Manchester

Manchester is a city in Greater Manchester, in the north west of England (formerly in Lancashire). During the 19th century it became a major industrial centre, and the opening of the Manchester Ship Canal in 1896 transformed it into a major sea port.

LGBT history
In 1880 the police raided a drag ball in Hulme.

The Campaign for Homosexual Equality was initially based in Manchester. As well as the national headquarters, there was at one time a Manchester CHE Group, as well as a separate Manchester Teenage Group, Manchester Youth Group, and Manchester Women's Group.

Manchester Lesbian & Gay Centre existed in Bloom Street in the 1980s.

There is a thriving gay village centred around Canal Street, including a gay supermarket. It has been claimed that "The Gay Village probably represents the the biggest concentration of gay interests, services and businesses in Europe"

The book Gay Europe (1995) has listings for gay places in Manchester.

Manchester Pride has been held each August since 1991.

The Cross Street Unitarian Chapel in Manchester was the first church in the UK to be given a licence to conduct civil partnerships on its premises.

Local LGBT sports clubs include:
 * Manchester Sharks (water polo)
 * Manchester Village Spartans (rugby union)
 * Northern Rebound (squash)
 * Northern Wave Swimming Club

Manchester has its own LGBT radio station, Gaydio.

Manchester City Libraries have an online guide to local LGBT archives.

Manchester Concord is a transgender social group.

In 2005 the City Council inaugurated the Manchester LGBT Heritage Trail.

Nick Grimshaw was born in Manchester.