Liverpool

Liverpool is a city and seaport on the river Mersey in North-West England. It is currently a metropolitan borough within Merseyside but was previously in Lancashire.

Its population is somewhat over 400,000, but was almost double that in 1930. It owed its rise to its status as a major port, including a connection with the slave trade. At one time, 40% of the world's trade passed through its docks. It is known for its ethnic mix. Many of its inhabitants have Welsh or Irish ancestry. It has the oldest Black African community in the country and the oldest Chinese community in Europe. Notable landmarks include its two cathedrals (Anglican and Roman Catholic) and the Liver Building and other buildings on its waterfront.

Liverpool is known for its rich and diverse culture, and rose to world-wide fame during the 1960s with the popularity of the Beatles and other bands. Liverpool is internationally known for music and is recognised by Guinness World Records as the "World Capital City of Pop". Musicians from the city have produced 56 number one singles, more than any other city in the world.

LGBT history
The Bear's Paw was a well-known gay club in the 1970s.

The Stanley Street Quarter has become known as Liverpool's gay village.

Liverpool Pride has become an annual event.

Seen magazine caters for the local gay and lesbian community.

The Armistead Centre and Queer Notions provide health support for LGBT people.

Homotopia is Liverpool's annual autumn celebration of Queer culture.

Liverpool Women's Book Group meets monthly in Liverpool City Centre.

The Outsiders Film Festival is an LGBT film festival meeting monthly and in conjunction with Homotopia.

There is a Liverpool branch of Quest for gay Catholics.

LIV.FAST Network supports local FTM people.

The News from Nowhere radical bookshop has an online directory of LGBT organisaations in Liverpool and Manchester.

Notable LGBT people from Liverpool

 * April Ashley, former transsexual model, was born in Liverpool.
 * Clive Barker, author, director of fantasy films, now based in the USA, was born in Liverpool.
 * Marcus Collins, singer, was born in Liverpool.
 * Terence Davies, screenwriter, film director, novelist and actor, was born in Liverpool.
 * Brian Epstein, manager of The Beatles, was born in Liverpool.
 * Yankel Feather, painter, was born in Liverpool.
 * Jonathan Harvey, playwright, was born in Liverpool.
 * Anton Hysén, Swedish professional footballer, was born in Liverpool.
 * Holly Johnson, musician, painter, writer, was born in Liverpool.
 * William MacDonald, convicted of five murders in Australia, was born in Liverpool.
 * Ste McCabe, singer, songwriter, radio DJ, was born in Liverpool.
 * George Melly, jazz and blues singer, lecturer, critic and writer, was born in Liverpool.
 * Kele Okereke, singer and rhythm guitarist, was born in Liverpool.
 * Steve Radford,former leader of the post-1989 continuing Liberal Party, is a Liverpool city councillor.
 * Paul Rutherford, musician, singer, was born in Liverpool.
 * Stephen Twigg is MP for Liverpool West Derby.