outnorthwest issue 104

SAME MAGAZINE! NEW LOOK!

NEWS • COMMENT • HEALTH • SPORT • LISTINGS Your Magazine for Life

Published by

Ending Homophobia,

Empowering People

OUTNORTHWEST ISSUE 104 JUNE-JULY 2011

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

www.lgf.org.uk

Registered Charity No.1070904

EN LISTW NO !

HOMOPHOBIA:

A FATHER’S

STORY

WHY YOU SHOULD

GET TESTED! CORRIE’S CHARLIE CONDOU TALKS TO OUTNORTHWEST

COME TO

DADDY

PLUS! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! ONE YEAR ON

OUTNORTHWEST EDITOR’S LETTER JUNE-JULY 2011

WHY WE DO IT This issue of outnorthwest carries perhaps one of the most important interviews we’ve ever carried out.

Just over a year ago, 15 year old Dominic Crouch leapt from a six-storey building because of homophobic bullying at his school. The effect on his family has been devastating. Last month, ONW travelled to Gloucester to talk to Roger, Dominic’s father, about the impact it’s had on his family, and about the changes he’d like to see in schools to tackle the rise of homophobic bullying. You can read the interview on page 8. You can also read the full interview at our website www.lgf.org.uk. The website also hosts a video of the interview with Roger. I urge you to watch it and share it with your friends.

If, after reading Roger’s story, you would like to do something positive and help prevent tragic events like this, please consider buying an Enough Is Enough Schools Pack.

For £20, we’ll send a pack to the school of your choice (anywhere in the country) which includes lessons plans, presentations,

videos, posters, and guides. We can even include a personal message from you. We’ll also contact the school to ensure they’ve received the pack, and will follow up to ensure they are making use of it. To find out how to get a Safer Schools Pack to the school of your choice, just visit www.lgf.org.uk/schoolspack Finally, it’s with a heavy heart that we have to announce that from our next issue, the LGB&T community in Stockport will no longer be able to pick up outnorthwest in Stockport venues. Due to funding cuts in Stockport, The Lesbian & Gay Foundation has had to make the very difficult decision to withdraw direct service provision in Stockport. You can find out more on page 10 of this issue, along with some tips on how you can make your voice heard about these cuts.

We’ll be back in August with our special Manchester Pride edition. Yes, it’s that close...

LGF ONLINE

WHAT THE HELL IS A QR CODE?

SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION

Ending Homophobia,

Empowering People

www.lgf.org.uk

Registered Charity No.1070904

outnorthwest is published every two months by The Lesbian & Gay Foundation, Number 5, Richmond Street, MANCHESTER. M1 3HF. General Enquiries: 0845 3 30 30 30 E-mail: grahame.robertson@lgf.org.uk Cover Photography: Granada Television (Charlie Condou) and Pants/ianreedphotography.com

EDITORIAL TEAM EDITOR & LAYOUT Grahame Robertson LAYOUT Mark Eastwood NEWS EDITOR Joanne Dunning MEN’S HEALTH EDITOR Peter Boyle WEB EDITOR Marc Robinson LISTINGS EDITOR Mark Eastwood DISTRIBUTION Kate Hardy CONTRIBUTORS George House Trust; Gaydio; Emma Peate; Annie Emery; Andrew Gilliver; Peter Boyle; Darren Knight; Simon Kawalski; Paul Fairweather; GHT; Jack Stacey; Becky Kilburn;Colin Armstead; Adam Winter;Albert Kennedy Trust; Marc Robinson; Lucy Rolfe; Sara Ashworth.

SPECIAL THANKS Roger Crouch; Charlie Condou; Julie Hesmondhalgh; all at Coronation Street; Pants (Afflecks Palace); ianreedphotography.com; Nicksy; Patrick Ettenes; Jawad Mahboob; Stacie Cohen; Trevor Burchick and all at Pride Sports

You’ve probably seen these weird boxes in daily newspapers, posters, packaging and the like, but what exactly are they? Put simply, they’re shortcuts to websites, ADVERTISING phone numbers, text messages... you name it. If you’ve got For information on advertising in outnorthwest, one of them fancy iPhones we’ve found Red Laser is the best contact us on 0845 3 30 30 30. app to scan QR codes. It’s free in the App Store. If you’ve got Or e-mail grahame.robertson@lgf.org.uk an Android handset, download Barcode Scanner from the Marketplace. Other handsets are also capable of scanning QR codes. You’ll find these codes dotted around ONW, and TO toDIAL THIS they’ll give you loads more info and background related NUMBER NOW the articles in this issue. Give it a go! Amazing/scary...

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IF YOU DO ONE THING THIS WEEK BUY A SCHOOLS PACK FOR YOUR OLD SCHOOL!

Every child has the right to feel safe at school, and in life. If after reading the tragic story of Dominic Crouch on page 8 you feel the need to do something to help make schools safer, you can. For a small donation of only £20, the LGF’s Enough Is Enough campaign will send a ‘Safer Schools Pack’ to your old school on your behalf. You can even send a personal message with the pack. To find out more, visit www.lgf.org.uk/enough today.

f.org.u www.lg

INSIDE OUT REGULARS

26

08

06 ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! A look back on the first year of Enough Is Enough and how we’re marching into the Summer!

CORRIE’S CHARLIE CONDOU

A FATHER’S STORY

08 NEWS & OPINION The devastating effect of homophobia on one family. Plus news on the Stockport funding cuts, and Flying The Flag.

16 VILLAGE PEOPLE The recent Bank Holiday weekends saw the Village come alive with fab events.

18 UP YOUR WAY What’s going on in your region.

38 LISTINGS Every LGB&T service in the north west.

FEATURES

26 CHARLIE CONDOU We talk to Coronation Street’s Charlie Condou about being a gay dad on AND off screen!

WELLBEING

20 GEORGE HOUSE TRUST The latest developments from GHT. 22 & 24 WOMEN’S HEALTH Have you had your Screen Test? Also, details of this year’s ground-breaking events programme!.

30 & 36 GAY MEN’S HEALTH The importance of getting tested; a look at the role of fear in campaigns; and

15

FLYING THE FLAG!

32 DRUGS & ALCOHOL Is your drinking a problem?

34 STRESS! School...Uni... Exams... is this becoming a Summer Of Stress?.

44 SPORT & FITNESS All the latest news and events from Pride Sports. Plus! Anton Hysen supports Liverpool Pride; and how you can run the London Marathon for LGF!

obia moph st Ho again N IO gh ACT k/enou

06

ONE YEAR OF ENOUGH IS Homophobia ENOUGH! st in a g a N IO T C A

www.lgf.org.uk/enough

DISCLAIMER Publication of the name or photo of any person in this magazine should not be taken as any indication of the sexual orientation or HIV status of that person. All views expressed in outnorthwest are not necessarily those of the Editor or The Lesbian & Gay Foundation. outnorthwest recognises all copyrights. Where possible, we have acknowledged the copyright holder. Contact us if we have failed to credit your copyright and we will happily correct any oversight.

22

WOMEN’S EVENTS

Homophobia ACTION against

www.lgf.org.uk/enough

TAKING ACTION HOW YOU ARE TAKING ACTION AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA

GET

MARCHING! The Summer is on its way and the LGF’s Enough is Enough! Action Against Homophobia campaign will be pulling on our marching boots, picking up our placards and heading to Pride festivals all over the North West in the coming months – and we want you to come along too!

Whether you want to march in a Pride parade, or volunteer to sign people up to the Enough is Enough! campaign to take positive action against homophobia, and spread the word about the LGF’s Rights Guide and Safer Schools Packs – then we want to hear from YOU!

Where we’re heading • • • • • • •

Lead your own Enough is Enough! Pride parade entry

Blackpool Pride June 11/12th Manchester Day Parade Sunday June 19th Beech Road Festival Sunday July 3rd Oldham Pride Saturday July 30th Liverpool Pride Saturday August 6th Manchester Pride Big Weekend August 26th–29th Cumbria Pride Saturday October 1st

If you do fancy pulling on the new look Enough is Enough! t-shirt and marching with us at one of the Prides we are heading to email enough@lgf.org.uk.

If you can’t make it to these events, why not lead your own Enough is Enough! entry at your local Pride? Or, if you fancy making a weekend of it - the Pride of your choice?

Funding cuts mean that we won’t make it to Pride events in London, Brighton, Ireland, Scotland and the other areas outside the North West like we did last year. But you can still spread the Enough is Enough! message in those areas by leading your own entry. Contact enough@lgf.org.uk for t-shirts, resources and more information about leading your own entry.

www.lgf.org.uk/enough Have you checked out our hard-hitting Enough Is Enough campaign video? It stars Corrie’s Antony Cotton, and megastar Sir Ian McKellen...

SCAN TO WATCH THE

VIDEO NOW

LIKE US!

Search for ‘Enough Is Enough! Action Against Homophobia’ on Facebook.

TWEET US!

Follow us and get involved in the conversation on Twitter, @lgfoundation

OPINION PAUL FAIRWEATHER

...on happiness.

SAFER SCHOOLS PACKS Support for the Enough is Enough! Safer Schools Packs is growing and growing.

Since launching on LGB&T History Month this February a whopping 340 Safer Schools Packs have gone out to UK schools, helping them to challenge homophobic bullying.

Reddish Vale Technology College are one of many schools that have really got on board with the project, not only have they donated to a pack, support and guidance for teachers has been distributed to all members of staff via the school bulletin, and they flew the rainbow flag on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (May 17) - making a visible statement of support to the LGB&T community.

Other schools have been using the Safer Schools Packs for anti-homophobia assemblies, while the Young People’s Info Centre in Chorley have used the pack for an awareness raising campaign, getting young people working together to challenge homophobia.

If you are in any doubt about the need for this kind of work in schools, please turn over and read our moving interview with Roger Crouch, whose son Dominic tragically took his own life just over a year ago after rumours at school that he was gay. Roger talks about the impact that homophobia has had on the family’s life, and says that schools need to do more to tackle homophobic bullying. The aim of the Safer Schools Packs is to help schools challenge homophobia and make schools safer for all students.

Please donate now to help us get Safer Schools Packs into every UK school www.lgf.org.uk/schoolspack

There has been much discussion in the press recently about the idea of happiness and the role of government in promoting our wellbeing.

But a question I have been thinking about and talking to my friends about is what makes us truly happy?

The answers are not surprisingly very different. However there is clearly a link between poverty and happiness and more and more evidence that shows the more equal a society is the happier everybody is. It is societies where there are huge gaps between the very rich and everybody else where there is greater unhappiness. Even those who are relatively well off feel discontented because there is such an emphasis on having money and possessions.

We seem to becoming a more unequal society where there is less support and solidarity between people and more and more obsession with celebrity. Using our creativity; be that singing, dancing or playing sports; is often what brings joy to us. It is possible for us to organise society it such a way that there is more equality, less gaps between the very rich and the rest of us and more support for the most vulnerable in our society.

Another assumption some people have it that to be truly happy you need to be in a relationship. You rarely see or hear about the benefits of being single, non-monogamous or celibate. It’s great that we can know have civil partnerships but those of us not in relationships are not by definition doomed to permanent unhappiness. Coupledom is no guarantee of permanent joy and ecstasy. Some of the happiest people I know have relationships which do not please their mothers.

Increasingly modern technology and social networks enable us to meet

other people who share our taste and interests. The question I suppose is does this makes us feel less isolated and happier? You can have 5 million friends on Facebook but no one to water your plants when you are away. You can be sharing intimate details of your life with strangers all over the world and not see anyone in person for days. However it can also make it much easier to reach out and contact people and in particular to find those people who share your special hobby or fantasy.

When I was younger and you wanted to meet someone with a particular interest, be it bondage or bell ringing, all you could do was put an advert in Gay News and wait for a few weeks see what would happen. Often nothing at all because Gay News was hard to get hold of and being gay was much more hidden then.

Today there are a myriad of ways for us to connect with each other. If you are heterosexual and want to experiment you can. If for you the height of sexual pleasure is being pelted with rotten tomatoes you need only log onto peltmewithrottentomoatoes.co.uk to find hundreds of people with the same interests and videos and support groups and chat rooms . And if by any chance you don’t find that you can always start your own.

It is too easy sometimes for us to attack each other rather than those who are actually against us. It is too easy to dismiss those whose lifestyles and desires are very different from our own.

There is no blueprint to being LGBT. We each find our own way and it will change as the years go by. So let us celebrate the diversity and perversity of our communities and cherish what will make us happy.

Paul Fairweather www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 07

AGENDA A FATHER’S STORY IN DEPTH NEWS, COMMENT AND ANALYSIS

JUNE-JULY 2011 “Even if Dominic were gay, it should have been his choice when to come out...”

Roger Crouch

THE DEVASTATING IMPACT OF HOMOPHOBIC BULLYING What was Dominic like?

He was a typical 15 year old lad. He was into Rugby Union, he played for school and for a club. He liked play station and computer games. He was addicted to The Simpson’s and Futurama. He was a care free and happy boy when the bullying took place.

Do you think Dominic had been bullied for a while?

I think Dominic might have had a bit of bullying and taunting in the past, mostly because he had a specific learning difficulty, a type of dyslexia. What Dominic said in his note about people sending the image and messages around. I think that triggered it all.

What would you say to other young people who are experiencing some of the things that Dominic went through?

You should talk to someone about it; an adult, a friend, raise it in the school and report it.

On Friday May 16th 2010, fifteen year old Dominic Crouch left his home in Gloucestershire for a weekend away with his year group studying GCSE art.

Dominic returned home buzzing.

On the Tuesday morning Dominic left for school as usual, perfectly happy. At 3 o’clock in the afternoon his parents Roger and Paola received a phone call from Accident & Emergency saying Dominic was very, very poorly.

For months after Dominic’s death his family were shattered by their loss and found themselves searching for answers until they found out about the events that triggered Dominic taking his own life.

Dominic had jumped off the roof of a sixstorey building not far from school, leaving a scribbled note saying “People are making up shit about me that ain’t true”.

outnorthwest talks to Dominic’s dad Roger about the impact that homophobic bullying has had on his family and why schools need to do more to challenge it.

Over the course of the weekend away, the students had been messing around playing spin the bottle and Dominic was dared to kiss another boy and he did.

It was captured on mobile phone cameras and the image and messages about it were circulated when Dominic got back to school on the Tuesday.

A trivial incident with unbelievably tragic consequences.

08 OUTNORTHWEST Support the work of the LGF. Donate online today at www.lgf.org.uk

What would you say to the bullies?

Think about the consequences, what might seem like a joke could have consequences that you never imagined. I don’t think that the youngsters who sent those messages and images around imagined for one minute that Dominic would have walked out of school, gone missing for two hours and then run off a six-storey building. I think if they’d seen him after he’d done that, they wouldn’t have done it.

A lot of people think that homophobia is something that only happens to gay people, how has it impacted on your family?

If Dominic hadn’t been the subject of rumours that he was gay, it’s highly unlikely that he would have taken his own life.

Since it became public there’s been a second impact, whilst we’ve had a huge amount of very supportive comments from people from all communities, particularly the LGBT community, there’s also been some really nasty homophobic stuff posted on websites

AGENDA JUNE-JULY 2011 CONTACT US: outnorthwest, The Lesbian & Gay Foundation, Number 5, Richmond Street, Manchester M1 3HF EMAIL: joanne.dunning@lgf.org.uk TWITTER: @lgfoundation CALL: 0845 3 30 30 30

VIDEO INTERVIEW

WATCH THE VIDEO Dominic was just a typical 15 year old lad...

Roger very kindly allowed us to record our interview with him. You can watch it now at www.lgf.org.uk. Please share this video with your friends and spread the word.

You can watch our video interview with Roger Crouch right now on your smartphone.

Just scan the code on the left and the video FOR MORE TO DIAL THIS will begin.

INFORMATION NUMBER NOW

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“When you lose a child, you have to accept that your life is altered forever... the things you hoped for... aren’t going to happen.” Roger Crouch and news threads, which has been incredibly upsetting. It’s pretty heart rendering nearly a year on to see bigots gloating over the death of a 15 year old boy.

How important do you think it is that there are anti-homophobia and antibullying projects going into schools and that talking about LGB&T issues is embedded into a school’s way of life?

It’s absolutely vital because most bullying these days, and I speak from my experiences as a former Director of Children’s Services as well as a parent, is based on taunting, mocking, sending messages, circulating rumours.

We all know that young people use the word gay in a very casual, derogatory way. It is really important that they understand that

spreading those kind of rumours whether people are gay or not, is inappropriate.

Even if Dominic were gay it should have been his choice when to come out publicly about it.

I think there are lessons for all schools about being really proactive in promoting positive cultures and zero tolerance to bullying whatever form it takes, whether it be difference or perceived difference that is being picked on. It’s the kind of area where schools have got the furthest to go...Antibullying isn’t just about stopping bullying it is about promoting a positive culture.

How do you move forward?

What is really hard is that there’s a kind of constant absence in this family, there’s

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someone missing and everyday to some extent you feel that. When you lose a child you have to accept that your life is altered forever. The things you hoped for, the things you wanted aren’t going to happen.

What I find helpful is to draw on my personal and professional experience to say that some services and support need to be improved, and they are the things that we ought to do and lessons that we ought to learn, not just from Dominic’s death but from the death of any young person who has NUMBER NOW taken their own life because they’ve been bullied or felt they’ve been bullied.

INFORMATION

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And if there’s anything I can do about that, then it’s a way of bringing some meaning to what happened.

TO WATCH THE

VIDEO NOW Watch Roger’s video and read the full interview at: www.lgf.org.uk Survivors of Bereavement

by Suicide www.uk-sobs.org.uk www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 09

AGENDA JUNE-JULY 2011

WHERE NOW FOR

STOCKPORT? IS STOCKPORT DISINVESTING IN SERVICES FOR LESBIAN, GAY & BISEXUAL PEOPLE?

Ending Homophobia,

Empowering People

www.lgf.org.uk

Registered Charity No.1070904

As some of you may be aware NHS Stockport have decided to stop their funding to The Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF), directly affecting services to lesbian, gay and bisexual people who live and work in Stockport.

The LGF received a letter from NHS Stockport in November 2010, stating that our sexual health funding was being cut by 100%. We have been in contact with NHS Stockport to appeal this decision, (along with George House Trust who have also experienced 100% cuts), but have been unsuccessful in our appeal.

Richard Popplewell, Managing Director of NHS Stockport said: “The LGB community in Stockport can, along with all of our residents, access NHS Stockport’s comprehensive and

high quality sexual health services. All of the services provided by the LGF in Stockport are also run by NHS Stockport and are available locally to everyone. We provide the full range of sexual health screening and treatments through the local Contraceptive and Adult Sexual Health Services in a range of clinics around the borough. In addition, NHS Stockport gives out free condoms through its Contraceptive and Sexual Health clinics at The Choices Centre in central Stockport and the Woodley, Hazel Grove, North Reddish and Adswood clinics.”

What now for LGF’s services for Stockport residents?

The LGF’s funding from NHS Stockport ran out on 19 May 2011. Therefore we will very sadly no longer be able to provide services such as condom and lube distribution and resources direct to LGB people in Stockport.

10 OUTNORTHWEST Support the work of the LGF. Donate online today at www.lgf.org.uk

Residents will still be able to access our range of services, including face-to-face counselling, groups, advice surgeries and pop-in advice that are available from the LGF’s Community Resource Centre in central Manchester. They will also be able to access information and support through our helpline (0845 3 30 30 30).

“It is not in our DNA to stop services to those residents who wish to receive support and information” says LGF’s Director of Programmes and Performance, Rob Cookson. “People can still access our services, but unfortunately we are no longer able to provide them in Stockport directly.”

“Along with direct condom and lube provision in Stockport venues, we will also no longer be able to attend local events or distribute resources such as outnorthwest, sexual health and well-being information in the area.”

JUNE-JULY 2011

“People can still access our services, but unfortunately, we are no longer able to provide them in Stockport directly.”

Rob Cookson The Lesbian & Gay Foundation

“LGF has built up a reputation of being able to distribute information right in the heart of local communities. While this will no longer be possible in Stockport, any lesbian, gay or bisexual person from Stockport will continue to be able to access our services at our Community Resource Centre, even though Stockport no longer make any contribution to these services.”

Historically, the LGF has received a patchwork of co-ordinated funding from the ten Primary Care Trust’s (PCT) across Greater Manchester.

This has the distinct advantage of enabling the LGF to provide resources and information (including condoms and lube), in the places where people need them most. In the past, this has included both local areas, as well as within Manchester’s Gay Village, where many LGB people travel to access venues and services. However, this now creates a difficult challenge for the LGF when one PCT removes its funding in this way.

Rob notes that “Traditionally, Stockport NHS have provided a contribution to funding LGF’s work because the charity is able to deliver services to Stockport residents in both the local area and in every other area of Greater Manchester that they might access. This recognises that LGB people are not just geographically located in one place, but access services across a much wider area. Due to Stockport NHS’ decision to make a 100% funding-cut, it is no longer possible for us to deliver specific services in Stockport and we have been deeply saddened by this.”

Duplication of Services?

We understand the difficult decisions that have to be made when funding decisions

require PCTs to re-evaluate their expenditure.

However, we feel strongly that the relatively small amount of funding that has been given to support Stockport’s LGB community, makes a huge difference to the quality of life for local LGB people.

Our concern is that Stockport NHS have pulled one of the few, dedicated streams of funding they provide that is specifically for local LGB residents.

This is despite some of the very real health inequalities that LGB people face, not only in terms of their sexual health, but also in other areas of their lives such as mental health and wellbeing.

One of the reasons given for the 100% funding-cut, is that NHS Stockport considers there to be a duplication of service provision.

They argue that there are already services within Stockport that are delivering a similar service, although these are generic. One of the issues that the LGF have repeatedly found when they have conducted services is that LGB residents prefer LGB specific services to be delivered by LGB people and organisations.

A range of our partners across Stockport are raising concerns that they don’t now know who they can talk to about raising LGB issues in Stockport. This will affect their ability to provide direct support, affecting referrals to relevant support and information services.

The impact of this funding decision could be far reaching, with these services no longer feeling able to signpost people to the LGF. This could lead to inequality of access and outcomes for LGB people in Stockport.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? If you want to make your voice heard about this cut in services and the support you can access, we would very much welcome your support.

If you live in Stockport, you can: • Write to your MP or visit them during their constituency surgery hours and ask them to offer their support to help challenge NHS Stockport’s decision, and raise the profile of this issue. If you would like a template letter, email: andrew.gilliver@lgf.org.uk • Write to us at the LGF and tell us what the impact of this cut will be on you.

• Write to Richard Popplewell at NHS Stockport and tell them the impact that this cut will have on you. Please contact us for address details.

If you don’t live in Stockport, you can still get involved. You can write to, or visit, your own MP or Councillor and raise this as an issue so that they are aware of what could happen to affect LGB people in their area.

It is with deep regret that, due to NHS Stockport’s decision, LGB people in Stockport who rely on us delivering our services, will no longer be able to access these where they live.

Unfortunately, this means that this will be the last issue of ONW to be distributed in Stockport , until such time, that we can re-access funding.

We would like to thank all of our supporters in Stockport (and beyond) and we would like to assure you that we will continue to report on LGB life that is relevant to you. www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 11

AGENDA JUNE-JULY 2011 PROTECT THE ACT

LOCAL ELECTIONS

THE RED TAPE CHALLENGE

One of the first areas to be examined as part of a new website to encourage the public to tell the Government where to cut red tape includes the Equality Act 2010 which brings together more than forty years of equality legislation and aims to make Britain a more equal society.

The groups under the protection of the Act (known as ‘protected characteristics’) are: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation.

A Government spokesperson explained the reasoning behind the website questions: “People should not draw any conclusions about the the Equality Act’s presence on the website. The important thing is to let us have your views.”We want to know whether people think the Equality Act is well designed and provides vital protections, or if they think it is badly designed, badly implemented or simply a bad idea.”

Paul Martin, Chief Executive of The Lesbian & Gay Foundation said:” We are urging everyone to go on to the website and leave your own comments about why the Equality Act is important, and please encourage your staff, supporters, friends, colleagues and any networks you have access to respond too.”

Have your say on The Equality Act: www.redtapechallenge. cabinetoffice.gov.uk/equalities/

LGBT SUCCESS AT

THE POLLS

In the May 2011 local elections many LGB&T candidates stood for election in the North West.

Kevin Peel, Co-Chair of LGBT Labour North West and newly elected councillor for Manchester City Centre commented, “It’s great to see so many LGB&T candidates standing for public office. I’m particularly proud to see so many new gay and lesbian councillors taking seats on Manchester City Council, increasing LGB&T representation to over 10% of the council, a fantastic achievement.

We’ve got a lot more to do to increase LGB&T representation in politics and all areas of public life, but we’re making progress.”

Jen Yockney, who sits on the national executive of LGB&T Liberal Democrats said, “When I first got involved in politics, the out candidates were only in the Lib Dem and Labour parties, today almost all sections of the political spectrum have out LGB&T people which is brilliant: we need defenders in all parties, so that whomever is in power at the Town Hall, Westminster or Brussels, the voice of our communities is still heard.”

Matthew Sephton, Chairman of LGBTory added, “I’m very pleased that there were record numbers of openly-LGB&T Conservative candidates standing in the various elections this year. In the House of Commons, the Conservatives continue to have the biggest number of openly-gay Members of Parliament.

12 OUTNORTHWEST Support the work of the LGF. Donate online today at www.lgf.org.uk

It can only be a good thing for our democracy to have such active role models out there.”

The Lesbian & Gay Foundation actively encourage LGB&T people to get involved in politics and public life, it is inspiring to see so many LGB&T candidates making sure that all communities are represented in local government and beyond.

THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE SPEAKS OUT! Rt Hon John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons recently spoke about LGB&T people in Parliament and how they help the LGB&T community.

“The biggest, single challenge is to change attitudes, beyond even what has been achieved to date. It is about personal decency, not treating people as special or better, but just as equals” He also mentioned the importance of all parties coming together and accepting LGB&T communities. “I think it is in the interest of the community that it should not have issues owned or dominated by one party.” www.lgf.org.uk/speaker-of-thehouse-celebrates-lgb-t-voluntary-andcommunity-sector/

JUNE-JULY 2011 date information. If you need access to information, data and statistics; contact The Lesbian & Gay Foundation or read the policy briefings provided at: www.lgf.org.uk

Know the law and policy framework Has an equality impact assessment been undertaken? Have you checked where else funding is allocated against LGB&T activities locally? (use the Freedom of Information Act ). Has a consultation exercise been undertaken in line with the ‘Compact’? Have you got a contract or service level agreement that has been broken? Your local CVS or development and support organisation can support you in using these.

Know why the decision was reached

CHALLENGING

THE CUTS! The LGB&T sector has always ‘punched above its weight’, with relatively small groups and organisations having a significant impact at a local, regional and national level.

Know your impact

However, in a rapidly changing environment, groups and organisations need to be aware of that fact that decisions are being made that will impact the communities we were established to support. More importantly, groups and organisations need to be prepared to work with the people making the decisions in order to ensure minimum impact of LGB&T individuals and communities. The National LGB&T Partnership have produced a guide of ten top tips on challenging cuts for LGB&T groups and organisations. Don’t wait for the cuts be proactive!

Know your people

Know the risk If you’re not demonstrating your worth, you’re liable to cuts. Don’t rest on the fact that you’re the only group or organisation doing what you do; be prepared to demonstrate and provide examples of the difference you make.

What will be the impact of losing the information, support or services that you provide? Who will pick that up if your service is cut? Are mainstream services geared up to deliver what you do? How many of them mention your group, organisation or LGB&T people in their strategic plan?

Know the people who access your services, why they access services and collect information about them. Use demographic information and get contact details. Having information about who accesses your services will support you when challenging decisions.

Know your worth Pulling together facts around the costs of counselling a trans individual, the treatment costs of a person living with HIV or the benefits of lesbians having cervical screens all have monetary cost benefits that can be simply demonstrated– use this information to challenge decisions.

Know your facts Be aware of what’s going on. Get on organisational distribution lists and know where to find the most up to

Get in touch with the people that are making the decisions that directly affect your group or organisation; ask for a copy of the minutes and notes from the meeting where the decision was made and the papers and supporting information that enabled the specific group, board or executive lead to make that choice.

Know your allies Whether it be a commissioner, a funder, an organisation that you’ve worked with, a civil servant, local councillor or MP: get their feedback and support through letting them know what you’re doing.

Know what you are there to do Be clear about what it is you set out to do (your goals and mission) and keep working towards it. Work with the changes and make them support and strengthen your agenda.

Know your goals and ensure that your stakeholders know them too.

Know when to say enough is enough The decision to challenge funding cuts, what to tackle and when to confront it can depend on an organisation’s capacity and resources; and many other external factors. Challenging certain cuts may take your focus away from other more pressing and urgent issues.

For more information, please visit our website: www.lgf.org.uk or give us a call on 0845 3 30 30 30.

SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION

www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 13

AGENDA JUNE-JULY 2011 IN BRIEF

FAITH & SPIRITUALITY

LIVERPOOL PRIDE Liverpool Pride will take place on Saturday, 6th August in Liverpool City Centre. The city will transform into a massive party venue with a celebration taking place around Liverpool’s gay quarter.

Following a march around the city centre, the Dale Street area will be closed off all day for the glittering Pride street party including stages, live entertainment, market and refreshment stalls. A large number of venues are holding Pride events at night and the event will remain FREE so that everybody who can and wants to take part can do so. Tommy McIlravey, Chair of Liverpool Pride said: “Last year’s event was fantastic and we couldn’t have done it without the people of Merseyside who turned up to show support and have a fab day.

We are now one of the biggest free Pride festivals in Europe.” The date chosen by the community will mark the third anniversary of the death of Michael Causer, a young gay man who was murdered in 2008. His death brought together the community and Liverpool City Council, leading to the revival of the festival. www.liverpoolpride.co.uk

LGF WELLBEING CONFERENCE On Friday 10th June, The Lesbian & Gay Foundation will be holding our first Wellbeing Conference in Manchester.

The event will bring together commissioners, service providers and front line staff who have an interest in the mental health and wellbeing of the lesbian, gay and bisexual community.

The day will include talks, presentations and workshops focussed on improving access to services and sharing good practice.

The event is free, but places are limited. To book please contact Lucy Rolfe at lucy.rolfe@lgf.org.uk or call us on 0845 3 30 30 30.

KEEPING

THE FAITH Stacie Cohen attended an LGBT Interfaith event last year organised by Liverpool’s Spectrum of Spirituality and it started her thinking ‘why can’t there be something like this in Manchester’?

“This idea led to meeting with The Lesbian & Gay Foundation around an informal event which would start to open up discussion around having a faith and being gay and hopefully attract people who are struggling with bringing together both these aspects of their life.” says Stacie.

“The kind of issues to be faced and the journey you have to go on to reconcile your faith with your sexuality is a common thread. Being able to share the experience helps you to come to

terms with who you are and to feel accepted by other people who are like-minded.”

This has now resulted in holding an initial event to raise awareness of ‘Faithbook’ a new resource guide from LGF to celebrate faith and sexual orientation for LGB&T people and ‘launch’ the idea of a social /support group for people to discuss their faiths and the common issue of dealing with being both gay and having a faith .

The Keeping The Faith event is to be held at Cross Street Chapel, Cross Street, Manchester M2 1NL on Sunday 19th June at 2pm. For more information e-mail: info@lgf.org.uk Faithbook is out now: www.lgf.org.uk/faithbook/

LIVING IT OUT A survival guide for lesbian,gay and bisexual Christians and their friends, families and churches. Authors Rachel and Sarah Hagger Holt will be speaking about their new book at on Sunday 19th June 2011 at 4pm at St Bride’s Liverpool (Percy Street L8 7LT). The afternoon will include a talk by Rachel and Sarah, Q&A, bookstall and refreshments. To be followed by the Open Table Eucharist. All welcome!

14 OUTNORTHWEST Support the work of the LGF. Donate online today at www.lgf.org.uk

AGENDA JUNE-JULY 2011 Cheshire Police HQ

IN BRIEF

FLYING THE FLAG

CORRIE STAR SHOUTS OUTLOUD!

Bolton Victim Support

FLYING THE

FLAG 2011 17th May 2011 saw more rainbow flags flying across the North West than ever before with over 200 rainbow flags flying, 500 posters distributed and 6,000 information resources sent out across the region and beyond.

Bolton Council displaying a public exhibition around homophobia, Reddish Vale Technology College delivering lessons aimed at educating, informing and challenging homophobia and transphobia and corporate partners including Barclays Bank and Co-operative Financial Services raising awareness of the day to their staff and customers by flying the flag and distributing resources.

This was the third year that The Lesbian & Gay Foundation worked with partners to visibly raise awareness of International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). Our partner organisations showed their support by flying the flag and delivering creative events to ensure that the message was spread as far as possible. With rainbow email footers being used by Salford Royal Hospital Trust,

Check out our online gallery at http://bit.ly/flyflag2011 If you want to ensure that you’re involved next year, contact: bulletin@lgf.org.uk to ensure that you receive our weekly bulletin and we can keep you informed of our activities throughout the year.

VILLAGE CENSUS 2011 LGF volunteers will be out and about in Manchester’s Village in June encouraging people to fill out the Village Census. We’ll be collecting anonymous information on people using the Village at different times, building up a picture of life in the Village. This data will be used to support our existing services and ensure that we keep on providing for LGB people in Greater Manchester. So if you see us about, make sure you’ve filled out a census form and have been counted! If you would like more information, or want to volunteer with us carrying out the Village Census, please get in touch with Heather at heather.williams@lgf.org.uk or call 0845 3 30 30 30.

Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh paid students at Parrswood High School, Manchester a visit to help showcase the work of the Exceeding Expectations AntiHomophobic Bullying project on May 16th, before it set off on a two week tour of Manchester schools.

The event was opened by Parrswood Head Teacher Andy Shakos, and attended by over 150 of the school’s pupils. Julie introduced and watched the Exceeding Expectations play - OUTLOUD - with the pupils.The award winning project is delivered by Manchester City Council, Healthy Schools Manchester, Hope Theatre Company, and The Lesbian & Gay Foundation. For the last four years it has been challenging the issue of homophobic bullying through education. www.exceedingexpections.org.uk

ADVICE & SUPPORT LGB&T Legal Advice Surgery The LGB&T Legal Advice Surgery in partnership with legal firms O’Neill Patient LLP and Mckeown Harkinson takes place on the second and the fourth Tuesday of the month from 6pm until 8pm at the LGF’s. No appointment necessary LGB&T Police Surgery The police advice surgery takes place every Thursday, between 6pm and 8pm at The LGF. No appointment is necessary.

Both surgeries take place at LGF,Number 5, Richmond Street, Manchester M1 3HF Call 0845 3 30 30 3 for more info. www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 15

VILLAGE PEOPLE LOCAL BUSINESSES, CHARITIES AND THE COMMUNITY WORKING TOGETHER!

BEACON OF HOPE Its been a busy couple of months in Manchester’s famous Lesbian and Gay Village!

Last issue we printed pictures of volunteers from the LGF, The Friends of Sackville Gardens and the Village Business Association cleaning the UK’s only HIV memorial ‘The Beacon of Hope’ after it was looking a little bit worse for wear and needed a good scrub! Well we’re pleased to tell you that the Friends of Sackville Gardens were successful in obtaining a grant from Manchester City Council’s Cash Grant Scheme to give the Beacon of Hope a complete makeover!

This means it will soon be restored to its original state, just as it was at its launch in 2001. It will be having the foundations re-alligned, the plinth re-set and stonewashed, the tiles replaced, the light repaired and re-fitted, new LED lights around the canal side sign to make sure Canal Street can see the name of the monument, and most of all a brand-new repaired timeline to chart the history of HIV/AIDS in the UK and the milestones that have been and gone.

Make sure you keep your eyes peeled, as the work is due to start soon on the Beacon and it will be back to its former glory just in time for it’s 10th anniversary World AIDS Day 1st December 2011.

HOORAY! IT’S A

HOLIDAY We have of course seen two big Bank Holiday’s over recent weeks, with Easter, the Royal Wedding and the May Bank Holiday, and of course the Village is always the first to join in the festivities for these events.

Easter Sunday saw members of the Village Business Association (VBA) and and volunteers form the LGF and The Friends of Sackville Gardens hold an Easter Bonnet Parade Pride fundraiser throughout the Village, with members of staff from Taurus, Via, New York New York, Eagle and Churchills enter and show off their finest bonnets! The winner was chosen by the crowd who came to watch in Sackville Gardens where there was a bar and barbecue for everyone’s entertainment.

The event was a huge success raising £650 which will go directly into the Manchester Pride Charity Pot which is distributed at the end of Manchester Pride each year, and of

16 OUTNORTHWEST Support the work of the LGF. Donate online today at www.lgf.org.uk

course the LGF’s Enough is Enough! Action Against Homophobia campaign out and about with information and resources to give to the crowds of people out on such a sunny day.

The following weekend saw Will’s and Kate get hitched at Westminster Abby and also saw Big Fat Gypsy weddings and street party’s in the Village! The Union Jack bunting really made the place look very festive and everyone enjoyed their big day with them. All in all two fabulous weekends in the Village!

FUNDRAISING

THANK YOU FURRY MUCH! SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION

June 18th sees the first birthday of Gaydio, having launched full time last summer, and what a year it has been for the station.

The Great British Bear Bash raises loads of money for LGF! While the marriage of Wills and Kate was in full swing, the Village was also invaded by hairy men (and their cubby admirers) from all over the world for The Great British Bear Bash!

The LGF as usual made sure the Bears felt welcome (but most of all safe!) with their specially produced Bear Bash Condom Packs (see above) and the Enough Is Enough! Action Against Homophobia volunteers were out in full force in Sackville Gardens for the Hog Roast, Cup Cakes and lost of other fun stalls on the Saturday. Huge thanks goes to Tom, John, and all the Manbears for raising £2000 another fantastic amount for the LGF! We salute you all! www.manbears.co.uk

So far they have broadcast almost 9000 hours of radio, listened to by over 100,000 people. They’ve also broadcast more LGB&T voices than any other station in the North West. ONW caught up with afternoon presenter Nicksy to find out his highlights: Pride Coverage Last year we broadcast live from three pride festivals in the North West, Liverpool, Oldham and Manchester.

A highlight was hearing Chris Holliday and Emma from Breakfast backstage on the Monday of Manchester Pride, with a voiceless Chris flirting outrageously with Mario from last year’s Big Brother. Darren took his Saturday afternoon show along the M62 to Liverpool Pride, which was also fun.

Chris doing Ladyboys It doesn’t take much to persuade Chris to wear a dress. So when the chance to become ‘Lady Gaga’ with the Ladyboys of Bangkok came up as part of his weekly challenge on the breakfast show, he grasped it with both hands, and then tucked it between his legs! He looked terrified, but fortunately there was a film crew with him to capture the look on his face.

Coverage of the HIV Vigil As part of the Pride festival, Gaydio teamed up with BBC Radio Manchester to broadcast the Candlelit Vigil live. We followed this with a talk show covering many subjects, safe sex being one of them.

Winning the Pink Paper award OK it’s time for me to blow my own trumpet! As well as bringing my talk show Late Night Nicksy back to the air…the biggest achievement for me was winning the Pink Paper award for Best Radio Show. When I found out the shortlist contained huge broadcasting talents

Chris Moyles, Scott Mills, and Chris Evans, I thought ‘No chance’, BUT due to the loyalty of the lovely Gaydio listeners, we managed to do it! So this my chance to say THANK YOU! Outside Broadcasts ‘The Exchange’ pulled a crafty little number by blagging a trip to T5 at Heathrow. I do wonder what those poor business travellers thought about that lot turning up! I didn’t get to go to T5 but I did get to do a show from the most iconic aircraft of the last 50 years! I was in my element hosting the show from on board Concorde at Manchester Airport and I was VERY excited!!

We also reflected the Royal Wedding, by doing the daytime programming from the Canal Street Party. The street was buzzing with talk of... Princess Catherine’s fit brother!!

International women’s day coverage We have some great female talent on the station. So they took us boys off the air to mark International Womens Day. Even the news, which comes from SKY, was read by female Journalists.

Rowetta I have to mention ‘Mrs Showbiz” Rowetta, who has been a good friend over the time I have known her. You can catch her and Nick every Saturday at 4pm. Celebs are a big part of the show, and my favourite had to be Tim Healy who you may know as the beautiful Lesley in Benidorm!

So what’s coming up this year?

“This year you can find us at many of the UK Prides, but personally I am looking forward to hosting on the main stage at Manchester Pride for the first time! In the first week in June, I’ll be presenting my show from Dublin and Cork! So if you haven’t yet tuned in, then give us a try, I guarantee you’ll find something you like…and we play bloody good music! “ Gaydio broadcast on 88.4fm, via the station’s iPhone app and online at www.gaydio.co.uk

SCAN THE QR CODE to download the Gaydio iPhone app!

WE ARE ONE!

www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 17

S F

IN

S T

N

S

TO

V

UP YOUR WAY

CUMBRIA PRIDE

“Cumbra Pride will be a family event full of music and entertainment for people of all ages.”

CUMBRIA

PiNC and Outreach Cumbria

SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION

Carlisle is hosting Cumbria’s first big Pride event on the 1st October 2011. Cumbria Pride will be a family event full of music and entertainment for people of all ages.

There are a number of great community and fundraising events planned in the run up to the festival including: Let them eat cake Thursday 2nd June Crown and Mitre Hotel A night of fabulous fun and laughter to raise money towards the Cumbria Pride on 1st October! The night begins at 7pm with a champagne entrance and canapes served by our topless butlers! The Night is sponsored

by Baby Cakes with a selection of personally

made cakes just for this night. There will also be live bands, a raffle, silent auction, kissing booth and much, much more! Tickets are £15 available from Creme BruLay @ Outrageous Cabaret Bar, Pam Eland of Pinc, and Drew Brown of Basque.

Race night at the Currock 30th July Come along and have a bet on the gee gees, hosted by Creme BruLay. The night also includes a raffle. To find out more contact Pam on 07971253241.

More events are being arranged for June, July, August and September.

To find out more join the Facebook page ‘Cumbria Pride 2011’ or to get involved email info@cumbriapride.com or for more information contact Pam on 07971253241 or email pam.eland@cumbriapride.com.

18 OUTNORTHWEST Support the work of the LGF. Donate online today at www.lgf.org.uk

PiNC (Pride in North Cumbria), is a group for young (14-25) LGBT and questioning people. It is based in Carlisle and is open to young people from across North SCAN TO DIAL THIS NUMBER NOW Cumbria.

This Easter PiNC relocated to an exciting new space close to the city centre and transport links in Carlisle, the space is shared with the LGBT project, OutREACH Cumbria.

One immediate benefit is the opportunity to host small meetings in the new space, and to hold 1 to1 sessions with clients.

PiNC is developing work it can do with schools in Cumbria, we will be working with Connexions, Children’s Services and other stakeholder partners to influence and raise awareness of homophobic bullying and to work on resources to assist schools to NUMBER NOW include sexual orientation in their curriculum.

SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION

SCAN TO DIAL THIS

You can contact PiNC on: 07901 765453 or pinc-carlisle@hotmail. co.uk or go to the website at: prideinnorthcumbria.webs.com TO WATCH THE Contact OutREACH Cumbria on: 07896 250662 or outreachc@btinternet.com

SCAN VIDEO NOW

UP YOUR WAY AROUND THE REGION Oldham

OLDHAM PRIDE

WOMEN

LESBIAN COMMUNITY PROJECT The Lesbian Community Project (49-51 Sidney Street, behind the 8th Day on Oxford Road) in Manchester has recently welcomed a brand new Board into operation who will help to bring you more groups, more events, and generally a number of changes and improvements to the services provided.

More info will be coming soon on the website www.lesbiancommunityproject. co.uk and the LCP Newsletter, due out at the end of May at LCP and village venues. Check out the website for details on the many drop-ins, events and groups for women running at LCP. We also have a Facebook group and Twitter (@LesbianCP) bringing you up-to-the-minute information and updates on what we’re doing.

Out to Lunch Lesbian Diners Club Around 40 women meet from all over the country to relax, chat and enjoy an informal Sunday lunch.

The next meetings will be 10th July, 11th September and 13th November.

Please call Paula to book a place or for more details: 0781 308 3242 paulad650@aol.com or visit website www.lesbiandiners.co.uk

The newly founded ‘Oldham LGBT Events Group’ is already hard at work planning for the now very well established Oldham PRIDE, to take place this year on Saturday July 30th. People are assembling in the town square (outside Spindles) at 11:45am for the opening ceremony and speakers. The parade will march through the town as usual and make its way down to Gallery Oldham where our opening and headline act for the day is to be the fabulous Rowetta.

Entertainment, stalls, food and drink will be waiting for us all and the event will continue until 4:30pm. The Pride after party, into the late hours will be taking place at The Brewery Tavern. For more information search Facebook for ‘Oldham Pride 2011’.

Chorlton/Gay Village

SEX AND THE CENTURY 8 pm at Chorlton Library and at other venues near the Gay Village. VADA LGBT Community Theatre Company has been gathering stories during LGBT History Month, finding the hidden history of ordinary LGBT people who often led extra-ordinary lives. Director, Stephen Hornby, says “There is a wealth of brilliant stories, really compelling, moving, hysterical and often quite unexpected, not just in Manchester but across the North West. There’s so much still to be told about the last century and VADA is going to make a brilliant start this summer with “Sex and the Century” We want more LGBT people to be involved.” To find out more, see ‘VADA LGBT Community Theatre’ on Facebook or e-mail vada.theatre@gmail.com

Out and about

GAY OUTDOOR CLUB Gay Outdoor Club have all their plans of activities throughout the UK now on line at www.goc.org.uk and Transpennine members are looking forward to a busy year with walks on every weekend and quite a few local evening ones as well. As well as walks we have cycling events and one full weekend a month hostelling or camping.

These are open to everyone. Friday 12 to 15 August will be our Annual Outdoor Gathering (AOG). It is our largest event of the year, at which members from around the country meet up for a weekend of outdoor activities and socialising. Membership fee covers our insurance, administration and publication costs only and all events are charged at purchase cost only. Feel free to try an event or join before you join. Email Transpennine@ hotmail.co.uk or visit www.goc.org.uk for more details. www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 19

Photo GMFA

Around 1 in 10 gay men going for a sexual health check-up say no to the HIV test. Why do some men skip the HIV test?

More than 9 times out of ten they’d find out they don’t have HIV. Seven out of every 100 gay and bi men who do turn down a HIV test already have HIV without knowing this.

Close to one in three gay and bi men living in Greater Manchester have never had a HIV test, so there’s a lot of local men who are avoiding checking their HIV status.

Self Delusions about Risk Why do men who’ve taken enough risks to go to a sexual health clinic turn down the HIV test? 80% said they believed they were at low risk of getting HIV, while another 10% knew their partner has HIV. Anal sex without a condom is high risk, whether you have it once, twice or many times. These men aren’t at low risk, but 93% would have found out from saying yes to a HIV test that they don’t have HIV. Fearing a positive result So why did the men turn down the HIV test at the clinic that day? Four out of five men said they were not emotionally ready to deal with a positive result, 9 out of 10 said they find HIV testing stressful and two out of five were worried about telling a boyfriend.

Just Do It Most men grit their teeth and take the HIV test, despite their stress and worries.

More than 9 times out of 10 worried men who turn down tests would get a pleasant surprise – they haven’t got HIV. So 9 out of 10 men are worrying unnecessarily. Knowing your HIV status is more empowering. You can take charge of your future, your relationships and the sex you have: ‘Knowledge Equals Power’.

Putting testing off doesn’t make HIV go away Not taking a test doesn’t mean that you are HIV-negative, it simply means that you still don’t know what your HIV status is. If you are one of the 7% who are HIV-positive but turned down a HIV test, you will have to deal with HIV eventually - probably when you become ill. If you become ill and then learn you have HIV, HIV is is harder to treat successfully.

Putting off testing doesn’t make testing

NO EXCUSES FOR SKIPPING HIV TESTS

easier next month or next year. We can all make excuses for not testing, but a test taken is a worry answered. The biggest benefit of knowing you are HIV-negative is knowing that you don’t have the virus. Sounds obvious, right? Sitting around worrying about what might be isn’t easy. It eats away at you. Worrying about the difficulties that HIV could bring is a waste of time for the 90% of men who would find out they are HIV-negative if they just took the test. Knowing for certain you don’t have HIV is a weight off your mind.

Knowing makes it easier to stay safe Knowing that you are HIV-negative helps you stay HIV-negative. Keeping yourself safe every time you have sex isn’t easy for everyone. It gets harder to stay safe and always use condoms if you aren’t sure whether or not you have HIV. Being certain that you are HIV-negative helps some men keep themselves HIV-negative.

“I always have safer sex so I didn’t bother to have regular HIV tests. I hadn’t been for a test for about five years. Like a lot of my friends, I don’t like using

condoms; I do it because I want to stay negative.

Then this doubt started to creep into my head. Since my last HIV test I could remember a few occasions where the condom broke, a night where I’d taken enough chems not to know exactly what happened, fucking a guy without a condom and telling myself it was OK ‘cos I was fucking him. I started to question why I was using condoms because I thought I was probably HIV-positive. By the time I went for the test, I was convinced I was positive. I just went to confirm that I already had HIV. Getting a negative test result gave me the kick up the backside that I needed to keep using condoms. It made me realise I could stay negative, that I was able to keep myself HIV-free.”

Testing Facts from GMFA www.gmfa.org.uk/sex/hivandaids/ hiv-testing If you have tested HIV positive George House Trust support and services will support you support@ght.org.uk 0161 274 4499

To find out more about the services offered by George House Trust, contact our services team at support@ght.org.uk or call us on 0161 274 4499.

www.ght.org.uk

20 OUTNORTHWEST Support the work of the LGF. Donate online today at www.lgf.org.uk

SCAN HERE TO VISIT THE GHT SITE

WOMEN WE NEED YOUR PICS!

SNAP HAPPY!

HOT DATES! The Lesbian & Gay Foundation’s monthly events for lesbian, bisexual women and their friends are back for 2011 – 2012. Find out what’s going on...

Moving Pictures Saturday 18th June 2011 For all you aspiring photographers who like to explore the city and practise your shots, the LGF are hosting a workshop which ticks both boxes! Led by a skilled photographer learn some professional camera tips and then head into the city centre and get snap happy! (Meeting at the LGF, 2pm-5pm).

Planting & Growing Saturday 16th July 2011 Bring out your inner gardener, find the summer spirit in you and come along to our planting and growing workshop. Here you’ll have fun getting your hands dirty, and finding the perfect plants and herbs for your window box, yard or garden. (Chorlton, venue tbc, 2pm-5pm) Our Kids Are Alright Tuesday 23rd August 2011 Discuss all things family and what it means to be lesbian, bisexual and a mum with our expert panel.

We’ll be watching the award winning film The Kids Are All Right and you’ll get the chance to check out a new community photography exhibition about ‘Family Pride’. (The LGF, 6-9pm) This is a Manchester Pride Festival Event

Bike Maintenance & Ride Saturday 17th September 2011 If you and your friends want the low down on bike maintenance come to our bike ride and maintenance session. (2pm-5pm, meeting at LGF) Pamper Day Saturday 15th October 2011 Treat yourself. Bring you and your friends down to the LGF for a luxurious pamper session. Relax with massages, explore new therapy’s, meet new people and put your feet up, is there anything better? (The LGF, 2pm-5pm) Crafternoon Saturday 19th November 2011 This event will certainly unleash your creative side. Come and join us in making everything from Christmas cards, to festive scarves, to that unique home-made Xmas gift. (LGF, 2pm-5pm)

As part of August’s Our Kids Are Alright event we want to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGB&T) families in a unique photo exhibition called Family Pride.

We want photographs of LGB&T people and your families, as well as your thoughts about what family means to you, write a sentence, a poem or record a short video! It can be snaps and stories of you and your children, partner, wife, husband, mum, dad, guardian, brothers, sisters, friends, or whoever you think of when you hear the word family.

To get involved email your photo’s and stories to women@lgf.org.uk, or post them to LGF, Number 5, Richmond Street, Manchester, M1 3HF. how? Email us and we’ll put together a session to improve your skills. (The LGF, 2–5pm)

Film & Popcorn Saturday 17th December 2011 There is another wonderful film night at the LGF. Come and settle down to a favourite lesbian/ bisexual classic. You bring your friends and we’ll bring the popcorn (The LGF, 2pm-5pm)

Sugar & Spice Saturday 10th March 2012 It’s take six of our annual International Women’s day event, last year was a huge hit with events as diverse as drumming to parenting workshops. And Sugar & Spice 2011 aims to be even bigger and better, so don’t miss out! (The LGF, 2pm – 5pm)

Let’s Get Physical Saturday 21st Jan 2012 Dance yourself into the New Year, get fit and have fun with our dance and fitness class (The LGF, 2- pm)

All events are free but places are tight, so if you’re interested or want any more information drop us an email at women@lgf.org.uk

DIY SOS Saturday 21st Jan 2012 Household chores you need to do but don’t know

The Lesbian & Gay Foundation, Number 5, Richmond Street, Manchester, M1 3HF.

22 OUTNORTHWEST Support the work of the LGF. Donate online today at www.lgf.org.uk

CERVICAL SCREENINGEENING TAKE PART & WIN!

HAVE YOUR SAY & WIN FAB GOODIES!

LESBIAN & BISEXUAL WOMEN!

WE NEED YOUR OPINIONS! Fantastic Prizes to be won for your opinions on The LGF’s current cervical screening campaign for lesbian and bisexual women.

If you identify as a lesbian or bisexual woman over the age of 16 living in the north west we would like to hear your views about The LGF’s cervical screening campaign: Are You Ready For Your Screen Test?

In partnership with the University of Salford we are running a short survey to allow women to tell us what they think about the campaign, and their

behaviour when it comes to cervical screening.

Your views are really valuable in helping to shape better services for lesbian and bisexual women, and you could win one of these fantastic prizes:

• • • •

£500 holiday voucher Spa Day for two £150 Shopping Spree Nintendo Wii

To be in with the chance of winning these great prizes fill in the survey now at

www.lgf.org.uk/screeningsurvey2

FILL IT IN NOW!

SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION

Grab your smartphone and scan the code on the right hand side to access the survey.

You could win some DIAL THIS amazing prizes! TO NUMBER NOW

SCAN

24 OUTNORTHWEST Support the work of the LGF. Donate online today at www.lgf.org.uk

Annie Emery, Programme Manager at The Lesbian & Gay Foundation “This campaign is dedicated to raising awareness that lesbian and bisexual (LB) women do need to access cervical screening, and have every right to do so. As well as providing healthcare information, we’ve made the campaign as engaging as possible through viral videos and games to reach as many women as possible.

We really want to hear from lesbian and bisexual women about what they think of the campaign, to shape future projects and services in this area. There are some fantastic prizes to be won so go on have your say.”

INTERVIEW CHARLIE CONDOU

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26 OUTNORTHWEST Support the work of the LGF. Donate online today at www.lgf.org.uk

“The only people that have challenged it have been gay friends.”

CORONATION STREET

GAY DADS ARE

STREETS AHEAD

Photo: Granada, Coronation Street

Here at ONW we’re proud of the Weatherfield rainbow collective and Corrie wouldn’t be our favourite soap without its cross dressing wine merchant’s, knickerstitching bar-men, perma-anoraked transgender salt-of-the-Earths, loved-up lesbians, former Mr Gay UK’s, and more big wigs and dangly earrings than a Wednesday night on Canal Street.

To add to all the high camp, one of the year’s big stories really touches a chord with what’s going on in real gay lives at the moment. It’s the return of male midwife Marcus Dent. Back on our screens as Marcus is Charlie Condou, the man we are hoping to have finally brought a permanent love interest back into Sean’s life. As we speak Marcus is trying to get into the TARDIS-like Grimshaw household and we hear that he will be around for the foreseeable future. Here we have a soap couple played by two well established gay actors. Although Charlie’s long term partner in real life is Cameron Laux.

We ask Charlie what the most romantic thing is that he has done in his life and he can’t think of anything but he thinks he makes Cameron laugh. What does Charlie think about the plethora of gay characters that are currently tumbling through Weatherfield as reported in some of the tabloids?

“Well they are a bit misinformed really. There are 66 characters in Coronation Street, and there are only really four main gay characters. The two couples at the moment are Sian and Sophie and Marcus and Sean. Of course lots of other gay characters have been passing through like Todd and his boyfriend and Ken’s grandson.”

What makes Marcus’s story all the more interesting is that in real life Charlie is a gay dad too. Charlie and Cameron have a daughter, Georgia Mae who was conceived via IVF with a good friend of Charlie’s. As a gay parent yourself, just how important is it to have gay parenting storylines on mainstream TV?

“It’s really important to me. When I came out my parents were fantastic but my mum said what about kids? She knew I wanted to have children of my own ever since I was a teenager and at the time it didn’t seem that it would ever be possible but times have changed and stories such as this make same sex parents visible and open up people’s minds to what is now possible”

Being a real gay dad, did you have any input into the development of the storyline?

“No, not at all, the writers on Coronation Street are fantastic and some of them are gay anyway so they really wanted to do this story.”

Do you think it’s an accurate portrayal of sperm donation, or what can happen when you decide to have a child with a friend? “There aren’t really any guidelines to follow for same sex couples.”, he says. “It’s difficult for gay men and women to have children, but that’s a good thing. It means you put the child first and are very clear about what you want and need to do.”

In the soap, Violet Wilson seemed very judgemental at the thought that her son would pick up some of his dad Sean’s ‘camp’ mannerisms. Have you and your partner ever experienced any prejudice because you are gay and have children? “Funnily enough a few of my gay friends have found it slightly uncomfortable with me being a gay parent, but none of my straight friends. We haven’t had any prejudice at all really but it is strange that the only people who have challenged it are friends who are gay. Someone asked me why I was trying to fit into a heterosexual stereotype. I thought I was doing the opposite, proving we can do it too.”

Charlie explained in a recent issue of Attitude magazine that it was important for his child to have a mum and that ‘you probably wouldn’t choose your partner as carefully’, but his female friend had wanted to have a child by the time she was 40 and Charlie’s desire to be a dad meant that Georgia Mae was conceived at the third attempt at IVF. Charlie also says how important it is to have both parents on the birth certificate but that, “Cameron is just as much a parent and we are all equal but it seems there is an inequality. He’s not actually recognised as a parent and we need to address that.”

So what advice would Charlie give to any other prospective gay parents out there? “Think very carefully and decide how it’s going to work for you. Your sexual orientation really shouldn’t be relevant.”

One thing both Charlie and Cameron are doing with their own daughter and Corrie’s Sean and Marcus are with Dylan is proving that gay parents can make it work Support for gay dads: http://gaydads.co.uk/ FINDING DONORS www. prideangel.com www.gayfamilyweb.co.uk FERTILITY SERVICES A full list of fertility clinics: http://guide.hfea.gov.uk/guide/ Manchester Fertility Services: www.manchesterfertility.com. www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 27

YOUNG PEOPLE

EXAMS! DEADLINES! SCHOOL! UNI! COURSES!

THE SUMMER OF

STRESS!

For many of you out there, this is the most stressful time of the year; exams, finals, deadlines and generally deciding what you want to do with life! With all of that going on, you might have noticed that you’re drinking and smoking more, feeling restless and struggling to eat and sleep properly. Don’t worry though, you’re not losing your mind, the chances are you’re stressed.

Stress can have a huge impact on us both physically and mentally, and is sometimes associated with other mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, which are more common amongst young LGB and T people.

Exams, deadlines and new starts, meeting new people and facing the pressure of coming out, all at once can create enough stress to make a serious impact on your wellbeing.

So time for the good news! When you’re experiencing a stressful time in your life, whether you’ve fallen out with your parents or haven’t got onto the course you’ve applied for, there are easy things you can do to help you cope:

There’s a lot of pressure on young people, and whether you’re in school, college, uni or working, the next couple of months can be a stressful time. Course applications, looking for work and thinking about new starts can put your head in a bit of a spin. Lucy Rolfe, LGF’s Wellbeing Coordinator explains what happens when we’re stressed: “It’s often the case that the first signs people notice are physical; experiencing things like headaches, difficulty sleeping, tense muscles and a change of appetite, the list is endless. If you’re stressed, you may also notice that you’re smoking or drinking more and feel irritable. Stress can sometimes feel like it’s taking over your life, but its doesn’t have to.”

•

•

•

Make sure you take time out and have regular breaks from what you’re doing; a 5 minute phone call to a friend can be all you need.

Smoking may seem to help in the short term, but it’s actually a stimulant which can heighten the physical symptoms of stress. If you’d like advice on how to stop smoking, pop in and see us any time between 10am and 8pm.

Many people drink alcohol to relax, but it’s actually a depressant, and being stressed on a hangover isn’t going to feel brilliant.

If you’re worried about how much you’re drinking, or would just like some free, confidential advice, pop in and see us

28 OUTNORTHWEST Support the work of the LGF. Donate online today at www.lgf.org.uk

•

•

•

anytime between 10am and 8pm.

I know you’ve heard it all before, but exercise is one of the best things you can do to ease stress. If things are getting too much, a 10 minute powerwalk can ease tension, clear your head and boost those feel-good hormones.

Remember that you’re not alone.

Whatever situation is causing you stress, we’re here to help. We won’t tell you what to do or judge you, and if you like, we can just listen. Call us on 0845 3 30 30 30 between 10am and 10pm us or pop-in anytime between 10am and 8pm.

If you’re in a crisis and feel unable to cope, speak to someone who can help.

Whether it’s us, a trusted friend, your doctor or the Samaritans, it’s important that you tell someone so you can get the support you need.

The Lesbian & Gay Foundation offer free counselling to under 25’s from our community centre in Manchester. The service is confidential and no issue is too small for us to help with.

For more information and to apply, contact counselling@lgf.org.uk or call us on 0845 3 30 30 30.

GAY MEN INTERVIEW: JAWAD MAHBOOB

FACING THE CHALLENGE “I HAVE COME ACROSS PEOPLE FROM IRAN AND IRAQ WHO HAVE FACED EXTREME DISCRIMINATION BECAUSE OF THEIR SEXUALITY.” Some people have enough work to do with one job but Jawad Mahboob has two! We thought it was about time ONW readers got to meet him.

Before working with BHA (Black Health Agency) Jawad was previously involved in coordinating a drug and alcohol education programme for black and minority ethnic communities.

One of the areas that Jawad found difficult to approach was sexual health. “The challenge that faces us when engaging with gay and bisexual men about sexual health is getting men to understand that like the basic needs in life such as food and shelter we also need to look after our sexual health. I guess I saw this as a challenge and challenges always motivate me, which is why I came into this line of work.”

Jawad also had to address the issue of being gay or bisexual in Asian communities.

“For some Asian men who have sex with men it is something they keep as a secret, it may be something they feel could create problems or isolation within family and their community if it ever came out. There is an increased risk of unprotected sex and having multiple sexual partners. There is also the battle of fighting cultural/religious barriers which do not accept this way of life and this can lead to a number of mental health problems.”

For some of these men there is a risk to mental health stemming from religious and cultural barriers that do not tolerate homosexual behaviour. “Every Asian family will have their own way of dealing with such situations, in my line of work I have experienced some real horror stories where sons have been taken abroad and married off thinking it will solve the problem, violence and emotional abuse as well as some guys having to runaway and go into hiding.

However you also have those families who will understand and support their children and we need to look at these positive models and use them if possible, sometimes we focus too much on negatives and that can hinder progress.”

“I understand that it is an issue for some asylum and refugee people, I have come across some people from Iran and Iraq who have faced extreme discrimination because of their sexuality. When coordinating the drug and alcohol education, one of the communities I was working with was Kurdish, and when delivering drugs and alcohol awareness, you begin to listen to some of the reasons why people use drugs.

One of the reasons being coming to terms with their sexuality and trying to block out the experiences of violence, hatred and abuse they faced in their country. I don’t think you can ever imagine what they must have gone through unless you have been in that position yourself.”

Jawad also works for the British Red Cross as a Project Coordinator and coordinates a men’s group specifically for those men who are seeking asylum or refuge in the UK.

www.thebha.org.uk www.redcross.org.uk

30 OUTNORTHWEST Support the work of the LGF. Donate online today at www.lgf.org.uk

UNDERSTANDING

YOUR WORLD

Fit for

folk!

An over 45s health and wellbeing day for men who are into men.

Saturday 20th August 11.30am-4.30pm

The Lesbian & Gay Foundation Number 5, Richmond Street, Manchester M1 3HF.

Programme Back in November 2010 The CHAPS Innovation Fund supported and enabled The Lesbian & Gay Foundation and Trade Sexual Health, Leicester to work in partnership, to conduct innovative work with Asian Men who have sex with men to find ways in which services can begin to better serve their needs.

Through focus groups and ongoing discussion and support, men involved in ‘The Rainbow Asian Project’ have shared their experiences to promote a greater understanding of their problems when coming to terms with sexual orientation, accessing support and the barriers and enablers to engaging in safer sex.

During the project some very clear issues and recommendations have been put forward and these are outlined in a new report that we hope organisations will be able to use to better support these men.

We know that due to cultural, religious or family beliefs many Asian men find it difficult to ‘come out’ and access LGB services. Some feel as though they have no-one to talk to about their issues and often fall victim to internalised homophobia, sometimes resulting in a closeted life. Without the right access to culturally sensitive services and sexual health provision, some of these men will remain hard to reach.

The challenge now is to develop services that best meet the needs of Asian men who have sex with men and we would like to share this report to enable this work to move forward.

If you would like a copy of the Rainbow Asian Project report please contact: andrew.gilliver@lgf.org.uk, or call 0845 3 30 30.

The Lesbian & Gay Foundation and Trade Sexual Health would like to thank the CHAPS partnership, all staff, agencies, volunteers and groups involved in this project. A big thank you to all the men who shared information with us for the Rainbow Asian Project

11.30 Guest speakers 12.00 1.00

1.45 2.30 3.00

Tai Chi session Free lunch and fabulous alcohol-free cocktails Know your limits quiz Bowel bingo The good sex workshop

Health checks available • Blood pressure • Cholesterol levels

Advice and Information • • • • • • •

Ageing and HIV Bowel cancer Prostate cancer Nicotine replacement therapy Counselling services Alcohol Sexual health including erectile dysfunction

Relaxing Head massage • Book early on the day to avoid disappointment Feel free to come for all or part of the day If you would like to attend or need more information contact Pete Smith on: 0161 248 1760 Email: peter.smith@mhsc.nhs.uk

Reg. Charity No. 1070904

Our Trust will soon be holding Governor elections giving you the chance to take up a new challenge while helping us improve our services. For more info contact Laura.knobbs@mhsc.nhs.uk, call 0161 882 1077 or go to www.mhsc.nhs.uk

ALCOHOL

WHAT’S YOUR PROBLEM? Thinking about the last 12 months, choose the answer that best fits you right now…

Questions

Scoring 0

1

2

3

4

How often do you have a drink containing alcohol? (this includes tonic wines or alcohol added to hot drinks)

Never

Monthly or less

2 - 4 times per month

2 - 3 times per week

4+ times per week

How many units of alcohol do you drink on a typical day when you are drinking? ‘One drink’ is rarely ‘one unit’ of alcohol so use a unit calculator to add up your drinks accurately

1 -2

3-4

5-6

7-9

10+

How often have you had 6 or more units if female (e.g. more than 2 large glasses of 14% wine), or 8 or more if male (e.g. more than 4 pints of regular lager), on a single occasion in the last year?

Never

Less than monthly

Monthly

Weekly

Daily or almost daily

How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?

Never

Less than monthly

Monthly

Weekly

Daily or almost daily

How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected from you because of your drinking?

Never

Less than monthly

Monthly

Weekly

Daily or almost daily

How often during the last year have you needed an alcoholic drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?

Never

Less than monthly

Monthly

Weekly

Daily or almost daily

How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?

Never

Less than monthly

Monthly

Weekly

Daily or almost daily

How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because you had been drinking?

Never

Less than monthly

Monthly

Weekly

Daily or almost daily

Have you or somebody else been injured as a result of your drinking?

No

Yes, but not in the last year

Yes, during the last year

Has a relative or friend, doctor or other health worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested that you cut down?

No

Yes, but not in the last year

Yes, during the last year

What does your score mean?

Score 0-7

Risk level Lower risk - this means in most circumstances you have a low risk of causing yourself harm.

8-15

Increasing risk - drinking at this level increases the risk of damaging your health and could lead to serious medical conditions.

16-19

Higher risk - this level of drinking has the greatest risk of health problems and could lead to alcohol-dependence.

20-40

Higher risk with probable dependence - your score suggests you are becoming over-reliant on alcohol and it is likely to be causing you health problems. If you are alcohol-dependent, you may develop withdrawal symptoms if you stop or suddenly reduce the amount that you drink.

32 OUTNORTHWEST Support the work of the LGF. Donate online today at www.lgf.org.uk

Your score

Where to get help Manchester Community Alcohol Team offers one-to-one advice and support for anyone wanting to reduce their drinking, stabilise, or stop drinking. Detox assessments are provided as well as a community care service for individuals and their carers.

Tel: 0161 882 1300 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4.30pm)

www.manchestercat.org

DRUG OF THE MONTH

ANABOLIC STEROIDS

AKA: roids; product names include Sustanon 250, Deca-Durabolin, Dianabol, Anavar, Stanozolol

Anabolic Steroids help to increase muscle mass if used in conjunction with a very strict exercise regime and also help you recover from exercise faster. They come in tablet form for swallowing or as a liquid which is used for injecting.

Many of the steroids that are sold in places such as gyms are in fact counterfeit and so don’t have the same effect, in fact they may not even have any active ingredient in them at all. Many steroids on the black market are actually intended for veterinary use.

Using steroids can cause mood swings, some people report paranoia, confusion and being unable to sleep. In men it can cause erection problems, breast development, acne, impotence and the testicles to shrivel. In women it can cause the breasts to shrink, deepening of the voice, risk of menstrual problems and change in libido. If you take them when young they can also stop you growing properly.

The reason many people use steroids is because they think they will help them build muscle faster. In reality it is hard to even get steroids which are not counterfeit and if you do manage to get some you need to ensure that your exercise regime, diet and frequency of cycle are all right otherwise it is almost pointless to take them. One of the biggest dangers of taking steroids comes from injecting; doing it incorrectly can cause vein damage, ulcers, and gangrene, particularly if you are using dirty needles. Sharing needles also puts you at risk of a whole host of blood borne viruses such as HIV. Whilst you are able to buy needles over the internet and some dealers may give you some for free they are not always safe and carry a high risk of not being sterile so it’s best to visit your needle exchange for clean needles and safer in injecting advice. Remember only ever use a needle once, even if it’s only you has used it; bacteria can build up in the needle and cause infection if it is used more than once.

If you are thinking of using steroids or need more information it is really important to do your own research, talk to substance use professionals and don’t just believe what you hear on the street or from friends. Check out the LGF website as well as FRANK. If you need to know where you local needle exchange is the look on the internet and give them a call for advice too, most of your local drugs services should be able to give you all the information you need.

Ending Homophobia,

Empowering People

www.lgf.org.uk

Registered Charity No.1070904

WALKING BACK TO HAPPINESS IT’S FREE, IT’S EASY AND YOU CAN DO IT PRACTICALLY ANYWHERE. IT’S ALSO FULL OF HEALTH BENEFITS. GET WALKING!

Keeping fit and managing to squeeze exercise into a hectic week can be a challenge. You start off the week with the best of intentions; promising yourself that you’ll be at the gym every day, when in fact, the closest you’re likely to get to it is walking past on your way home for a DVD night on the sofa.

There’s no denying that getting fit and staying fit takes hard work and dedication; and as the shirts come off and the legs come out around the Village as the temperature rises, you can start to feel the pressure. Being active day to day is actually the best way for us to keep fit and most

importantly healthy, in both body and mind.

The good news is that there’s a form of exercise that’s free, easy, you can do it anywhere and it has loads of health benefits.

Walking is one of the best forms of exercise you can get; it increases heart rate, eases stress and burns calories, it’s free and you can pretty much do it anywhere – so no excuses!

•

Physical benefits

•

With less than 40% of LGB people seeing their health as good, lesbians more likely to be overweight than heterosexual women and research suggesting that LGB people may be at a higher risk of certain cancers, there’s never been a better time to become more active. Making some simple lifestyle changes by fitting a walk into your day will bring you both long and short term health benefits, such as:

• • • • •

As if that wasn’t a good enough reason to swap your daily sardine-can commute for a health boosting stroll, here’s how walking can help to improve your overall wellbeing: •

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Burns calories and helps with weight control Great for your lungs (providing you’re not smoking as you walk!)

Lowers blood pressure Helping to keep your heart healthy Gives your muscles a workout (maybe even give you buns of steel!)

Helps to improve flexibility and coordination Can help to reduce the risk of serious health conditions and diseases (such as cancer, osteoporosis and heart disease)

It reduces stress and anxiety (Try stomping out the stress by walking home after a hard day) It’s cheaper than commuting, and you’ll

WELLBEING

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“WALKING IS ONE OF THE BEST FORMS OF EXERCISE. IT INCREASES HEART RATE, TO DIAL EASES STRESS, ANDTHIS BURNS NOW CALORIES... NUMBER SO NO EXCUSES!”

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avoid the stress of being stuck in traffic and be able to spend the money saved to treat yourself Walking in the morning will make you feel more alert and energetic for the rest of the day Improves your concentration Gives you a confidence boost and improves your mood A great way to fit some ‘me time’ into your day It’s sociable! From walking groups to going for a 10 minute stroll with your friend from work during your lunch break, walking and talking go hand in hand You’ll feel smug knowing you’re saving the planet by being more environmentally friendly

•

Using mobile phones/personal music players whilst walking could make you a target for muggers – keep them out of sight Don’t walk with earphones in, it makes you less aware of your surroundings and possible dangers If you’re going out at night, walk in a well-lit public area, don’t wear dark colours – and avoid taking shortcuts through quite roads/alley ways/parks Tell someone where you are and what time you’ll be back Take a small water bottle with you to keep you hydrated Wear sunscreen, the sun can be deceptively strong and a lobster face is never a good look!

Make sure you consult with your GP before taking up any new exercise programme

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So, you’re sold on the health benefits, all geared up and ready to become more active, but where do you start? Well, saying that you’re going to walk the 3 miles to and from work every day may be pushing yourself a bit too much to begin with, so have a read of our top 10 tips on the right,to help get you started.

Walking is a great way to get out of the house, get some fresh air and help to improve your fitness and wellbeing. It’s also a brilliant way to meet others, and is becoming an ever-popular alternative to the scene, but it’s also important to make sure you stay safe. Whether you’re out walking in the city or the country, make sure you get maximum enjoyment from your walk by following our tips on safe walking:

• • •

•

So, get out there, get walking and even drag your friends along, we guarantee you’ll start to feel the benefits of being more active in no time at all.

LGF are holding a ‘Walk & Picnic’ afternoon for lesbian and bisexual women and their friends on Saturday 18th June between 2pm and 5pm. For more information and to book your place, please contact women@lgf.or.uk or call us on 0845 3 30 30 30.

For general information about walking and to find your nearest group, visit the Ramblers website www.ramblers.org.uk or call 020 7339 8500.

TOP TIPS

WALK ON! OUR TEN TOP TIPS ON TAKING THOSE FIRST STEPS...

1 Start off by making small, manageable changes that work for you – unrealistic goals will ruin your motivation

2 Think about setting yourself goals for each week, slowly building yourself up as your fitness improves

3 Reward yourself for all of your hard work – achieving your weekly goal earns you a treat

4 Join a group – support from others is one of the best ways to keep yourself motivated

5 Get off the bus a few stops earlier if the journey is too long to walk

6 If you have to drive, park further away and walk the rest of the way to your destination

7 Make sure you wear comfortable and practical footwear to support your joints, trainers are ideal

8 Keep a diary, making sure you note down the benefits you’re noticing to keep you motivated

9 Rope your friends in – get out into the country for a weekend walk and a picnic

10 Build walking into your day by going to speak to people instead of emailing and using the stairs instead of the lift www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 35

GAY MEN

“the moral of the story...

Get f***ing tested!

It’s better to know than to merely suspect.”

TELLING IT

LIKE IT IS Patrick is 27 and was born in Barbados, of Dutch and Trinidadian heritage. He recently moved back to the UK, and set up home in Manchester. Patrick recently helped us out by offering his services at a recent photo shoot for our sexual health campaigns.

The reason Patrick wanted to help soon became clear. Here he tells outnorthwest about his experiences of coming to terms with his own HIV status, and how important it is for him to encourage other guys to get tested.

We are grateful to Patrick for sharing his story and please do read it, you just might learn something.

The Early Days “It was 2004, I had just turned 21 years old when I was diagnosed with HIV, and at the time I was living in London, as you could imagine I wasn’t too pleased. I just packed my bags and returned home, I knew I needed to be with my family.

But it wasn’t easy to tell my friends and family back home. Being gay is hard enough and to tell those I grew up with that I Was HIV+, was like saying I had the Ebola virus. But I knew if I told them they would see me as me.

will be part of my life forever. But in time, and with confidence, weighing out the balance became natural. Coming to terms with it all helped. I also learnt that I have a lot still to learn about life!

My father took it hard; he would mention it nearly every day. I eventually turned to him and said, Dad I don’t want to wake up each morning and remember I’m HIV+ I just want to wake up and live my life. To have conversations with them and discuss how we felt and how it’s changed us, was the best thing that ever happened.

I think that many guys find it difficult to go for regular HIV testing. They never think it will happen to them. Many years ago when I first came to the UK, it was normal to get tested every 3 months. My friends and I would all go together and make a day of it. Taking care of our selves and knowing our status, as well as using condoms was the norm.

It wasn’t easy in the early days. I’m a happy guy, but I deal with things differently, I would tell myself that I’m ok, and I seemed fine, but without knowing I was still lashing out. I started drinking a lot, to the point that I wouldn’t remember arriving back home.”

Going to The Clinic “I think walking into the clinic was the hardest thing to do, for the simple fact that the reality of me being HIV+ came to light, realising that I would be going to a clinic every 3-6 months,

36 OUTNORTHWEST Support the work of the LGF. Donate online today at www.lgf.org.uk

Within the last few years something changed, gay men became lazy, we were no longer scared of contracting HIV, because there were pills for it and you could just go on the meds and everything would be ok. We were no longer scared about the virus, so we became slack. But in another twist of fate, gay men also became too scared to even get tested.

The odd mistake here and there would be covered up with a single forgetful switch, and one would carry on. Because at the

FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET TESTED BY VISITING www.lgf.org.uk/testing

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end of the day, we’re no longer dropping like flies from HIV, are we?

“But I’m a Top!” But still in the larger cities, I found guys were still getting tested regularly even if they knew on the weekend they were in some sauna bare backing to death. They were still looking after Numero Uno. So good on them, but here in Manchester, boy oh boy does self-denial seem to be big. My favourite line is. I’m a TOP, so the chances are slim. Doesn’t matter if you are a top or a bottom there is always a risk! But the biggest risks are to those who have the virus and aren’t on meds!

Now the longer you go on without checking yourself your virus load will increase, which means you become a high risk individual to those you have unprotected sex with and you run the risk of the virus taking over. In the future when you’re on deaths door and you try to take meds, it will be harder for you to adjust to them and you might have to pop 8 pills a day. Someone I knew did 25 pills a day for loads of other issues and complications that come with it.

Dangers of not getting Tested “The lack of knowledge and stigma towards HIV is still very predominant.

My best mate here in Manchester contracted it many years ago; he left it alone and became so sick he nearly died. Eventually he went on medication and now stands by guys going out, getting tested and going on meds. Another friend in London didn’t get regular check ups and one day he woke up with his tongue so swollen it couldn’t fit in his mouth and his leg was blue.

Now he is having loads of issues getting his medication right. And another friend nearly had full blown AIDS because he never went and got tested. He also suffered with medication for leaving it too long.

Before I was diagnosed, I was, well let’s just say I wouldn’t want to be me from the past. But it’s the past that made me who I am today. But now I am a much more positive person.”

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Feel the fear...

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“Smoking Kills”, “Smoking seriously harms you and others around you”, “Smoking when pregnant harms your baby” – ok the last one isn’t all that scary if you are not, or never will be, pregnant… But, does fear have a part to play in public health campaigns?

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Is it in any way effective, and is anybody listening? We could argue that after a while, these so-called scary messages become a bit invisible. If anything other than cigarettes (or alcohol to an extent) carried a message that the product was scientifically proven to shorten life expectancy, people wouldn’t buy it.

Look at the public hysteria that takes place when a food substance is possibly contaminated with something that might cause cancer. The product is recalled and the newspapers go wild blaming someone else, usually Brussels.

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Although this might sound like I am on some kind of anti smoking rant, I am actually thinking about the role of fear in HIV campaigns. Whenever I speak to people about campaigns, and what is effective and what isn’t, the one thing that people always say is that campaigns should be more ‘hard-hitting’.

But what does this mean exactly?

What makes a campaign ‘hard-hitting’?

Most people will reference the AIDS campaign of the 1980s as ‘hard hitting’ and although this is true, let’s not forget that the message in itself was new.

No-one had heard of HIV and AIDS at that time, so the fallout from the campaign was as much to do with the subject as well as the campaign. Re-run a similar nationwide campaign now and the results would probably not be the same. People have an amazing ability to think that a message won’t apply to them if it scares them too much. The central message in the original 1980s campaign was to ‘protect yourself by using a condom’ - This message hasn’t changed (admittedly we probably wouldn’t see condom demonstrations and discussions around anal sex on Daybreak, as we did when the presenters used to perch uncomfortably on the sofa of TV-AM).

If we use fear as the driving force of a campaign, what are we hoping to achieve? Scaring people by showing them the worst case scenario has been shown to be counterproductive, mainly because people use their own experiences as evidence, and if they haven’t seen the stark and ‘hard hitting’ images in real life situations, then they could be less likely to believe the message.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not against more hard hitting campaigns; I just think that they need to be considered carefully. Campaigns are supposed to educate people as well as make them think. If we scare people into submission we could be driving those most at need away, whilst at the same time turning the worried well into nervous wrecks.

‘Hard hitting’ does not always mean effective.

E-mail peter.boyle@lgf.org.uk www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 37

GET IN!

PRIDE SPORTS! It’s almost that time of year again...It’s the UK’s only annual LGB&T multi-sports events. Over 2000 people are expected to attend and from charity runs to skiing tasters Pride Sports has something for everyone.

This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever. There’s a massive line up of different events to suit everyone’s needs and interests, and it’s for a good cause too as the games will be raising money for The Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust Here’s some of the events to look forward to.

Sunday 5th June Get down to Alexandra Park for an exciting, fun day with loads of stuff to do. There’s the 5k run, team sports events, a bouncy castle, a climbing wall and much more.

Monday 6th June Try something different at Manchester’s Chill Factore with the taster skiing and snowboarding session. You’ll have a 50 minute session with fully trained staff, where you will be able to experience the excitement of a real ski slope. This session is ideal for those who have never skied.

Tuesday 7th June ‘Slam Dunkin’ Divas’, the North West’s women’s basketball club is opening its doors to male guests for the evening to encourage more gay and bisexual men and trans women to play basketball in Manchester and maybe start their own team. The session is open to people of all skills and experience and you are guaranteed a very warm welcome. Trained coaches will take you through some fun warm-ups and training exercises and the night will end with a mixed game with the women.

Wednesday 8th June Come along to the Sprints Taster session, coached by the UK’s LGB&T athletics network, ‘Open Athletics’. This session will help improve on current skills or start off

The UK’s only annual LGB&T multi-sports event is just around the corner... a new hobby, it will give you tips on how to run faster and more efficiently. All levels welcome.

Thursday 9th June Over 50? Love walking? Join ‘Out In the City’, an Age UK group for a light walk around the city. It’s a good way for you to meet more like-minded people and to get some exercise in a (hopefully) sunny Manchester.

Thursday 9th – Sunday 12th June Tickets are still available to watch the IGLFA European Football Championship. It’s a 6 and 11- a-side football competition with some of Europe’s best LGB&T teams. Also, if you’re a lesbian or bisexual woman, there are still spaces for the 6-a-side teams!

Saturday 11th June If you’re a lesbian or bisexual woman and love to swim this event is ideal for you. ‘WAMM’ (Women’s Aquatic Meet

38 OUTNORTHWEST Support the work of the LGF. Donate online today at www.lgf.org.uk

Manchester) are holding a swimming competition which is a great way to have a bit of healthy competition in your life and meet new people.

Even if you don’t want to swim, come along because you can watch all the fun (and there’s a party and brunch too!)

Sunday 12th June 2011 Salford Water Sports Centre is hosting this year’s Bell Boat Regatta. It is fun, competitive and a chance for a laugh with your mates. Enter as a group with your friends or enter as an individual for a chance to be in the ‘lucky dip boat’. Plus there’s a chance to win a medal and possibly a cash prize for your chosen charity.

For prices, bookings, times of all these events and more and please visit: www.pridegames.org

SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION

Two pages of sport and fitness every issue supported with enthusiasm by

SPORTING SHORTS

Love sport, hate homophobia and transphobia?

LGB&T people now have the backing of some of the biggest sports organisation’s around.

These include the Football Association, the Lawn Tennis Association, the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Rugby Football League and the Rugby Football Union, who have all signed up to the Government’s Charter for Action. The Charter aims to encourage more LGB&T people into sports, and challenge homophobia and transphobia both on the field and in the terraces.

Show your support and sign up at www.facebook.com/lgbtsportcharter

SPORTING HERO

ANTON HYSEN BACKS LIVERPOOL PRIDE The Liverpool born footballer who came out publicly in Offside magazine in March, is the world’s only out professional footballer, he said: “I’ve always felt a strong connection to the city and it’s great to hear how much it does for its gay community. I was shocked to hear of the recent attacks and about what happened to Michael Causer. I think it’s disgraceful that attacks like this still happen across the world. We need to learn from each other and also to teach younger people how to treat each other with mutual respect despite different backgrounds, colour, sexual orientation & religion.

I’m very proud to be from Liverpool and I wish everyone a safe & happy Pride.”

TELL US YOUR SPORTING NEWS! Are you part of an LGB&T sporting group in the north west? Let us know what you’re up to and we’ll let our readers know! Just e-mail your news to: joanne.dunning@lgf.org.uk

Team LGF AT the Manchester Run 2011 For the sixth year running the LGF had a fantastic team of runners in the BUPA Great Manchester 10k Run Sunday 15th May 2011.

Team LGF had 20 people taking part this year, all running against homophobia in their Enough is Enough! Action Against Homophobia T-Shirts. It might have been a cold and wet day but the spirits were high and Team LGF were fantastic! Big thanks to all 20 runners and to the cheering squad who also braved the weather to cheer on the runners.

Can’t wait for next year’s

Join Team LGF AT the London Marathon 2012!

The LGF have guaranteed places in the London Marathon 2012. If you fancy challenging yourself to a 26 mile run through our Capital City, email emma.peate@lgf.org.uk to register your interest.

www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 39

greater manchester & north west

Manchester

Free Safer Sex Packs available at most venues

88 Listing Indicator

£ Portland Street

Major Street

Hart Street

17

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PUBS, CLUBS & Bars 1 Alter Ego 105-107 Princess St, 0161 236 9266, home to Poptastic every Tuesday and Saturday night, clubalterego.co.uk 2

AXM

100 Bloom St,

Baa-Bar 27 Sackville Street, 0161 247 7997, glitter balls and a flashy dance floor, baabar.co.uk 3

5 Bar fifty7 Fourways House, 57 Hilton Street, 0161 236 5757

43

Whitworth Street

21

Club HD Arch 66, Whitworth St West, gay/mixed bar/club Friu & Sat nights, hdclubbing.com

15 Manto 46 Canal Street, 0161 236 2667, bar over three floors, mantobar.com

40 The Parlour Richmond St, theparlourmanchester.com

CLub lash Fetish at Legends, 2nd Friday of the month clublash.com

26 The Rembrandt 33 Sackville St, 0161 236 1311, traditional pub, rembrantmanchester.com

Eager Beaver at Manto Bar Lounge, Friday’s

Mint Lounge Gay Friendly 46-50 Oldham St, 0161 228 1495, trendy bar, mintlounge.com

18 Overdraught Student 121 Princess Street, 0161 237 0811

Crunch 10 Canal Street, 0161 236 0446, crunchbar.co.uk Cruz 101 101 Princess St, 0161 950 0101, one of Manchester’s most popular nightclubs, cruz101.com 11

Eden 3 Brazil Street, 0161 237 9852, food served daily, edenbar.co.uk 12

Essential 8 Minshull St, 0161 835 1300, nightclub over three floors.

50

Venues Key

Mixed

Mainly Men

6

25 The Outpost 4-6 Whitworth St, 0161 236 5400 legendsmanchester.com

8 company bar Only 28 Richmond St, 0161 237 9329, companybarmanchester.co.uk

10

£

14 Legends 4-6 Whitworth Street, 0161 236 5400, legendsmanchester.com

New York New York 94 Bloom St, 0161 236 6556, busy fun pub, popular with lesbians and gays of all ages.

Coyotes 14 Chorlton Street, 0161 236 4007, pleasant two floor bar, coyotesbar.co.uk

Piccadilly Train Station

Club Fizz Charlton Club, women only 2nd Friday of the month, 9pm-1am £5, see facebook

Churchills 37 Chorlton St, 0161 236 5529, karoke Tues and Thurs, churchillsmanchester.com

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24 The New Union 111 Princess St, 0161 228 1492 newunionhotel.com

16 Napoleons 35 Bloom St, 0161 236 8800, welcomes all LGB&T customers, napoleons.co.uk

7

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13 Eagle 15 Bloom Street, 0161 228 6669, open daily from 5pm till late. eaglemanchester.com

Bull’s Head Gay Friendly 84 London Rd, 0161 236 1724.

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47 Richmond Street

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Major Street

Minshull Street

2

(Free City Centre Bus)

Chorlton Street Bus/Coach Station

27 Abingdon Street

1

Chorlton Street

Sackville Street

Princess Street

11

Train Station Metrolink Stop Metroshuttle Stop

Portland Street

17

Thompsons Arms 23 Sackville Street, 0161 237 5919.

27

tonic 34 Canal Street, 0161 236 5757, intimate and modern bar serving drinks and food.

4

28 Tribeca Gay Friendly 50 Sackville Street, 0161 236 8300, New York style lounge, tribeca-bar.co.uk

19

Paddy’s Goose 29 Bloom St, 0161 236 1246, traditional pub.

29 Vanilla 39-41 Richmond Street, 0161 657 8890, vanillagirls.co.uk

20 Queer 4 Canal Street, 0161 228 1368, queer-manchester.com

30 Velvet 2 Canal St, 0161 236 9003, food served daily, velvetmanchester.com

21 Retro Bar 78 Sackville Street, 0161 274 4892, retrobarmanchester.com

31 Via 28-30 Canal St, 0161 236 6523, viamanchester.com

22 Spirit Canal Street, 0161 237 9725, lively and modern three-floor bar, spiritbar.uk.com

Taurus 1 Canal St, 0161 236 4593, taurus-bar.co.uk 23

The Bay Horse 35-37 Thomas St, 0161 661 1041, a traditional gay friendly pub, thebayhorsepub.co.uk

Mainly Women

All information provided by venues. Please check before arrival

Mainly Trans

Bar

gen-e-sis Women at Eden, lesbian club, 1st Sat of the month genesisclubnight.co.uk Homoelectric at Legends, 1st Friday every other month homoelectric.com Man Bears present Hairy! Bear at Legends, 2nd Saturday of the month manbears.co.uk Mish Mash Cabaret Circle Club, every 2nd Friday of the month, 8pm £8, mishmash1.com Morning Glory at Queer, after hours every Saturday open mic night Women Only LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, Women only & alcohol free, last Wed of the month, 7-10pm, £1 admission. kerry.maskell@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk

32 View 40 Canal St, 0161 236 9033

Organic at Spirit, after hours every Sat.

Club Nights ALERT Fetish at Legends, 4 Friday of the month club-alert.com th

BOLLOX Pop/Indie at Legends, 3rd Friday of the month bolloxclub.com Dance Floor

FEDERATION Mainly Men at The Ritz, every bank holiday clubfederation.com

Serves Food

Cash Point

POPTASTIC Pop/Indie at Alter Ego, 07974 248 247 poptastic.co.uk Pretty in Pink 80’s club night RECREATION clubrecreation.co.uk

Outdoor Seating

Disabled Access

33 Albert Kennedy Trust Number 5, Richmond Street, 0161 228 3308, providing supported lodgings, mentoring, be-friending and information and advice to young LGBT people, admin@akt.org.uk

Kath Locke Centre 123 Moss Lane East, Hulme, 0161 455 0211, traditional & complimentary medicine.

The City Centre Project 52 Oldham Street, 0161 228 3308 and 3309, project works with young people 16-25 yrs who’s primary disadvantage is homelessness.

33 The Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF) Number 5, Richmond Street, 0845 3 30 30 30, for all your LGB information and services, lgf.org.uk

Eateries

BRASSERIE Gay Friendly Albert Square, 0161 834 7633

CROMA Pizza and Pasta 1 Clarance St, 0161 237 9799, croma.biz

42 NICE ‘N’ NAUGHTY 39 Bloom Street, 0161 228 0020

Community Alcohol Team 0161 230 6382, manchestercat.org

43 Olive Deli 36-38 Whitworth St, 0161 236 2360

Community Arts North West 46-50 Oldham St, 0161 234 2975 can.uk.com

Pants 3rd Floor, Aflecks Palace, 07816276925, men’s designer underwear store, pants.uk.com

Eclypse Lifeline 73 Ardwick Green North, Ardwick, 0161 273 6686, young persons drug & alcohol support service, Mon-Fri 9-5, Thurs 9-7, fiona@eclypse-yps.org.uk

Pink Counselling Roger: 07506924801, gay male Therapeutic Counsellor working in Didsbury & Altrincham.

ProBalance Personal Training 0161 833 4777, gay friendly personal training gym in the City Centre, pro-balance.co.uk

Gregory’s Place 69 Ardwick Green North, 0161 273 2901, support for children and young people with HIV gregorysplace@barnardos.org.uk

44

Pure Tanning and Village Off License 37-39 Bloom St, 0161 236 1788

Lifeline 101-103 Oldham St, 0161 839 2054, lifeline.org.uk

QueensClean.co.uk Gay owned cleaning service. 0753 329 2451/ 0161 298 0335, queensclean@2die4.com

Lifeshare 0161 953 4069, male sex workers advice, lifeshare.co.uk

45 ROB 17 China Lane, 0161 236 6222, for all your leather, rubber and twisted gear, rob.com

CROMA Pizza and Pasta 30 Longfield Centre, Prestwich, 0161 798 7666, croma.biz

room to relax @ Fitness First, 7-11 Lower Mosley St, 07815672235, We offer a wide range of holistic treatments.

35 DRIP COFFEE Fourways House, 57 Hilton Street, 0161 235 5100, relaxed and friendly coffee bar.

Spa Satori 0161 819 2465, 112 High St, holistic health & beauty spa, spasatori.co.uk

Eighth Day Vegan 111 Oxford Road, 0161 273 1850 36 Genghis khans 16 Chorlton Street, 0161 228 1631, genghiskhans.co.uk

UPPERCUTS BARBERS The Arndale Market, 07784 156 693

Hotels & B&B’s

37

City Inn Manchester One Piccadilly Place, Auburn Street, 0161 242 1000, cityinn.com

Lava Café Bar Castle Quay, 0161 833 2444, lavacafebar.co.uk

CLYDEMOUNT GUEST HOUSE 866 Hyde Rd, Debdale Park, 0161 231 1515, bookings@clydemount.co.uk clydemount.co.uk

jacksons Jackson’s Warehouse, 20 Tariff Street, 0161 228 2677, axm-arcobaleno.com

LIVEBAIT Gay Friendly 22 Lloyd Street, 0161 817 4110, santeonline.co.uk SAPPORO Teppanyaki 91-93 Liverpool Road, 0161 831 9888 38 Shang Hi Gay Friendly

46 INTERNATIONAL HOTEL Gay 34 London Rd, 54 bedrooms, 0161 236 1010

Velvet Hotel 2 Canal Street, 0161 236 9003, velvetmanchester.com 30

61 Whitworth St, 0161 228 7868

Saunas

That Café 1031 Stockport Road, 0161 432 4672, thatcafe.co.uk

H2O Zone 36-38 Sackville Street, 0161 236 3876, seven day sauna for gay and bi men, h2ozonesauna.com

Shops & Services

47

Bannatynes Health Club Gay Friendly 36-38 Whitworth St, 0161 236 6864

inferno 496a Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, 0161 860 6666, seven day sauna for gay and bi men, infernosauna.com

Becky Johnson Counselling 07841 837029, Experienced individual and couples counsellor. M2 and SK9 locations. integrative-psychotherapy.eu

The Basement Complex 18 Tariff Street, 0161 236 8131, seven day sauna for gay and bi men, basementcomplex.co.uk

34

Central Manchester Osteopathy & Sports Therapy Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount St, 0786705385, help relieve your aches by looking at the bigger picture, centralmanchesterosteopathy.com 39

Clone Zone 36-38 Sackville Street, 0161 236 1398, clonezone.co.uk

Dr Phil Tyson 0161 256 1890, Men’s Psychotherapist and relationship counselling. menstherapy.co.uk ESSENCE COUNSELLING info@essencecounselling.org www.essencecounselling.org 41 Funky Crop Shop 37 Bloom Street,

0161 237 1032, village hair shop.

49 Gayter Hairdressing 57

George House Trust 77 Ardwick Green North, 0161 274 4499, ght.org.uk

48

Agencies 42nd St 20 Swan Street, 0161 832 0170, advice for young LGBs, fortysecondstreet.org.uk Addaction 31 Robert St. 0161 214 0770, Prison resettlement for people with drug problems, addaction.org Alcohol and Drug Services 29a Ardwick Green North, 0161 272 8844 alcoholanddrugservices.org.uk Barnardo’s Health Through Action The Progress Centre, Charlton Place, Ardwick Green, 0161 273 2901 BARNArDOS MANCHESTER LEAVING CARE SERVICES 36 Monton Street, 0161 226 6722, barnardos.org.uk

Hilton Street, 0161 236 1128, hair salon, gayterhairdressing.com

Black Health Agency 464 Chester Rd, 0161 226 9145, AIDS Helpline: 0800 0967500, blackhealthagency.org.uk

Helen smith FUNERALS 07870 541668, funerals that are individual fitting and true, helensmithfunerals.co.uk

Body Positive 39 Russell Road, Whalley Range, 0161 882 2200, bpnw.org.uk

Registered Charity No.1070904

Community & Health

Rapid HIV Testing @ the LGF Thurs 4-6pm, no appointment needed, results in 20 mins, 0845 3 30 30 30, lgf.org.uk the hathersage centre 280 Upper Brook St, 0161 276 5200 / 5212

Groups 35+ Lesbian & Bi Women LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, for 35+ women to socialise and makre freinds away from the scene, meets every Wed 1-4pm, kerry.maskell@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk

Manchester Drug Service The Bridge, 104 Fairfield Street, 0161 273 4040

40+ GAY MENS GROUP 0845 3 30 30 30, support and social group meets every Thursday 7.30-9pm.

Manchester Smoking Cessation 0161 205 5998

ART CLASS 0845 3 30 30 30, arts based activity group meets every Friday 7-9pm.

Pankhurst Centre 60-62 Nelson Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, 0161 273 5673, pankhurstcentre.org.uk

BiPhoria 07941 811124, bisexual support 18+, biphoria.org.uk

St. Mary’s Centre New St. Mary’s Hospital, Hathersage Road, 0161 276 6515, sexual assault referral centre, stmaryscentre.org The Lesbian Community Project 49-51 Sidney Street, 0161 273 7128, manchesterlep.org.uk

BLACK NORTH WEST 0845 3 30 30 30, for lesbian, gay and bisexual people of colour, meet at the LGF on the first Friday of the month from 7.30pm.

CAROUSEL 0845 3 30 30 30, social group for lesbian and bisexual women meets 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesday 7.30-9pm.

ThE Manchester Foyer 61 Booth St West, Hulme, 0161 276 1000, supported accomodation for young people 16-25’s, svha.co.uk

Edward carpenter community of gay men fortnightly meetings for gay men support, trust and friendship - also longer breaks away, gaycommunity.org.uk

The Village Citizen Advice Bureau 25a Hankinson Way, Salford Precinct, 0161 834 2005, employment services for LGB&T people thevillage.org.uk

friends of sackville gardens 0845 3 30 30 30, Meets monthly to plan improvements, maintenance and new planting in Sackville Gardens, emma.peate@lgf.org.uk

Clinics

Gaydio 1st Floor, Portland Tower, Portland Street, info@gaydio.co.uk

Jarman Clinic Withington Hospital, 0161 217 4939 North Manchester GUM Delaunays Rd, Crumpsall, 0161 720 2681 North Manchester Hospital Same day HIV test clinic, 0161 720 2845 Rusholme Health Centre Walmer Street, 0161 225 6699 outreach Clinic @ the LGF and 4 other locations, Mondays, no appointment needed, 0845 3 30 30 30, lgf.org.uk

Gay in the uk Refugee Action, 23-37 Edge Street, 07824 473 479, LGBT social group for refugees & asylu seekers, 1st Tue of the month 6pm, lgbtsocial@yahoo.co.uk gay MARRIED MENS GROUP A support group meets 1st and 3rd Tuesday 7.30-9pm at the LGF, 0845 3 30 30 30 Gay Naturist SWIM all ages, nude_n_manchester@yahoo.co.uk Icebreakers gay & bi men's support group meets 8pm every Wednesday at the LGF, 0845 3 30 30 30, icebreakersmanchester.org.uk

North West WEBSITEs

Just4lesbians.com a friendship site for singles and couples all over the world. just4lesbians.com j4ldating.com a lesbian dating site. j4ldating.com

Groups

Gay North West Camping & Caravanning Club Free club for LGBT people who enjoy camping and caravanning, gnccc.co.uk Gay Outdoor Group - Ability Group Outdoor activities for people with all types of abilities/disabilities and their friends and family, ability@goc.org.uk LGBT Youth Northwest PO BOX 153, Manchester. M60 1LP, 0753 106 1777, Support & fun projects for LGBT Young people 14-25; support & training for practitioners working with young people, lgbtyouthnorthwest@yahoo.co.uk

Queer Youth Network info@queeryouth.net, queeryouth.net Trans Resource Empowerment Centre (TREC) 07513 880647, Trans activities and info, meets 2nd Sat at the LGF, board@transcentre.org.uk transcentre.org.uk trans youth support (north west) 07530 352079, Supporting Trans young people & those questionning their gender identity, aged under 25, through email, phone & up coming Trans Youth Events, trans.youth@yahoo.co.uk

SHOPS & Services

D.C.H.A. Services Dean Cooper: 07534 509108, Help for and training around the needs of disabled people, dchaservices.co.uk

Please email any new or updated listing to: listings@lgf.org.uk

greater manchester & lancashire Groups Continued Inner Enigma 0845 838 1264, trans and intersex support and advice, info@innerenigma.co.uk KESHET Advocacy, education and support service for jewish LGB&Ts, 07528 700 926, info@keshetmanchester.org.uk Lesbian and Gay Youth Manchester (LGYM) LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney St, 0790 0680725, young LGBT people, 14-25, Tues 7.30-10pm, Sat 3-7pm info@lgym.org.uk lesbian asylum group LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, for LB women who have gained or are attempting to gain asylum status. kerry.maskell@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk lesbian discussion group LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, for LB women, meets 3rd Wed of the month, 7-8.30pm, to debate issues & share views kerry.maskell@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk

out to the theatre Jon: 01457 877 161, gay men’s social group, joncassun@yahoo.co.uk OutWrite 07931 915 620, LGBT writing group, outwrite.org.uk

Manchester Front Runners 07813 336 445, LGF Box 106, Number 5, Richmond Street, M1 3HF, running club catering for all abilities, meets every Thurs in the city centre, manchesterfrontrunners.org

The Parallel 9A Churchgate, 01204 462444 theparallel@bolton.nhs.uk

MANCHESTER PRAIRIE DOGS 07960 351 882, line dance sessions, every Tues 7.30-9 beginners, 9-10.30 intermediate, manchesterprairiedogs.co.uk

Loud & Proud LGBT Youth 07824 541211 or 07918 913937, Meets Wednesdays 5.30 - 8. For 13-19 yr olds, boltonlgbtyouth@bolton.gov.uk

Queer Youth Manchester 07092 031 086, info@queeryouth.net

Manchester SHARKS Miles Platting Pool, Varley Street, water polo club manchestersharks.co.uk

bUrY

Rainbow Families c/o LCP, 0161 273 7128, peer support & monthly social for current & prospective lesbian parents and their children, rainbowfamilies.co.uk

Manchester Stingers WFC Womens football club for all abilities, helenamcdonald@hotmail.com

queer skinhead brotherhood queerskinbrotherhood@googlemail.com

Right2Unite Zion Centre, Hulme, 0161 226 0170, LGB group meets every Tues.

lesbian mental health support group LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, for 18+ LB women and M2F transwomen, meets every other friday. kerry.maskell@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk

salford youth service lgbt youth group at The Base, 0161 778 0702, steve.dyson@salford.gov.uk

manchester walking women its.elly@yahoo.co.uk

lesbian reading group (& lending library) LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, for LB women, meets 3rd Wed of the month, to discuss or choose books from the library 6-7pm, kerry.maskell@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk

sofa (support or fun activities) LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, for LBT or questioning women, Wed 7-9, peer support and fun activites enquiries@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk

LIK:T 07813 981 338, run by and for young lesbian and bisexual women, 1st Monday of the month, likt_info@likt.org.uk lilac - lesbian cancer support LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, 3rd Mon of the month, 7-8.30pm, for LB women who have experienced any form of cancer. lilacgroup@hotmail.co.uk lilac.cfsites.org Manchester Christian Group 07743 476191 Manchester Concord transgender Social group every Wed 7pm upstairs bar, New York New York, Bloom St (changing room 5-11pm). mary@manchesterconcord.org.uk Manchester gay skinheads oi-skinhead.com Manchester Lesbian & Gay Chorus 07944 056047, mlgc.org.uk manchester lesbian community project drop in LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, for LB women, meets 2nd & 4th Thur of the month, 7-9pm, kerry.maskell@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk Manchester Parents Group 01565 733891 Manchester Rubbermen social group for gay men into rubber/latex fetish, manchesterrubber.co.uk Mango Men’s dining club 07866 909677, 1st Thursday of the month, mango.news@btopenworld.com Metropolitan Community Church United Reformed Church, Wilbraham Rd, 0161 881 6050, LGB&T led christian church mccmanchester.co.uk MMU LGBT mmu_lgbt@hotmail.co.uk MORF Manchester Lesbian & Gay Centre, 45-51 Sydney St, 0794 824 3289, soial & support for transguys 4th Monday of the month, morf@morf.org.uk morf.org.uk Out In The City 0161 205 3851, 24 Mount St, Wed 1-4. oitc.wordpress.com

MENTAL HEALTH independent support (MhIST) 30 Chorley New Road, 01204 527200, mhist.co.uk

Manchester jessies Lesbian & bisexual women’s walking group, meets twice monthly manchesterjessies@googlemail.com

Proud 2 b Parents 0161 226 0162, Moss Side Surestart Children’s Centre, 30 Selworthy Rd, for LGB&T parents and their children every 4th Saturday, matthew.roberts@manchester.nhs.uk

MANCHESTER VIXENS LADIES FC 07921 838 733, LBT football clubs, emphasis on fun, manchestervixens.co.uk

Let’s Do Lunch 07813 083242, lesbian diners every other month, paulad650@aol.com lesbiandiners.org.uk

HIV worker Emma Massey 01204 390772

SM Dykes 49-51 Sidney Street, 07952 237 526, smdykes@smdykes.org.uk smdykes.org.uk

Sphere 07854 901330, contribute to a South Asian LBT theatre project, all@sphere.org.uk STEPPING STONES 0845 3 30 30 30, A support group for lesbian and bisexual women meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday 7.30-9pm.

Triangle Club group for deaf LGBs, triangle_club_@hotmail.com Transforum Ninian’s Church, Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton, 07500 741 955, TransGender discussion & mutual support group, meets 4th Sat of the month 4.30pm, jennyannebuk@yahoo.co.uk trans lesbian group LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, social and support for LB transwomen. enquiries@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk VADA LGBT community theatre group drama workshops & performances, all welcome, vada.theatre@gmail.com women’s domestic violence Refuge: 0161 861 8428, Helpline: 0161 636 7525, support and advice to women and children experiencing domestic violence. wvdh.info@virgin.net UMSU LGBT Society student group, for social events, campagins, drop-ins and support enquiries@lgbt.manchester.ac.uk

Sports Groups Absolutely DANCING Trinity High School every Weds 8pm-10pm latin and ballroom lessons for the LGB&T community. absolutelydancingmanchester@hotmail.com BELUGA DIVERS Scuba Diving club for the LGBT community, belugadiving.co.uk Gay city strollers 0845 3 30 30 30, city centre walking group, info@lgf.org.uk Gay gordons manchester Scottish Country and Ceilidh Dancing and classes gay-gordons-manchester.co.uk GAY OUTDOOR GROUP transpennine walking group, 07855 197607 goc.org.uk Ghap badminton text 07946 191 482, ghapbadminton.org.uk MANCHESTER BADMINTON CLUB 07939 477026, Badminton club for the less experienced player.

Marlin Levenshulme Swimming Pool, Barlow Rd, trans swimming group, swim@marlin.org.uk NETBALL 07939 477 026, women only group with weekly coaching, training every Monday, 8-10pm.

NORTHERN ACES TENNIS GROUP 07929 917 361, tennis play in a social yet competitive environment, professional coaching, northernacestennis.com NORTHERN FLIGHT BADMINTON CLUB For experienced players, northernflight.org.uk northern jump 07783 297965, volleyball group, northernjump.co.uk Northern Wave swimming club 0161 872 1990, swimming for all, northernwave.org orca divers 125 Manchester Road, Chorlton, 0161 718 3118, orcadivers.com OPEN ATHLETICS Trains on Weds, 5K every 1st Sun. 07709 000 436, openathletics.org OUTDOOR LADS gay and bi-sexual lads into outdoor activities, outdoorlads.com outdoor lads climbing club outdoorlads.com Out on Sunday 07775 671691, walking group, outonsunday.co.uk

groups

aGENCIES & CLINICs Connexions 13-15 Broad St, 0161 253 7165, safe environment for young LGBTQ people to meet.

LGB&T police liaison officers North Bury - kevin.day@gmp.police.uk South Bury - andrew.hall@gmp.police.uk The Barlow Suite Clinic Fairfield Hospital, Rochdale Old Rd, 0161 778 2755 Young Person’s Advisory Service (YPAS) Parsons Lane, 0161 761 2136, sexual health services for under 20’s.

groups

Bury Anti-homophobic bullying group 0161 253 5884

bury lgbt networking group residents and service providers improving the LGBRT profile in our town, burylgbtnetworking@live.co.uk bury Council lgbt employee group 0161 253 6625, lgbt@bury.gov.uk LGBT Reading Group Meets at: Automatic Lounge, Market Street, 0161 253 6625, last Monday of the month 6.30-8.00, i.jenkinson@bury.gov.uk n.franklin@bury.gov.uk POG (Proud of Gayness) 0161 253 7733, Connexions, 13-15 Broad St, Bury, safe environment for young LGBTQ people to meet, connexions-bury.org.uk

SErvicEs

Timeless Funeral Services 265 - 267 Dumers Lane, Radcliffe, 0161 959 0108

ChOrlTon

pubs, clubs & bars

THE NIP & TIPPLE 197 Upper Chorlton Road, 0161 860 7330

EaTERIES

Touch Rugby Call on Paul 07775 022797 paul.scanlon-wells@rfl.uk.com

CROMA Pizza and Pasta 498-500 Wilbraham Road, 0161 881 1117, croma.biz

Village Manchester FC gay men’s football club for every level, vmfc.co.uk

The Lead Station 99 Beech Road, 0161 881 5559

Village Spartans Rugby Training sessions on Wednesday evening from 7pm, villagespartans.co.uk

shops

WEEKENDERS lesbian and gay walking group based in the North of England, geocities.com/weekenders_uk wheelies fc Manchester Leisure Sports Centre, mixed women’s football every Sun 11am-1pm.

Pad Gift Shop 105 Manchester Road, 0161 881 0088, pad-chorlton.co.uk

sauNas

inferno 496a Wilbraham Road, 0161 860 6666, infernosauna.com

CLUB NIGHTS

BoLtOn

Club Fizz Charlton Club, women only 2nd Friday of the month, 9pm1am £5, see facebook

The Star 11 Bow St, 01204 361113

OlDhAm

pubs, clubs & bars club NightS

Original TOUCH OF CLASS Womens Disco Tramways Hotel, 307 Blackburn Rd, 07709 185235, A monthly disco for lesbian and bisexual women, touchofclasswomensdisco.co.uk Twisty tuesdays J2 & The Attic Square

aGENCIES & CLINICs

Bolton Centre for Sexual Health Minerva Road, Farnworth, 01204 390771

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

The Brewery Tavern 42 George Street, 0161 287 0751 THE ABBEY INN Mixed 77 West Street.

CLINICs

The Phoenix Sexual Health Centre Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Rd, 0161 627 8753

SaUNaS

Pennine Sauna 96 Rochdale Rd, Shaw, 01706 842 000

GROUPS

SOLICITORS

pink triangle theatre St Cuthberts House, Tanners Fold, 07932 928134 pinktriangletheatre.co.uk

B. J. McKENNA & CO 182A Heaton Moor Road, Heaton Moor, 0161 432 5757, bj.mckenna@zen.co.uk

ROcHdAlE

O’Neill Patient Solicitors Chester House, 2 Chester Rd, Hazel Grove, 0161 483 8555, oneillpatient.co.uk

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

Bar Vegas 37 Bailey St, 01706 630 708

CLINICS

Sexual Health Crisis Intervention Team 01706 261 954, 1-to-1 support for young people.

Sexual Health PROMOTION UNIT 01706 517 613 THE BRIDGE SEXUAL HEALTH CLINIC Stone Hill Block, Rochdale Infirmary, 01706 517 686

GROUPS

Proud Youth around rochdale 07531 061 777, LGBT young people from Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton 14-25 lgbtyouthnorthwest.org.uk

GROUPS

Out in stockport Stepping Hill, 0161 483 4784 outinstockport.wordpress.com People Like Us (PLUS) LGBT Social support group, 2nd Wed of the month at The Arden Arms, 7.30pm, stockportplus.org PLUS Exercise Group (PEG) 07880 746 079, arranges monthly walks in the Stockport area PLUS Reading Group 07880 746079

WALKDEN gateway 2 Smith Street, 0161 212 5717, Mon 6-8.30pm, Tue 2-4.30pm drop in.

Groups

agENciEs & CLINICS

bsure 0845 602 0894, Chlamydia screening for under 25’s, b.sure@bwdpct.nhs.uk b-sure.org.uk Lifeline Project 68-70 Darwen St, 01254 677493, supporting young people up to the age of 25, with substance and alcohol misuse issues, yps@lifeline.org.uk

pubs, clubs & bars

The ladysmith Gay Owned Lees Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, 0161 343 0220

CLINICs

Out Youth LGBT Group East Lancs The Hub, Accrington & Rossendale College, 07895 794850, 14-19 yr olds, 6-8pm 1st & 3rd Tues.

Burnley

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

BACKSTAGE BAR 135 St James St, 01282 414895

Sexual Health Clinic Ashton Primary Care Centre, 193 Old Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, 0161 342 7100

GABRIELS Graffiti Club, Bethesda Road, Burnley, every Saturday from 10pm-3am.

GROUPS

bsure 0845 602 0894, Chlamydia screening for under 25’s, b.sure@bwdpct.nhs.uk b-sure.org.uk

Glossop LGBT group glossoplgbt.co.uk

Outloud Lisa Matthews: 0161 336 6615, Tameside youth service 11-19 youth group.

Proud Tameside - LGBT Network 0161 339 4985, tinyurl.com/proudtameside

trAfFoRd CLINICs

The Trafford Centre for Sexual Health Trafford Hospital, Moorside Rd, 0161 746 2621

aGENCIES

Relate 346 Chester Road, 0161 872 0303

CITIZENS ADVICE, 0844 644019

GROUPS

CLINICS

Sexual Health Clinic St. Peter’s Centre tel 01282 644300 Sexual Health Services for the Under 25’s condomcollective.com

EaTERIES

Red Triangle Café St James St, 01282832319

GROUPS

Quaker L&G Fellowship 16 Newfield Drive, Nelson, 01282 605724 Rossendale LGBT Youth Group 07817 541242, LGBT youth from Rossendale, Accrington and Burnley, rossendalelgbt@hotmail.co.uk

CHOrlEy

No Attitude 0161 912 2453, LGB youth group.

SALFORD YOUTH @ The Base, 0161 778 0702, for young LGBT people to meet, recieve advice, info and support. steve.dyson@salford.gov.uk

WIGan

breakout LGBT community radio group, c.o Chorley FM, lgbt@chorley.fm breakoutshow.co.uk

sTOcKpOrT

GROUPS

CLINICs

GUM DEPARTMENT Stepping Hill Hospital, 0161 419 5370 Stockport Council HIV Social Care Team 0161 474 3636, HIV social care service for people with HIV and their carers. hiv.services@stockport.gov.uk

aGENCIES

Age Concern 56 Wellington St, 0161 4801211

Central Youth ADVICE AND INFO 0161 426 9696, 1 St Peters Square, counselling and sexual health services for young people up to 25.

Stockport Centre for Health Promotion Regent House, Heaton Lane, 0161 426 5091

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

oscar’s bar 25 Victoria St, 07543 900678, gay friendly/mixed, oscars@tiscali.co.uk

CLINICS

Sexual Health Clinic Queen Victoria Centre, Thornton Rd, 01524 405 704

CLINICS

Blackburn LGB Youth Group Brook Advisory Centre, 54-56 Darwen St, BB2 2BL. 07809 847541, jonny.daniels@brookblackburn.org.uk

HIV Support Group 0161 912 4611, hivpractitioner@trafford.org.uk

ARDEN ARMS 23 Millgate, 0161 480 2185

MorEcAmBe

GROUPS

Salford LGBT Network meeting regularly to socialise and looks at ways of improving LGB&T life in Salford, adam.winter@lgf.org.uk

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

POUT! 0800 7831524, youth group and helpline, every Wed. pout99@hotmail.com yps.lancashire.gov.uk/pout-lesbian-gaybisexual-trans-youth-group

SPORTS GROUPS

Queen Inn 37 Oldham Rd, Ashton-under-Lyne, gay friendly.

swinton clinic 139 Partington Lane, 0161 212 5100, Mon 2-4.30pm, Tue 6-8.30pm, Fri 2-4.30pm drop in.

Stagedoor 23 Mincing Lane, 01254 674761

GROUPS

THE LOLLIPOP LOUNGE Disraelis 1, 26 Church St, every Tuesday thelollipop.co.uk

eccles gateway Church Street, 0161 212 5717, thurs 6-8.30pm, drop in.

starting Out Project Neil 07766 550264 0161 607 1620, Salford City Council’s young LGBT tenancy support service. neil.cochrane@salford.gov.uk

C’est La Vie 11-15 Market St, 01254 691877

SHOUT 01254 300126, young sexual health team up to 25 shoutteam@yahoo.co.uk

TamEsIde

Goodman Sexual Health Clinic Oaklands Hospital, 0161 212 5717, Appt only: Mon 9-11.30am, 1-4.30pm, 6-9.30pm, Tue 9-11.30am, Wed 1-4.30pm, Thurs 9-11.30am & 1-4.30pm, Fri 9-11.30am. DROP IN: Tue 2-4.30pm & 6-8.30pm.

LeYlAnd

Bar Ibiza 43 Darwen St, 01254 695379

OrMsKIrk

Brook Advisory 55 Regent Street, Eccles, 0161 707 9550

irlam medical centre MacDonald Rd, 0161 212 4500, Wed. 6-8.30pm drop in.

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

BlACkBuRn

The Base LGBt YOUTH GROUP Diverse City, 0161 475 7700, 0161 426 9696, thebase@stockport.gov.uk

SaLfOrD

higher broughton health centre Bevendon Square, 0161 212 4500, Wed 6-8.30, Fri 9.30-11.30 drop in.

Royal Lancaster Infirmary Ashton Community Care Centre, 01524 387402

CLINICS

Sexual Health Clinic Blackburn Royal Infirmary, Bolton Road, 01254 687 304

stockport lesbian & gay dance group Latin and Ballroom dance group, Thursdays 7-9pm. jpguard@hotmail.com

aGENCIES & CLINICs

Lancashire

CLINICs

Sexual Health Clinic Royal Albert Infirmary, Wigan Lane, 01942 822 277 Just Us Wigan - LGBT Drop in Centre 11 Newmarket Street, 0756 490 3489, Providing information, facilities and a place to meet for individuals and groups. Open 12.10 - 2pm Mon-Tue, Most Fri from 7pm. wiganlgf123@aol.com, justus01.community.officelive.com OIpen Minds Group 07989 101 459, group for 18-25yr old LGBTQ, openminds-lgbt.co.uk

wYtHenShAwE aGENCIES

New Start Trust Alderman Downward House, 0161 498 0615, drug advice and support

Please email any new or updated listing to: listings@lgf.org.uk

GROUPS

POUT! 0800 7831524, youth group and helpline, every Wed. pout99@hotmail.com yps.lancashire.gov.uk/pout-lesbian-gaybisexual-trans-youth-group

LanCAStEr CLUB NIGHTS

DANCING DIVA For more information, dancingdiva5@hotmail.com

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

Gregson Café/Bar Gregson Community and Arts Centre, 33 Moorgate, 01524 849959, gregson.co.uk Sylvesters (Formally The Vine and Hops) 84 King Street, mixed cabaret bar THE DUKE OF LANCASTER 75 Church Street, 01524 842843, info@thedukeoflancaster.com

GROUPS

PYRO (Proud Youth Are Out) 07717 301821, 13-25 years, naomh.mckee@lancashire.gov.uk

CLUB NIGHTS

Sexual Health Clinic Ormskirk General Hospital, Wigan Road, 01695 571043

GROUPS

edgehill university LGBT society search on facebook

PrEstOn

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

Blowing Wild Club Grimshaw Street, open Thurs, Fri, Sat, 07752 512232 Oblivion 12-14 Grimshaw St, 01772 252876 The Hangout Hammonds Row (opposite Bus Station), 07751 711335, Saturdays 21.302.30 (student nights), preston-hangout.co.uk

CLINICS

Sexual Health Clinic Royal Preston Hospital, Sharoe Green Lane, 01772 522814

AGENCIES

drugline lancashire 2 Union Court, 01772 825 684, enquiries@druglinelancs.co.uk Preston HIV Support Team Helpline: 01772 468170, PO Box 515, Preston, PR1 8XP, phivst@aol.com

GROUPS

CENTRAL LANCASHIRE HIV ADVICE 01772 825 684, Helpline: 01772 253 840, Drugline Lancashire Ltd, 2 Union Court.

Freinds of Dorothy Age Concern, Arkwright House, 01772 552 862, befreinding and support services andrewdrake@55plus.org.uk lancashire county council lgbt network lgbt@lancashire.gov.uk Lesbian Connection lesbian social group meeting monthly lesbian_connection@yahoo.co.uk

PRESTON LGBT CENTRE Drop-in Sean 07966 373 110, 1st Thurs of the month, 6.30pm at Disability Equality (NW), 103 Church St search facebook UCLAN LGBT Society Every Thurs at 8.30pm ro@cantthinkstraight.co.uk (female) or martin@cantthinkstraight.co.uk uclan lgbt employee network lgbtstaff@uclan.ac.uk VIBE c/o Young Peoples Service, 07814 493750, LGBT youth group meets Thurs evenings. yps.lancashire.gov.uk/get-vibe

skelmersdale GROUPS

West Lancs LGBT Community Support Group 0845 0046994 (12-5) 24hr text: 07514819063, USA helpline: +1 646 439 0177, 143 Tarlswood, includes support for the Romanian community, westlancashirelgbtcommunity.co.uk

blackpool & cumbria

30

Mount Street 4 49 3 56 38 2 5 16 32 33 17 Yates Street 59 6

Blackpool Hotels

High Street

53

23

Lord Street

Dickson Road

General Street

Promemade

14

20 18 47 Pleasant Street

1 Anchorage 18 Withnell Road, 01253 341771 2 Ash Lea Hotel 76 Lord Street, 01253 628161, ashleahotel.com

Astor Hotel 83-85 Lord Street, 01253 290669 3

4

Athol 3 Mount St 01253 624918

Belvedere 77 Dickson Road, 01253 624733 5

BLENHEIM HOTEL 75 Lord Street, 01253 623204, blenheimhotel.org.uk 6

50

9 25 10

61

51

Banks Street 55 23 43 57

General Street

17 58 52

15 33 14 54 36 12

Brooklyn 7 Wilton Parade, 01253 627003 61 Brownes hotel 15 Vance Rd, 01253 753089 browneshotel.co.uk

29

9

42

10

Camelot 80 Hornby Rd, 01253 620518 CHaps 9 Cocker St, 01253 620541

19

35

Cumforth Hotel 24 Springfield Rd, 01253 626133, cumforth-hotel-blackpool.co.uk

44

13

DERBY HOTEL, 2 Derby Rd, 01253 623708

22

14

Dixon 84 Dickson Rd, 01253 752379

16

FOUR SEASONS 74 Lord St, 01253 622583

15

12

62 41

37

High Street

Dickson Raod

Abingdon Stre

Promemade

30 11 3 10 11 Queen Street

17 Gabrielle’s Women Only 77 Lord Street, 01253 295565

Guyz 16 Lord Street, 01253 622488

12

21

K in

13

18

Train Station Tram Stop Parking

reet

George St.

46 Charles St.

Caunce St.

25

S. King St.

88 Hotel Indicator

22 HOTEL NEVADA 23 Lord Street, 01253 290700, gaybeds.co.uk

Milbourne St.

Chur ch St

Loepold Gr.

Coronation St.

61

24

et

34 20

Cookson Street

Promemade

1

32

Topping Street

Abingdon Street

19

HOTEL Bacchus 326 Queens Promenade, 01253 350387, hotelbacchus.co.uk 21

Talbot Road 5

6

Chur ch St

reet

9

88 Venue Indicator

£

Cash Machine Blackpool Tower Pedestrianised

34 New Hertford 18 Lord Street, 01253 621831 35 North Central Hoilday Flats 29 Lord Street, 01253 621831 36 NORTHERN LIGHTS HOTEL 26 Springfield Road, 01253 317016 37 Northern Star 9 Lord Street, 01253 628073 63 north grange hotel 238 Queens Promenade, 01253 351409, info@northgrangehotel.com northgrangehotel.com 38

Park House 81 Lord St, 01253 314571

39 PHOENIX 12 Cocker Street, 01253 299130, phoenixblackpool.com 40

Pier View 16 Banks St, 01253 624555

41 PRIDE LODGE 12 High Street, 01253 314752, pridelodge.com 42 Rubens Hotel 39 Lord Street, 01253 622920 43 Sandylands 47 Banks St, 01253 294670 44 Seacroft Suites 27 Lord Street, 01253 628304

47 SUSSEX HOTEL 14-16 Pleasant Street, 01253 627824

Homecliffe Hotel 5-6 Wilton Parade, 01253 625147 homecliffehotel.com

gS tre

26 29 16

New Bond 72 Lord St, 01253 628123

62 Granby lodge 15-17 Lord St, 01253 627842, granbylodge.com

Heatherdale Lodge 2 Pleasant Street, 1253 626268

8

North Pier

33

46 Sunnyside 16 Charles Street, 01253 622983

20

4

32 MOUNT PLEASANT 75 Dickson Road, 01253 620362, mountpleasanthotel.com

Grampian House 4 Pleasant Street, 01253 291648, info-onw@grampianhouse.com 18

19

et

27 7

Brene Hotel 37 Lord St, 01253 621854

8

7

2 1

28

7

34

31

22

28

High Street

40

bradbury HOTEL 25/27 Banks St, 01253 624972, bradburyhotel@hotmail.co.uk bradburyhotel.co.uk 61

Lord Street

Promemade

45

26 Cocker Street 60 24

Dickson Raod

39

Registered Charity No.1070904

8 31 48

13 21 27 63

23 Legends Hotel 45 Lord Street, 01253 620300 24

Lenbrook 69 Lord St, 01253 626737

25

Liberty's Hotel 01253 291155

26 Lonsdale Hotel 25 Cocker Street, 01253 621628 27

Lyndale Court Hotel 01253 354033

28

Lynmar 74 High St, 01253 290046

29

Mardi Gras 41 Lord St, 01253 751087

30 McHALL’S HOTEL 5-7 Lord Street, 01253 625661 31 Merecliff Hotel 24 Holmfield Road, 01253 356858

Please note all listings information is provided by third parties. The LGF can accept no responsibility for the quality of the services/groups listed

THE Berkeley 6 Queens Promenade, 01253 351244 selfcatering.tv 48 THE GYNWAY HOTEL 205 Dickson Rd, 01253 314747, gynwayblackpool.com 49 The Wilcot Hotel 80 Lord Street, 01253 621101 50 Thorncliffe 63 Dickson Road, 01253 622508 51 Trades Men Only 51 Lord Street, 01253 626401 52 VALENTINE HOTEL 35 Dickson Road, 01253 622775, valentinehotelblackpool.co.uk 53 VIDELLA HOTEL 78-82 Dickson Road, 01253 621201, videllahotel.com 54 Village Hotel 14 Springfield Road, 01253 290840 55 warwick Holiday flats 39 Bank Street, 01253 623787 56 Westfield House 78 Lord Street, 01253 621992, westfieldhouse.co.uk 57 WILLOWFIELD GUESTHOUSE 51 Banks Street, 01253 623406, willowfield-guesthouse.co.uk 58 Windsor House 47-49 Dickson Road, 01253 206 206, windsorhouse.info 59

Woodleigh 11 Yates St, 01253 624997

Worcester House 22 Cocker Street, 01253 620007 60

Please note all listings information is provided by third parties. The LGF can accept no responsibility for the quality of the services/groups listed

Cruz Bar 23 Dickson Rd, 07946 528153

Blackpool LGBT Reading Group 01253 478 080, Blackpool Central Library, Queen Street, meetings every last Thursday of the month at 6.30pm. central.library@blackpool.gov.uk

KAOS Mixed 38-42 Queen St, 01253 318798, kaosbar.co.uk 3

8 Lucy’s at TABOO Mixed 69-71 Talbot Road, 01253 622573, tabooonline.co.uk

ROXY’S Gay Friendly 23 Queen Street, 01253 622573, roxysonline.co.uk 7

The Alabama Showboat Mixed 1 Cocker Sq, 01253 291155, thealabama.co.uk 9

LGBT Community c/o Multicultural Centre, 07833 447604, klwicks@hotmail.co.uk

55+ older men’s group 07875 355 390, meets every 2nd Mon of the month at 2pm and every Thurs 12.30pm.

2 Funny Girls Gay Friendly 5 Dickson Rd, 01253 649154, funnygirlsonline.co.uk

6 Pepe’s Bar Mainly Men 94 Talbot Rd, 01253 626691, pepesonline.co.uk

Groups 25/55 Icebreakers 07875 355 390, meets every last Tues of the month, 7pm.

BOOTCAMP Mainly Men 5 Dickson Road, 01253 649153, fg2online.co.uk 1

5 Mardi Gras Mixed 114 Talbot Road, 01253 296262

Please email any new or updated listing to: listings@lgf.org.uk

18/25 Icebreakers 07875 355 390, for gay & bi men, 1st Tues of the month, 7pm.

Pubs, Bars & Clubs

THE GARDEN PLACE Gay Owned Cropper Road, 01253 699987

Truffles Steak House Gay Friendly 51-53 Topping Street, 01253 294804 20

West Coast Rock Cafe Gay Friendly 5-7 Abingdon Street, 01253 751283 21

Anton’s Cafe-bar Gay Owned 9 Park Rd, Lytham St Annes FY8 1QX 01253 724721

HIV/HEP C support group 07875 355 390, call for details.

Lancashire Lad’s group (for trans f to m) 07833 738035, 07768 956640, 07875 355390, meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month at SHIVER, 7pm. lgbt forum 0787 355 390, council led community meeting every 2nd Tues 6.30pm.

Saunas

LGBT PACT 07875 355 390, police and community meetings 1st Thurs of the month.

22 ACQUA SAUNA CLUB 25-26 Springfield Road, 01253 294610, acquasaunas.com

TRhe Sugar Lounge 001253 311431, SHIVER @ The Cornerhouse, 18+ lesbian/bi women, hward@druglinelancs.co.uk

23 Honeycombe Sauna 97-107 Egerton Road, 01253 752211 honeycombe.net

Liberty Church North Shore Methodist, Dickson Rd, 07955 597771, libertychurchblackpool.org.uk

4 TimeOut Party Bar Mixed 68-70 Abingdon Street, 01253 628502

WET WET WET SAUNA 1-3 Charles Street, 01253 751 199, wetwetwetsauna.co.uk

Ok2be 01253 754841, support service for young people up to 19 years of age, hayley.mills@blackpool.gov.uk

Eateries

Clinics & Agencies

12 AJ’s Bistro Gay Friendly 65 Topping Street, 01253 626111

25 Body Positive BLACKPOOL 23 South King Street, 01253 292803, info@bodypositiveblackpool.org

Relaxation group 01253 311431 at SHIVER

The Flamingo NIGHTCLUB Mixed 44 Queen St, 01253 649151, flamingoonline.co.uk 10

The Flying Handbag Mixed 44 Queen Street, 01253 649155, flyinghandbagonline.co.uk 11

14

Buddies Chippy 28 Dickson Street

53 Cascades Restaurant Gay Owned 82 Dickson Road, 01253 62120, cascadesrestaurant.co.uk

Café Latté 30-32 Dickson St, 01253 752077 15

Don Antonio 91 Redbank Rd, 01253 352440

fuel sandwich Bar 33 Adingdon Street, 01253 749813 fuelblackpool.com 16 Mandarin Cantonese Restaurant Gay Friendly 27 Clifton Street, 01253 622687

Nite Bites Gay Friendly 50a Dickson Road, 01253 627976 17

SLICES SANDWICH HOUSE Gay Owned 10 King Street, 01253 751441 18

The Buttery 1 Cheapside, 01253 296667 19

!

RE-Opening

24

City Learning Centre Bathhurst St, 01253 478 309, clcbusiness.com Connect 01253 751047, connectyoungpeople.co.uk

The Renaissance Transgender Support Group meetings twice monthly, gynwayblackpool.com/ renaissance_transgender_forum.htm

27

Connexions 2-8 Market Street, 01253 754840, connexions-direct.com

Transinclusion group (M2F) 3rd Tues of the month 7pm, 07875 355 390

HIV Nursing Team 150/158 Whitegate Health Centre, 01253 657171

Cumbria

26

29 NHS Drop In Centre 26 Talbot Road, 01253 655871

richmond fellowship 07876 568260 or 01253 780952, Metal Health support to aid recovery.

Sexual Health Clinic 150/158 Whitegate Health Centre, 01253 657171 30 SHIVER (Sexual Health HIV Education & Responses Drugline Lancashire Ltd) The Corner House, 102 Dickson Road, 01253 311 431

AGENCIES

cumbria police hate crime reporting line 0845 33 00 247 cumbria.police.uk

AmBlESidE

hotEls & B&B's

Chapel House Kirkstone Road, 01539 433 143, chapelhouse-ambleside.co.uk Chestnut Villa Keswick Road, Grassmere 01539 435 218, gay run B&B, chestnutvilla.com

BarRow iN FuRNESs CliNICS

Solicitors

sexual health clinic Furness General Hospital, Dalton Lane, 01229 404 464

31 Atkinson, Cave & Stuart 45 Springfield Road, 01253 293151

aGENCIES

Shops 32 Daran Hairdressing Gay Owned 10 Edward St, 01253 441000 darans.co.uk

Evolution Hair Studio Gay Owned 255 Dickson Road Paul’s 5 General St, 01253 290928 unisex hairdresser.

33

34 Perfect Fit Alterations 42 Topping Street, 01253 290156

SMILE SPA AT HELIO FITNESS Newton Drive, 01253 393909

pro active young gays and lesbians (paygal) Wendy Phizacklea, 01229 836 426, 07742 353 520, wendyp.rorys@googlemail.com south lakes Girls 07952278760 (evenings), Various nights for all trans people or those querying. trans.lakes.nights@ googlemail.com south lakes lgbt forum Wendy Phizacklea, 01229 836 426, 07742 353 520, 48-50 Suffolk Street, 13-24 LGBTQ youth meets weekly,wendyp.rorys@googlemail.com

cArLisLe CliNICS

Cumberland Infirmary 01228 814 814

aGENCIES

Connexions 28 Lowther Street, 01228 596272 outreach cumbria lgbt project 07896 250662, outreach@btinternet.com

GrOUPS

Pride in north cumbria 07901 765453, Young people 14-25 meet twice weekly, prideinnorthcumbria.webs.com

PUBS, CLUBS & BarS

Outrageous 77-79 English Street, 01228 593745, outrageouscarlisle.com

SaUNaS

Sweat Sauna Club Atlas House, Nelson St.

KenDal

SWOSS (Sex Workers Support Services) 01253 311 431/07811 192 517, drop in on a Monday 2.00-4.00pm at SHIVER.

CliNICS

Sexual Health Clinic Westmoorland General Hospital, Burton Rd, 01539 716 706

aGENCIES Connexions 124 Highgate, 01539 730045

Groups

Cumbria LesbIans Network 01539 741 285, 1st Saturday of the month, clnetwork@sky.com Cumbria Societies Brewery Arts Centre, c/o Switchboard 01524 847 437 south lakes lesbians for lesbian & bi women meeting monthly in Kendal for socials etc & walking groups, southlakeslesbians@gmail.com

wHiTeHaveN Groups

lgbt youth group 07727 297948, 13-25 lgbt youth meets every Tues

WInDerMerE HOTELS & B&B's

Thorncliffe Lesbian Owned Prince's Rd, 01539 444 338, thorncliffeis@tiscali.co.uk, thorncliffe-guesthouse.co.uk

WorKiNgToN

Connexions 237-241 Dalton Road, 01229 824052

GrOUPS

Cumbria Lesbians network (CLN) 01524 858 206, clnetwork@tiscali.co.uk Freinds & Supporters of Furness Registered Charity No.1070904

THE DUKE OF YORK Dickson Road, 01253 625218, traditional pub and live entertainment.

lgbtq darts team Wendy Phizacklea, 01229 836 426, 07742 353 520, wendyphizacklea@youngcumbria.org.uk

CliNICS

Sexual Health Clinic Workington Community Hospital, Park Lane. 01900 705050

PUBS, CLUBS & BarS

Steam packet inn 51 Stanley St, 01900 62186

Please note all listings information is provided by third parties. The LGF can accept no responsibility for the quality of the services/groups listed Please email any new or updated listing to: listings@lgf.org.uk

merseyside, cheshire, yorkshire, staffordshire & isle of man Registered Charity No.1070904

Liverpool Queer Quarter

Around FACT Tithebarn Street

Puschka Gay Owned 16 Rodney St, 0151 708 8698 puschka.co.uk

Liverpool South Gay Dining Club 2nd Sat of month, igdc@talk21.com

16 THE MONRO Gastropub 92-94 Duke St,

Liverpool Students Union LGBT Society 0151 231 4947

Hotels

Liverpool Women’s Book Group Meets last Tues of the month, liverpoolbookgroup.com

0151 707 9933, themonro.com

The Feathers 119-125 Mount Pleasant St, 0151 709 9655, feathers.uk.com

AIDS Helpline 0151 709 9000

FEDERATION LIVERPOOL Monthly gay night, clubfederation.com GIRLS GO DOWN Monthly lesbian night, myspace.com/girlsgodown Gen-e-sis Vinyl Vasement Bar, Lark Lane, Women’s night last Sunday of the month.

Motor City Puzzle Bar, monthly alt night 1st Fri of the month (Starts oct 1st).

Merseyside L&G Community Forum 07970 680483, newsfromnowhere.org.uk Open Table St Brides Church, Catharine St, 07780 568 754, monthly eucharist for LGBT Christians & supporters, 3rd Sun of the month, open.table@yahoo.co.uk

Sahir House PO Box 11, 0151 708 9080, provides services to HIV positive people, their families and freinds, info@sahir.uk.com

OUR STORY LIVERPOOL 0151 709 4988, LGBT History community project. info@ourstoryliverpool.co.uk ourstoryliverpool.co.uk

Sexual Health Clinic Royal Liverpool Hospital, Prescot St, 0151 706 2620

Parents & Carers Group 0870 9908996

17 The Armistead Project 1 Stanley St,

0870 9908996, armisteadcentre.co.uk

18 NEWS FROM NOWHERE Bookshop 96 Bold Sreet, 0151 708 7270, newsfromnowhere.co.uk

BROKEN BISCUITS Monthly at Jupiters Bar

Bold Street

OSQA’S Oldham Square, 0151 709 6611, osqa-restaurant.co.uk

14 The Lisbon Mixed 35 Victoria Street, 0151 231 6831

Club Nights

Piccadilly Train Station

liverpool lgbt community network LCVS, 151 Dale St, 0151 227 5177.

Shops

10 Cumberland St, 0151 236 7786, masqueradebar.com

Victoria Street

Websites

22-24 Stanley St, 0151 236 6633

15 The Masquerade Mixed

Bold Street

13 Superstar Boudoir

2

Berry Street Roscoe Lane

23 Cumberland Street

puzzle 25 Stanley Street

Wood Street

11

Wood Street

10 Poste House

et

Back Berry Stre

19

London Road

9 Navy Bar 27-29 Stanley Street, 0151 231 1456

Roscoe Place

Culquitt Street

Seel Street

Modo Gay Friendly Concert Square

20 Culquitt Street

Liverpool Guild LGBT Society 160 Mount Pleasant, 0151 794 4165, liverpoollgbt@googlemail.com lgos.org/lgbt

Agencies & Clinics

8

18

1

ESPRESSO PLUS COFFEE Bar & Bistro 173 Rose Lane, Mossley Hill, 0151 724 6161

1 CAFE TABAC Gay Owned 126 Bold Street, 0151 709 3735

Mathew Street

12

7 Jupiters 10 Hackins Hey, off Dale Street, 0151 227 5265

et

MERSEY MARAUDERS part of the Gay Football Supporters Network practice weekly, mmfootball.co.uk

TRAVEL INN METRO Vernon St, 0870 238 3325

Heaven Victoria Street, 0151 236 4832

16

Back Culquitt Stre

Hope Pride Derwent House, Taggart Ave, Childwall, 0151 291365, lgbtofficer@hope.ac.uk

Eateries

G Bar Mixed Eberle Street, 0151 258 1230, g-bar.com 6

Fleet Street

Garlands Mixed 8-10 Eberle Street, 0151 709 9586, garlandsonline.co.uk 5

Seel Street

4 DESTINATION LIVERPOOL Temple St, off Victoria St, club-destination.co.uk

Parr Street

3 Curzon Club Mixed Temple Lane, 0151 236 5160, curzonliverpoo­­­­l.co.uk

FACT

14

Victoria Street

Slater Street

Duke Street

CAFE TABAC Gay Owned 126 Bold Street, 0151 709 3735 2

Duke Street

Bar Candy 8-10 Stanley Street, 0151 236 5160, curzonliverpoo­­­­l.co.uk

13

10

Sir Thomas Street

21

4

9

15

Cumberland Street

Baby D Temple Street

12

21

Stanley Street

3

Temple Street

1 3345 Mixed 33-45 Parr St, 0151 708 6345, 3345parrst.com

Temple Lane

Pubs, Clubs & Bars

Princes Street

£

Train Station Parking Cash Machine Pedestrianised

North John Street

88 Listing Indicator

11

Davies Street

17

Concert Street

8

Suffolk Street

Dale Street

Dale Street

Sweeting Street

Cunliffe St. Hockenhall All.

5

Vernon Street

6

Eberle Street

7

Moorfields

Tempest Hey

Hackins Hey

£

Exchange Street East

£

Tithebarn Street

19

nice 'n' naughty 85 Seel Street

20

nice 'n' naughty 16 Colquitt Street

Groups Being Out with Learning Difficulties (BOLD) c/o Armistead Centre, 0870 9908996, meets every other Monday.

Gay Youth ‘r’ OUT (GYRO) 36 Bolton St, 0151 203 0824, LGB Tyouth 13-25, gyro. org.uk

Please email any new or updated listing to: listings@lgf.org.uk

Queer Notions 0151 227 9977, provides information and support at the Armistead Project queernotions@hotmail.com

GAYLIVERPOOL.COM Website of Gay Liverpool, gayliverpool.com Liverpool Gay Quarter liverpoolgayquarter.com

ElLeSMerE PoRT GROUPS

Tea with Teela (TV/CD social) 0151 356 855, 7pm 3rd Monday of the month at Transpose, trans-pose.com utopia (Ellesmere Port) Whitby Rd, Ellesmere Port, 0151 348 5628, LGB youth meets every Tues 6.30-9, eport@utopialgb.org.uk

SoutHpOrT

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

AXM Southport Coronation Walk, axmgroup.co.uk/southport The Crown 20 Coronation Walk Velvet Gay Friendly Coronation Walk

CLINICs

Sexual Health Clinic Southport & Formby District General Hospital, 01704 513303

St HELens CLINICs

QUEST LGBT CATHOLICS 07983 021 589, 2nd Saturday of month, liverpool@questgaycatholic.org.uk

Sexual Health Clinic St Helens Hospital, Marshall Cross Rd, 01744 646 473, free & confidential sexual service, rapid HIV testing results in 30 mins. sthk.nhs.uk

SPIRIT LEVEL 0151 227 1893, Transgender support group.

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

Storm LGBT Christians Level 2, 96 Bold Street, 0151 547 3562, meets 1st Sun of the month 3pm storm@somewhere-else.org.uk Young Gay Sefton 0151 330 5841

Sports Groups Gay Kick Boxing Armistead Centre, Wednesday Evenings 7-8pm, info@armisteadcentre.co.uk GAY OUTDOOR GROUP 07855 197607, transpennine@hotmail.co.uk goc.org.uk

Flex II Tolver St, 01744 758 439

CLUB NIGHT

WORK Bridge Street, every Wednesday.

Pink Flamingo The Venue, 11-19 Westfield St. See facebook for details.

tHE wIrRaL

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

DV8 @ The Picture House 46 Conway Street, Birkenhead, 0151 647 8883, Wed 8pm till late, hello@thepicturehousewirral.co.uk Tallulah’s Late Lounge Rowson St/ Victoria Rd, New Brighton, 0774 7561587, Wed nights till late, marion@tallulas.co.uk

CLINICs

Sexual Health Clinic Arrowe Park Road, 0151 604 7339

SaUNas

Dolphin Sauna 129 Mount Road, New Brighton, 0151 630 1516, dolphinsauna.co.uk

UTOPIA (chester) 01244 602812, LGB youth group meets every Weds 7.30-9pm, chester@utopialgb.org.uk

MACcLeSfIelD

GROUPS

GROUPS

Parking Cash Machine Pedestrianised

11

9

Northwich Sauna Winnington Lane, 01606 784881, sauna-sauna.info Leeds.indd 1

RunCoRN CLINIC

Sexual Health Halton General Hospital, 01928 753217 The Canalside Bar & Restaurant 01928 580 669, 45-47 Canal Street.

Halton LGBT Group meets at: Halton Voluntary Action, Public Hall St, meets twice a month on a Wednesday night between 7pm and 9pm, haltonlgbt.co.uk

Blayd’s Mews

8

6

Swinegate

Bar Fibre Lower Briggate, 08701 200888 1

2 Blayde’s Bar 3-7 Blayde’s Yard, 0113 244 5590

Mission 8-13 Heaton’s Court, 08701 220114 3

Old Red Lion Meadow Lane, 0113 242 6779 4

Queen’s Court/Loft 166 Lower Briggate, 0113 245 9449 5

RELIGION 174 Lower Briggate, 0113 246 9898, religionleeds.co.uk 6

outrite 01270 653 156, social and support groups, counselling, condoms and lube by post, outrite.org

GROUPS

men’s Group 01270 653 156, outrite.org

CheStER

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS Bar 6T9 01244 313 608

Liverpool Arms Northgate Street, 01244 314 807

CLINICs

Sexual Health Clinic Chester Hospital, Liverpool Road, 01244 363 091

aGENCIES

LGBT Health Promotion 01244 650534 or 07747 631021, West Cheshire - help & support including LGBT health issues.

aGENCIES

1806 Group 11 Palmyra Square South, 01925 241994, initiative for sexual health.

SHOPS

10 Nice ‘n’ naughty 164 Briggate, 0113 242 6967, leeds@niceandnaughty.co.uk

SaUNaS 11 Basement Sauna

Gay Healthy Alliance Project PO Box 539, 01925 631101

7 Heaton’s Court, 0113 242 7730, basementcomplex.co.uk

GROUPS

THE STEAM COMPLEX SAUNA Eyres Av, 01132 798885, steamcomplex.com

Chester Uni Warrington Campus LGBT Society search facebook

CLINIC & agENCIES

Gay & Lesbian Youth Support Services (GLYSS) 07747 473 829, every Wed/Thurs 6.30-9.30pm and alternate Sat. glyss@hotmail.co.uk freewebs.com/glyss

The Centre for Sexual Health Sunnybank Wing, Great George Street, appointments: 0113 392 6724/0113 392 6725, health advisors: 0113 392 6057

FLUID (Freedon to Love Ur IDentity) 07747 473 829

YORKSHIRE MESMAC mesmac.co.uk

Please note all listings information is provided by third parties. The LGF can accept no responsibility for the quality of the services/groups listed

OLGA 07929 465 044, Older Lesbian, Gay, Bixexual and Trans Association, olga@mypostoffice.co.uk

StaFfOrdSHIRE 12/5/09 12:21:30

PUBS, CLUBS & BarS Fierce 3 Goodson St, Hanley.

The Pink Lounge Piccadilly, Hanley, pinkloungebarandclub.com The Factory 67 Bryan St, Stoke, thefactorystoke.co.uk The Polari Lounge 52 Piccadilly, Hanley, 01782 212200, gaystoke.com

SaUNas

CLINIC & agENCIES

9 VIADUCT 11 Lower Briggate, 0113 245 4863

BP Cheshire & North Wales PO Box 321, 01270 653 150

GROUPS

Inferno 14 Garth St, Hanley, heatsauna.com/stoke-on-trent

CLINIC

aGENCIES

BACCHUS 7a Ramshill Road, lesbian and gay club, diverse crowd, bacchus-scarborough.co.uk

The New Penny 57-59 Call Lane, 0113 243 8055 7

Sexual Health Clinic Leighton Hospital, Middlewich Rd, 01270 612255

Sexual Health Clinic Lovely Lane, 01925 662476

8

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

8 The Bridge 1-5 Bridge End, 0113 244 4734

White Hart Sankey Street, 01925 241994

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

1 7

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

WARringToN

SCaRBoROuGh

The Calls

Cheshire CRewE CLINICs

Inn on the Bridge Gay Owned & Run 1-5 Market St, 01422 844 229, inn_on_the_bridge@live.co.uk

Parr St.

SaUNaS

GROUPS

3

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

10 5 1

Briggate

UTOPIA 01606 350 750, LGB youth group meets every Weds 6.45-9.15pm, northwich@utopialgb.org.uk

WORK IT OUT Wirral Brook, 14 Whetstone Ln, Birkenhead, 0151 670 0177, group for 14-18 year olds, info@wirralbrook.org.uk outreach@wirralbrook.org.uk

HeBDEn BrIdgE

Heaton’s Court (back) Blayd’s Yard

GROUPS

EaTERIES

HUGG Social group for gay & bi men, 18+,every Tuesday from 8pm. hugg.org.uk

£

Heaton’s Court (front)

NOrtHWicH

WIRRAL TRANSISTERs 07833 385126, support/ social group for TV/CD/TS, 1stTues of the month, mazykate@toucansurf.com

GROUPS

NELSONS WINE BAR Crown St, 01422 844 782

Gay Wirral 0151 666 9890, Terrence Higgins Trust, 5 Bridge St, for all Wirral’s LGBT Community, contact for details, gaywirral@hotmail.co.uk

WIRRAL DIVAS 0151 666 9890, weekly lesbian and bisexual women’s group.

£

Sexual Health Clinic Macclesfield District General Hospital, Victoria Road, 01625 264116 OUTRITE groups 01270 653156, support and social groups, outrite.org

TransWirral 90-92 Chester St, 07833 385126, for TS/Intersex, transwirral.btik.com

88 Listing Indicator

CLINICs

Freedom Trans Youth Foundation, freedom@freedom.zzn.com freedom.btik.com

Tea Time Special 0151 666 9890, Terrence Higgins Trust, 5 Bridge St, Fri 4.30-6.30pm, safe space for LGBT, info.wirral@tht.org.uk

The New Union 3 Union Bank Yard, New Street, 01484 535435

LEeDs

Briggate

Terrence Higgins Trust 5 Bridge Street, Birkenhead, 0151 666 9890, Sexual health info& LGBT affirmative counselling, info.wirral@tht.org.uk tht.org.uk

Yorkshire Gascoigne St.

aGENCIES

unique tg support group N. Wales & West Cheshire meets 3rd Tues of the Month, 8pm, elen@uniquetg.org.uk uniquetg.org.uk

HUDdERsFiEld

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

THE GREYHOUND Manchester Road, 01484 420 742

Gaylife North Staffordshire 0300 1230970

GROUPS

LGBT Network 01782 266998, charity providing support, advice for all LGBT & social groups, gaystoke.com Panthers LGBT Badminton/Squash 01782 266998, meeting weekly in Stoke South Staffs MES MEN Project 01543 411413, PO Box 3919, Lichfield, Married Men’s group, TV/TS group and social groups.

SPACE 01543 419002, LGBT Youth Group (16-21), youth@mesmen.co.uk Staffordshire Buddies PO Box 474, Stoke on Trent, 01782 201251

IsLe oF MaN HOTELS

DEVONIAN HOTEL Gay Friendly 4 Sherwood Terrace, Douglas, 01624 674676, thedevonian.co.uk

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

Guys & Dolls Showbar Gay Friendly Peverill Sq, Douglas,

GROUPS

CHESTER lgbt BOOK GROUP 07818 021 947, 2nd Monday of the month at 7.30pm at the Bear & Billet pub, Lower Bridge Street, alispad@aol.com Dinin’ Divas womens dining group dinindivas@yahoo.com Encompass 07790904718, 07833114752, 01745337144, LGBT social & info group for Chester & N. Wales, encompass.btik.com Mersey & Dee Women Social group, madw@merseymail.com Sole Sisters Penny: 07917 533104 or Sandra: 07921 222101, womens walking group.

WE’RE HERE IF YOU NEED US!

Reg. Charity No. 1070904

08453303030 www.lgf.org.uk