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 openign of the Manchester Ship Canal in 1896 transfored it into a major sea port.
LGBT history
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"[1]
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.[2]
At one time there was a Manchester CHE Group, as well as a separate Manchester Teenage Group, Manchester Youth Group, and Manchester Women's Group.
Local LGBT sports clubs include:
- Manchester Sharks (water polo)
- Manchester Village Spartans (rugby union)
- Northern Rebound (squash)
Manchester has its own LGBT radio station, Gaydio.
In 2005 the City Council inaugurated the Manchester LGBT Heritage Trail.
Nick Grimshaw was born in Manchester.
External links
http://www.flickr.com/photos/manchesterarchiveplus/sets/72157625649694641/ Archive photos for Manchester LGBT History
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?categoryID=448&documentID=520 Manchester Libraries LGBT Source Guide
