UK League and enjoy friendly local matches. They also offer an inclusive All Gender Touch Rugby program – perfect for anyone seeking a social, low-impact way to experience the thrills of rugby.
Why partner with the Liverpool Tritons?
- Reach a diverse audience: Engage with our active community of players, supporters, and families, representing a vibrant cross-section of Merseyside.
- Align with inclusive values: Showcase your commitment to diversity and LGBTQ+ inclusion through a partnership that resonates with your customers and employees.
- Boost brand visibility: Gain prominent logo placement on our kit, website, social media, and event materials, reaching thousands across the region.
- Generate positive PR: Be associated with a community-driven organization promoting sportsmanship, teamwork, and social well-being.
- Employee engagement opportunities: Offer volunteering or team-building activities with the Tritons, fostering community spirit within your company.
They have a range of flexible sponsorship packages tailored to your needs and budget. From kit sponsorship to event support, we can create a win-win collaboration that amplifies your brand while driving positive change in our community.
To discuss how a partnership with the Liverpool Tritons could benefit both your organisations, please contact: Dan Parker, Fundraising and Sponsorship Officer, Liverpool Tritons RUFC Email – [email protected]
Instagram – Liverpooltritons_rufc
Facebook – Liverpool Tritons
Website – https://www.tritonsrufc.co.uk
Surveys / Questionnaires:
Stockport LGBTQ+ Network Priorities
Calling all Stockport LGBTQ+ people and allies!
They want to know what are your priorities when it comes to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Stockport.
Please take the time to fill out our survey via this link https://forms.gle/ngLdfnzDPfYDbry17.
Jobs / Volunteering:
George House Trust:
Roles available
- Peer Navigator[s]
https://ght.org.uk/about-us/join-us
Rochdale & District Mind (Including Bury & N.E. Lancs):
Deputy Head of Operations
They are seeking a Deputy Head of Operations to play a key role in delivering impactful mental health services and driving operational excellence.
Position: Deputy Head of Operations
Salary: £38,000 – £40,000 FTE (£30,400 – £32,000 pro rata)
Location: Rochdale, with some flexibility for hybrid working
Hours: 28 hours per week (4 days), with flexibility for meetings and service requirements
Closing Date: 17th March 2025 5pm
Interviews: 21st March 2025
About the Role
As the Deputy Head of Operations, you will support the Head of Operations in managing and developing mental health services across the organisation. You will provide leadership to service managers, ensuring operational efficiency, effective service delivery, and alignment with the organisation’s values and goals.
About the Organisation
You will be working for an independent, local mental health charity who have been providing services to those within the Borough of Rochdale for 35 years! They are committed to promoting recovery and well-being, empowering individuals to lead meaningful lives, through a range of services and group sessions. Dedicated to empowering individuals with mental health needs to lead fulfilling lives. Their services prioritise lived experience, collaboration, and community integration, promoting hope and resilience at every level. As part of the team, you will contribute to an organisation committed to openness, responsiveness, and unstoppable support for those in need.
For more information, Email : [email protected]
Be Safe Online
Sometimes, relationships that begin romantically become controlling, with partners reading emails, checking texts and tracking locations.
Online abuse can happen over long periods and can escalate over time. It can include behaviours such as monitoring of social media profiles or emails, sending abusive messages online or by text, or sharing intimate photos or videos without consent.
Social media should be safe for everyone to use, but perpetrators of domestic abuse often use online tools to target their victims.
For information about staying safe online ⬇️
https://www.gmp.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/digital-domestic-abuse/