Outnorthwest issue 110

FOR OVER 16’s ONLY!

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

Published by

Ending Homophobia,

Empowering People

www.lgf.org.uk

OUTNORTHWEST ISSUE 110 JUN-JUL 2012 FREE!

Registered Charity No.1070904

THE BINGHAM CUP • MANCHESTER 2012

REMEMBERING

MARK BINGHAM ALICE HOAGLAND ON HER SON’S PROUD LEGACY

WE TALK TO U.S. AND U.K. BINGHAM CUP PLAYERS

PLUS! CELEBRATING ALAN TURING’S CENTENARY

OUTNORTHWEST EDITOR’S LETTER JUNE-JULY 2012

MARK BINGHAM A Modern Gay Hero

Welcome to this special Bingham Cup edition of ONW. For those of you who don’t know, The Bingham Cup is the gay rugby world cup, and it’s coming to Manchester in June.

Over 1000 players, friends and supporters will descend into Manchester for this international event taking place at Broughton Park. There are teams flying in from all over the world, and it’s sure to be a spectacular weekend. In this edition of ONW, we talk to some of the guys who’ll be taking part both from Manchester and the United States.

Whether you’re a sports fanatic or not, the story of Mark Bingham (who The Bingham Cup is named in honour of) is one that we all need to be aware of.

Mark died in the tragic events of 9/11.

He was one of the passengers who stormed the cockpit of Flight 93, and averted an even greater disaster. We’re extremely honoured to have spoken with Mark’s mother Alice Hoagland for this edition. It’s one of the most powerful, and heart-warming interviews

we’ve ever published and I urge you all to read the remarkable story of Mark and Alice, starting on page 28.

This issue of ONW also features our Reader Survey for 2012. We’re keen to know what you think of ONW, and how you’d like to see it develop. There’s a £100 shopping voucher (of your choice) up for grabs, so please take a few minutes to fill out the form and send it back to us. It’s even a FREEPOST address.

You can also fill out the survey online at www.lgf.org.uk/onwsurvey.

Also included with this edition of ONW is a leaflet from the health and social care regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). CQC wants to empower more people to know what standards of care they have a right to expect which is something we’re happy to put our support behind. Check out the article on page 12.

We’ll be back at the beginning of August with our Manchester Pride special issue.

Yes, it’s THAT close...

“Whenever and wherever you receive care you have a right to be protected from the risk of abuse and neglect, respected and involved in decisions - and for care to meet your individual needs. We want more people to know about the standards they should expect from their care - and to tell us about their experiences, good and bad.”

Cynthia Bower Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission See the insert in this issue, and turn to page 12 for more

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

EDITORIAL TEAM EDITOR & LAYOUT Grahame Robertson LAYOUT Mark Eastwood NEWS EDITOR Andrew Gilliver FEATURES EDITOR Sarah McNally (welcome aboard!)

MEN’S HEALTH EDITOR Peter Boyle WEB EDITOR Marc Robinson LISTINGS EDITOR Mark Eastwood DISTRIBUTION Shaun Lloyd CONTRIBUTORS Lucy Rolfe; Samantha Days; Jake Arturio Braden; Gaydio; Peter Boyle; Frankie Stevens; Adam Winter; Martin Cooper; Rachel Kirkman; Patrick Etennes; Chris Fisher; Carly Lyes.

SPECIAL THANKS Alice Hoagland; Paul Wheeler; The Bingham Cup; The Village Spartans; John Lee; Matt Whitelely; Richard Harrop; Alex Aguilar; Alan Edwards; Manchester Pride; Ben Squance; Andrea Murray .

ADVERTISING For information on advertising in outnorthwest, contact us on 0845 3 30 3 0 30.

Or e-mail grahame.robertson@lgf.org.uk

IF YOU DO ONE THING THIS WEEK END HOMOPHOBIA AT YOUR OLD SCHOOL!

Were you bullied and teased at school because you were lesbian, gay or bisexual? Imagine you could go back to your old school and make it safer for those young people who are suffering the same today. 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.

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

f.org.u www.lg

INSIDE OUT REGULARS 06 ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Vote for the next Enough Is Enough video ad!

08 NEWS & OPINION We celebrate the centenary of Alan Turing, list all the Pride events in the North West, your Flying The Flag pics, and the latest from Manchester Pride!

16 VILLAGE PEOPLE The LGF Village Angels are here to help!

28

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

ALICE HOAGLAND

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

FEATURES

26

THE BINGHAM CUP

26 THE BINGHAM CUP 1200 burly rugby players, and their friends and supporters are about to hit Manchester!

28 ALICE HOAGLAND We talk to the Alice Hoagland, the mother of 9/11 hero, and inspiration for The Bingham Cup, Mark Bingham..

AND MORE!

20 HEAD TO HEAD The positive and negative opinion page.

24

21 READERS SURVEY 2012 Tell us what you think of ONW, and win £100. What could be easier?

ANDREA MURRAY

24 OUTSPOKEN! This issue: Andrea Murray.

06

32 THE INVISIBLE AGE A brand new service for LGB people over 60 is about to open its doors.

34 SAY CHEESE! How important are sexy images in sexual health campaigns?

36 FANCY A QUICKIE? A brand new safer sex web show.

Homophobia ACTION against

DID YOUR FAVE VIDEO WIN?

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.

11

MANCHESTER PRIDE

Homophobia ACTION against

www.lgf.org.uk/enough

TAKING ACTION HOW YOU ARE TAKING ACTION AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA

Chief Executive of The LGF Paul Martin OBE, with Juno (Director of ‘Apple Pie’) and Rachel (Director of ‘Scars’)

AND THE

WINNER IS...

You’ve been voting in your hundreds, and now we can reveal your winner!

To commemorate the third year of Enough Is Enough, first year media students from The Manchester College have produced short video adverts to promote the campaign and supporters have been voting for their favourite.

The ads received over 10,000 views on The LGF’s YouTube channel during a public vote to choose the two that will be used to showcase the campaign over the next year.

The winning adverts are: APPLE PIE A pastiche on the social stereotypes of the 1950s, Apple Pie shows a family where the children are told by mum and dad that they must eat all their

greens to avoid turning into a homosexual.

Juno who directed and features in the video commented on the making of the video: “When I first got the project I was very excited. I was aware of homophobia as I have friends who have been victims. I wanted to target parents rather than young people. I was very pleased with the work we had done.”

SCARS Using a simple time-lapse film technique this short ad is a visual representation of verbal abuse which demonstrates how words can hurt. We see a close up of a young man’s face gradually becoming covered with homophobic remarks as homophobic insults are thrown at him in a barrage of abuse. The words may stop but the scars remain visible until they cover his entire body. One comment on PinkNews. co.uk said the Scars advert was ‘simple,

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clear and powerful, and is a winner for me’.

Other comments about all the adverts included the following “They’re well made, portray a strong, solid message and hit the nail on the head without having possibility to be made fun of.’

The Manchester College have delivered some fantastic work and if it wasn’t for the public vote we would not have been able to select just two adverts to promote the Enough is Enough! campaign over the coming year. Don’t forget to look out for us during the Pride season this year. We’d like to thank EVERYONE who has joined the movement to take action.

You can still sign up to the campaign at www.lgf.org.uk/enough or www.facebook.com/LGFEIE

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

BRAND NEW COLUMN!

THE STORY SO FAR As the Enough is Enough campaign enters its third year on May 17th 2012 we wanted to share some fantastic statistics with you.

• 1.5 million people have been reached by the campaign so far • 20,000 Enough is Enough ambassadors are taking action against homophobia The Enough is Enough! campaign was launched on IDAHO 2010 and aims to encourage people to take action to tackle homophobia. Supported by celebrities including Sir Ian McKellen and Anthony Cotton the campaign has enjoyed nationwide exposure and is the most successful campaign the Lesbian & Gay Foundation has run in terms of national significance and engagement. We would like to thank you for being part of it.

500+ Safer Schools Packs have been delivered to help tackle homophobia across all parts of the UK As part of the campaign in the last year thanks to your support Safer Schools Packs have been given out to schools across the UK aiming to tackle homophobia in schools. www.lgf.org.uk/schoolspack The campaign continues over the coming year and we look forward to seeing you over the Summer Pride season.

We’d like to thank EVERYONE who has joined the movement to take action.

Special thanks to The Paterson Family and the friends and family of Dominic, Roger and Paola Crouch without whom this campaign would not have reached those that it did in the last two years.

www.lgf.org.uk/enough

FRANKIE

SAYS Whether you love or loathe her it’ll be nigh on impossible to escape the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the mass of Union Jack themed stationary and bunting that will adorn tables, paper plates, windows and anything (or anyone) you can hang it on.

In some respects Pride festivals are very much like Jubilee celebrations; the sense of pride in the occasion, the large group of people coming together for a common cause, the never ending queues for the toilets and the fact they’re both full of queens! However an often over looked feature of Manchester Pride is the fringe festival that takes place during the week leading up to the ‘Big Weekend’. The fringe festival provides an excellent remedy for those who are looking for an alternative way to get involved with Manchester Pride and learn a bit more about its origins.

This year the fringe festival will be taking place from 17th to 23rd August and will host a series of comedy, art, music, historic and political events.

The LGF will be hosting their very own event called ‘Women’s Pride’ celebrating the significant contribution women have made within the history of the Pride Movement, with a chance to discuss the future role of LB women within the LGB&T Rights Movement, led by a panel of influential women. As part of this The LGF would like to know your suggestions and nominations for women who you think have played a significant role within LGB&T history; if you would like to get involved please send your nominations to my email address listed below, it would be great to hear from you. ‘Women’s Pride’ will take place at The LGF’s Community Resource Centre on Tuesday 21st August, 6pm-9pm.

A very fine example of a woman making a positive contribution to the cause is Caroline Wilson, who started ‘The Well Connected Lesbian’ project late last year. For those of you who haven’t heard of the project, it is well worth getting involved in. Through the project Caroline aims to challenge the lack of visibility of lesbian women within mainstream society and the negative connotations the word ‘lesbian’ holds for some people. The website is full is interesting articles, anecdotes and interviews with some very inspiring women from around the UK, all of which fully deserve a nomination for being influential LB women. So, if you’re interested you can have a look at the great work the project is doing by logging onto thewellconnectedlesbian.com.

Finally I wanted to end my column with Alan Turing, as 23rd June marks the centenary of his birth, with events taking place around the world celebrating his incredible work and his lasting influence on science and technology. I hope it is a given a united sense of sadness is felt when remembering how Turing was treated towards the end of his life, and Lord McNally’s decision to reject a motion earlier this year to pardon Turing of his ‘gross-indecency’ conviction is hugely disappointing. But rather than waste time harbouring resentment we should all celebrate Turing, and in May the Museum of Science and Industry will be inviting members of the public to plant sunflowers in Turing’s honour.

We should all count ourselves very fortunate we don’t have to endure the ordeal Turing went through, but we shouldn’t be complacent. In Turing’s own words, we should all remember this: ‘We can only see a short distance ahead, but we can see plenty there that needs to be done’.

Frankie Stevens frankie.stevens@lgf.org.uk www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 07

AGENDA

IN DEPTH NEWS, COMMENT AND ANALYSIS

ALAN TURING FILM PREMIERES IN MANCHESTER

JUNE-JULY 2012

ALAN TURING CENTENARY

A new film depicting the life of Alan Turing will have premier next month at Manchester’s Cornerhouse cinema as part of the Abandon Normal Devices festival.

The Creator explores the legendary life of the visionary scientist and blends fact with fantastical speculation in the re-telling of the day when Turing ended his life. The film touches upon the myth of Snow White and Turing’s doomed encounter with his lover Arnold Murray which took place only yards from the current Cornerhouse site on Oxford Road in Manchester.

Filmmakers Al & Al say “His story is really better than any Hollywood movie, and, because of homophobia, it was forbidden to be made for the longest time. We have really been drawn to his story for a long time and were waiting for the perfect moment to do something.

So when Cornerhouse and Abandon Normal Devices Festival commissioned The Creator and told us the premiere would be on Turing’s 100th birthday, we knew that moment had arrived.”

The experimental film is a far cry from the dry, sanitised interpretations of a man once shunned but now revered as a master of modern mathematics. It also portrays Turing’s experimentation with Jungian psychoanalysis and the nature of human physicality versus artificial consciousness.

The screening of the film will be followed by a Q&A with the artists hosted by Visual Art Programme Manager and producer, Bren O’Callaghan.

The Creator will have its UK premiere at the preview weekend of Abandon Normal Devices Festival on 23 June at Cornerhouse in Manchester

ALAN TURING CELEBRATING THE 100th BIRTHDAY OF A REAL HOMO HERO

June the 23rd marks the 100th birthday of the founder of computer science, mathematician, philosopher, code breaker, and a gay man before his time Alan Turing.

A life-size memorial statue of him stands in Sackville Park in Manchester to mark the significance his life had upon British history.

During his colourful yet short-lived life, London born Alan attended the University of Cambridge, where he developed the proof which states that automatic computation cannot solve all mathematical problems.

This concept, also known as the Turing Machine, is considered the basis for the modern theory of computation. An endless list of further achievements such as the breaking of the German Enigma Code has retrospectively earned Alan the recognition for his contribution to humankind that he so rightly deserves.

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On the 7th June 1954 Alan Turing took his own life. Many believe this act to be a result of serious homophobia towards his sexuality and lifestyle choices. Such serious behaviour saw him very publically suffer a form of male castration. In 1952, Turing was arrested and tried for homosexuality, then a criminal offence. To avoid prison, he accepted injections of oestrogen for a year, which were intended to neutralise his libido.

In that era, homosexuals were considered a security risk as they were open to blackmail.

Turing’s security clearance was withdrawn, meaning he could no longer work for GCHQ, the post-war successor to Bletchley Park.

On 10 September 2009, following an Internet campaign, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown made an official public apology on behalf of the British government for the way in which Turing was treated after the war. He said: “It is no exaggeration to say that, without his outstanding contribution, the history of the Second World

AGENDA JUNE-JULY 2012 CONTACT US: outnorthwest, The Lesbian & Gay Foundation, Number 5, Richmond Street, Manchester M1 3HF EMAIL: andrew.gilliver@lgf.org.uk TWITTER: @lgfoundation CALL: 0845 3 30 30 30

Text: Rachel Kirkman Interview: Grahame Robertson

been doing there. And he said he took him home and fed him and they spent the night together. So it became not a burglary case to the police. And that was the way it went, that’s how he got caught. He pleaded guilty in court and he said, ‘well I’m only doing what’s natural. It shouldn’t be a crime to do what you want with someone who wants to do the same thing in privacy.’ He was offered a choice. Either prison or hormone treatment.

Alan continues, “Now the hormone treatment wasn’t the worst one around but it did cut off all sorts of wanting any sex of any sort. And in the case of Alan he started to grow breasts, which was terrible for his self-esteem. Not only that, our friends over the Atlantic were still paranoid. They insisted that Turing ought to have his credentials taken away, and they would not accept him as a member of any British delegation to anything that was secret or the works they were doing towards the reds and that sort of thing.

Featuring an interview with Alan Edwards.

War could have been very different. He truly was one of those individuals we can point to whose unique contribution helped to turn the tide of war. The debt of gratitude he is owed makes it all the more horrifying, therefore, that he was treated so inhumanely.”

familiar. I thought, ‘There’s that marathon runner Turing’. Now I had no idea what he did as a day job. All I knew was he was an runner, and I’d seen him in Athletics Weekly regularly.”

Turing is widely considered to be the father of computer science and artificial intelligence and this year’s Manchester Pride Parade theme ‘Queer’d Science’ is based upon Alan Turing and his life achievements.

Both Edwards’ and Turings’ paths crossed frequently after that initial meeting. Alan tells us, “I’d occasionally see him, but he didn’t drink. Well I say he didn’t drink, he didn’t go into places like the Union bar. He was more likely to be found having a cup of coffee.”

ONW recently spoke to 81 year old exNaval servicemen Alan Edwards. Edwards knew Alan Turning and here, he recalls his first meeting with the genius. “I met him on a Friday evening in February1950 for the first time at the ‘happy hunting ground’ on Oxford Road. By the bridge. It’s the most photographed bridge in Manchester, and had the most notorious cottage underneath it. I was sat there and this smartly dressed person, was there. I thought his face looked

Edwards also shares his memories of the final years of Alan Turing’s life. He tells us, “Alan, got clobbered because he reported a burglary. He’d met this guy Arnold in the happy hunting ground. He was a 19 year old lad. A friend of mine said he had a feeling Arnold had something to do with it. He may have told a friend of his that he was going to this ‘posh fellas house’. Alan reported it to the police and the police found the culprit. They asked what Arnold had

“So that was one chunk of his life gone.

That he could no longer do. And then he fortunately discovered that Scandinavia was a good place to go. Quite close. He used to go on holidays there and it was very open minded. So, he went there for some time.”

Things didn’t go well for Alan though, and his trips abroad were soon curtailed. Alan tells ONW, “We assume Alan took his own life, it has never actually been proven whether it was an accident or whether he did it. I’m certain in my own mind that he meant what he did. But he was planning a trip to go to Scandinavia in that Summer and the word got to him that wherever he tried to go he’d be stopped.

They took his passport from him. It was such a big loss of freedom. I know how I’d have felt if I’d have been in the same boat. “ Alan Edwards frequently visits the statue of Alan Turing in Sackville Gardens and even has occasional conversations with the statue. He says, “Everyone said that statue in Sackville Gardens doesn’t do him justice.

Or isn’t accurate. It makes him look so small.

But it does look like him in later life, not long before he died.” www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 09

AGENDA

There are so many fabulous Pride events happening around the region over the Summer. To make sure you can get to all of the ones that you want to here are the details we have at the moment.

Make sure you check listings information for latest updates!

Blackpool Blackpool Pride’s main event will be held on the North Pier on Saturday the 9th of June from 12 noon. Acts confirmed for the Event include Blue and Toyah. Wristband prices range from £10 to Limited Gold Wristbands at £35. For more info visit: www.prideblackpool.com

Huddersfield Huddersfield Pink Picnic will be held on Sunday 22nd July at Greenhead Park.

The event will be hosted by the infamous ‘Markymark’. For further info you can follow them on Twitter at @ ThePinkPicnic or visit www.huddersfieldpinkpicnic.com

Oldham Oldham Pride 2012: The OWLympics, Saturday 28th July. There will be an OWLympic torch parade from Oldham Town Centre (assemble 11.45am) to Gallery Oldham. The main event will take place from 12.30pm till 4pm with Oldham Pride favourites, ABBAfusion and Cavali Jay. For further information email oldhamlgbtforum@oldham.gov.uk

PRIDE IN THE

NORTH WEST! it’s officially pride season! and no matter where you are in the north west, there’s an event near you.

Salford The annual Peel Park Pink Picnic! 29th July 2012 12pm – 6pm in association with Out IN Salford and Salix Homes in the grounds of the University of Salford. This family event is open to all with live entertainment, music, sports and games. For further details visit: www.outinsalford.org.uk

Liverpool Liverpool Pride is a FREE event which takes place on Saturday 4 August 2012 at Pier Head, Liverpool, in Merseyside. This year’s theme will be ‘All aboard, Nautical, Nautical but Nice’! For more info visit www.liverpoolpride.co.uk/

Preston Dates have been confirmed as the 29th of September for this year’s Preston Pride.

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Headlining the event will be singer Kelly Lorena.

Cumbria This year’s pride will be held on Saturday the 29th of September at the Swallow Hilltop Hotel Carlisle. Acts yet to be announced.

Warrington Warrington Pride will take place on the 29th of September. For more info visit http:// www.warringtonpride.co.uk/

Chester Chester Pride will be held at Chester University Student’s Union CH1 on October 1st from 12pm to 6pm, open to all. For further details email chesterpride@gmail.com or find Chester Pride on Facebook.

MANCHESTER PRIDE

WANTS YOU! MANCHESTER PRIDE IS HITTING THE ROAD TO ASK THE COMMUNITY THEIR OPINIONS. AND MARGARITA PRACATAN IS BACK!

As we look ahead to this year’s Manchester Pride, we find out a little more about what the organisers have in store.

“Visitors are invited to join us at these events to find out more about the charity and our work and is an ideal opportunity to offer feedback and recommendations as the organisation moves forward.”

This year, the charity will be running a series of community engagement events, as part of their roadshow. They will be visiting various boroughs of Greater Manchester, including Trafford and Bury.

The first session has taken place in Bury, with a further session announced in Trafford, with more to follow. You can visit the Manchester Pride Roadshow on the 24th May, 4.00pm, Sale Waterside Arts Centre, Sale Town Centre

John Stewart, Chief Executive for Manchester Pride, tells us a little more. “As the organisation has seen some major changes in the past 12 months, we are keen to engage further with the community and find out how we can further reach audiences across Greater Manchester, how we can move forward and develop our work outside of the festival period”

frozen for this year, starting at £12.50 for day tickets and £15.00 for a full weekend ticket. The early bird weekend tickets are available until 08 July 2012 and has been extended to coincide with WorldPride in London.

To find out more about further planned events visit manchesterpride. com/roadshow

Organisers are promising another fantastic landmark event, with lots of things planned.

Pride Fringe (17-23 August) is set to expand this year and one of the headline events has been announced: Stranger in the Night, with Cuban chanteuse Margarita Pracatan.

Details are to be announced shortly. The full Pride Fringe programme will be launched at a special event on 21 June 2012.

Tickets are on sale for the Big Weekend and can be purchased from manchesterpride.com or by calling 0871 230 3450. As reported in our last edition, ticket prices have been

Find out more about Manchester Pride www.manchesterpride.com, or follow the organisation on Twitter @manchesterpride www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 11

AGENDA JUNE-JULY 2012 OTHER NEWS

HOMO HEROES 2012

NATIONAL DIVERSITY AWARDS

The National Diversity Awards will be held at the Midland Hotel, Manchester on 21st September 2012. There are several award categories including positive role model, community organisation and entrepreneurial of excellence awards which will be split into five categories including race, age, disability, gender and LGBT. Other awards include Diverse Company Award and Lifetime Achievers Award.

Take a look at the full list of categories and nominate: www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk

CIVIL MARRIAGE CONSULATION

Civil Marriage Consultation The Lesbian & Gay Foundation, Lancashire LGBT Centre and Government Equalities Office are holding a consultation event on the Equal Civil Marriage Consultation at The Urban Exchange, Mount Street, Preston PR1 8BQ at 7pmon Tuesday 29th May. Refreshments will be provided. For more information contact Adam Winter on adam.winter@lgf.org. uk or call 08453 30 30 30. To book: www.equalcivilmarriage.eventbrite. com. To take part in the government’s consultation visit: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ equal-civil-marriage

UK’s FIRST ‘RELIGIOUS’ CIVIL PARTNERS

A Liverpool couple have become the first in the UK to take advantage of legislation to allow religious buildings to host civil partnership ceremonies which became law in December 2011 following public consultation. Kieran Bohan, 41, and Warren Hartley, 36, from Princes Park registered their civil partnership at Ullet Road Unitarian Church on Sunday 6th May. The first church to become licensed to conduct civil partnerships was Cross Street Unitarian Chapel, Manchester in March, which has a couple booked in the Autumn.

HOMO HEROES The Lesbian and Gay Foundation’s Homo Hero Awards 2012 will be soon be open for nominations.

The Awards are designed to showcase the contributions made by individuals, groups and organisations for, and on behalf of the lesbian, gay and bisexual community. There are a total of seven categories in which you can

put forward your nominations for any person, group or organisation that you believe have made a difference to the lives of lesbian, gay and bisexual people. The nomination period will be from 15 June 2012 -31 July 2012. The top three nominees for each award category will be put forward for a public vote and the winners will then be announced at a special ceremony on Thursday 20 September 2012. www.lgf.org.uk

MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT! Health and Social Care regulator wants to hear from LGB&T people Whenever and wherever you receive care it should meet the government standards of quality and safety required by law, whoever you are.

As the health and social care regulator it is the Care Quality Commission’s job to register and inspect services to check they are meeting those standards. The CQC wants people, including readers of ONW, to know what they should be able to expect from health and social care - and to report any concerns about poor care to the regulator direct.

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CQC makes annual unannounced inspections of hospitals, care homes and agencies that provide care in the home - but can also inspect at any time in response to concerns.

Included with this edition of ONW is a short leaflet with more information about the government standards and a freepost feedback form which you can complete if you want to share your concerns, or details of a good experience of care, with CQC. For further information please visit www.cqc.org.uk

FIGHTING THE BULLIES Manchester & Salford Young People fight Homophobic Bullying in Schools For over 5 years Manchester’s award winning Exceeding Expectations initiative has been ending homophobia through education by attending schools across the city.

The project offers staff training, teacher’s resources, lesson plans, anti-bullying policy development support, information resources, young people’s peer support groups, school evaluation reports and much more. To mark IDAHO on 17th May, the project was on the road as part of the partnership which involves Manchester City Council, Manchester Healthy Schools, Hope Theatre Company, Manchester Community Health, the Lesbian & Gay Foundation and Salford thanks to funding from Salford City Council. As part of the Exceeding Expectations programme, the play ‘OUTLOUD’, a specially commissioned piece of verbatim theatre produced by Hope Theatre Company voices the words of local young people on homophobia and Adam Zane, founder of Hope Theatre Company says: “The response has been fantastic. We have had gay, lesbian and bisexual students helping us in the workshops, talking about their experiences of coming out. It can be incredibly empowering for them - to be able to talk honestly about homophobia and their experiences in school.”

To find out more please go to: www.exceedingexpectations.org.uk

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WHY NOT SIGN UP TO AN LGF CHARITY CHALLENGE? “As I approached mile 19, a random stranger began running alongside me and said; “Just remember that the thousands of people behind you can all read the message on the back of your running vest (referring to ‘I’m running against homophobia’).

My son came out 2 months ago and I’m so proud of him. And I’m proud of you.” Martin Cooper On the 22nd April, a team of four LGF Charity Challengers ran against homophobia in the world-famous London Marathon. Including Gift Aid, over £8,000 was raised; a muchneeded contribution to the continuation of

Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual GP Patient Experience Survey The LGF have launched the LGB GP Patient Experience Survey to find out about lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) patients experiences of their GPS. It only takes 5 minutes to complete, but the answers you give will be used to sustain and improve GP services for LGB people across the country. It is vitally important that as LGB people we stand up for our needs and experiences, and have them acknowledged by all healthcare professionals, including GPs. To complete the survey please visit: www.lgf.org.uk/gpexperiences

vital LGF services. Martin Cooper completed the run in an impressive time of 4hr 37min 07seconds. By the time you read this, Martin will have also taken part in the Manchester BUPA 10k (20th May) just like John Finn who told ONW; “I’m running the BUPA Manchester 10k as it was a great goal to help me stay fit. My position on the LGF board of trustees has made me realise how the charity really needs the support of the public and how big a difference the money can make - especially in these times of financial hardship.”

Later this year, more of our Charity Challengers will be saying No! to homophobia by completing the Yorkshire 3 Peaks, and a zip slide across Salford Quays.

To be part of LGF’s ever-growing team e-mail: claire.taylor@lgf.org.uk

LGB&T Fire & Police Support Surgeries Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service are running a brand new surgery to complement the existing GMP surgery which will run every Thursday at the LGF’s Community Resource Centre (Number 5 Richmond Street, Manchester M1 3HF) between 6-8pm.

There is no need to book an appointment, you can just drop in and talk to one of the colleagues from the fire or police service about any issue you think they can help with.

For further information call 0845 3 303030 or e-mail samantha.days@lgf.org.uk 13 www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 11

FLYING THE FLAG 2012

AGENDA NHS Tees, Middlesbrough via Twitter @NHSTees

HUNDREDS OF YOU SENT YOUR RAINBOW FLAG PICS TO US DURING IDAHO ON 17TH MAY. FOR MORE VISIT www.lgf.org.uk/flag Rainbow Trike Tours, North Wales via Twitter @RainbowTrikes

Baam e-Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Sabre, Ashton-under-Lyne

Market Street, Manchester

Wirral Council, Wallasey Town Hall, Wirral

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

YOUNG PEOPLE

BODY PRIDE

THE ART OF FEELING GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF DO YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE WHEN YOU LOOK IN THE MIRROR? CARLY LYES LOOKS AT WAYS WE CAN FEEL BETTER ABOUT OUR BODIES.

“I hate being so scrawny, I wish I was one of those perfect muscular guys.” “If I was slimmer life would be so much better.”

“Every time I look in the mirror I see my huge bum/frizzy hair/ bad skin looking back and think, I look terrible.”

Sound familiar? So many of us are constantly putting ourselves down, judging ourselves, comparing ourselves to others and making ourselves feel bad just because of how we look. We convince ourselves our lives would be better, we’d be more popular or we’d find that true love if only we could change those “physical flaws” that hold us back.

Why do we do it?

Negative body image is an issue that affects many young people, with 1 in 3 young gay men admitting to having problems with

the way they feel about their body. It is an issue which affects all genders and all ages but for young people whose bodies have recently gone through rapid changes and are generally more self conscious and place more importance on how they look the problem is often much greater.

Feeling bad about our bodies is often very little to do with our bodies themselves – it’s all about how we relate to them. Low self image and low confidence come about through being made to think we’re worthless and inadequate, from experiences of bullying, discrimination, past relationships, and others telling us we’re not good enough, and this can make us look at our bodies more critically.

If the way you think about your body tends to be on the negative side, there are many ways to change that and improve your relationship with yourself. We can’t all afford expensive spas but pampering yourself by

relaxing in a hot bath, treating yourself to a nice body lotion, giving yourself a home pedicure, or getting together with friends to give each other a massage are ways to treat your body on a daily basis. Eating well keeps your body feeling in top shape and exercise can make you more comfortable with your body and show you how amazing it is. Dancing is a great way to have fun and improve your body confidence – salsa, street dance, belly dancing, or just letting loose on the dancefloor, everyone of all ages can find a way to shake it!

Team sports like football, rugby are loads of fun and activities such as walking, running, swimming, cycling and martial arts can make you amazed at what that body of yours can achieve as well as helping you meet new people Check out the listings at the back of ONW for details of groups and teams in your area . www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 15

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

ANGEL DELIGHT Have you bumped into an Angel on Canal Street yet? MARTIN COOPER updated ONW with the latest from the Village Angels, and the launch of a Village safety guide.

The more eagle eye amongst you will have noticed, as you leap from bar to bar in Manchester’s Gay Village like an urban Tarzan, that there are a couple of groups of very handsome, pink tabard clad people patrolling the streets.

You may also be wondering who they are and what exactly they are doing!

Well, allow me to explain!

These are the Village Angels and they are there to offer you information, advice and, if it calls for it, an impromptu dance routine – although I wouldn’t guarantee the latter. If you don’t frequent the village very often and aren’t sure of what’s where, you can ask them for a handy

little map which shows you where the bars and services are. Or if you just want to know where the nearest taxi rank, cash machine or bus stop is, they will be happy to help with that too.

The Village Angels also offer loads of handy hints and tips as to how you can stay safe while you’re out and about in the village. It’s important to remember that even though the village is a really friendly, welcoming and open place for you and your friends to have a blast, it’s still a community environment and crime can still happen. It’s really important to stay aware of your surroundings and follow your instincts.

It’s the little things that can make the difference… make sure you know how

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you’re getting home after your night out, make sure you have the right bus or taxi fares (don’t spend it on sambuca!) and if you’re going out with your mates, stay out with your mates and go home with your mates! That’s what mates are for.

So, if you see the Village Angels while you’re out, make sure you say hi! We’ll usually be saying hello to everyone who wanders past anyway. We’re not being weird - Just friendly!! So flash us a smile… you can guarantee we’ll be smiling right back at you! See you very soon!

To find out more, contact Martin Cooper at The Lesbian & Gay Foundation. Call 0845 3 30 30 30, or e-mail martin.cooper@lgf. org.uk

KEEPING SAFE IN THE VILLAGE

SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION

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Gaydio’s JOHN RYAN on the power of the old school.

The power of music to put you in a time and a place you remember is incredible.

I just have to hear the first shrill cry of Andy Bell in the introduction to ‘Sometimes’ and I know where I am.

Steerforth Street, Earlsfield. A Friday night, just after 9.25 in early 1987.

Snow is falling. Rockcliffe’s Babies is on BBC1 and I’m feeling sorry for myself. Just turned eighteen and being screwed around by the guy I’m seeing.

Then a ring at the doorbell. And there he is. (The guy, not Andy Bell.). Little Caesar’s Pizza in one hand and a bottle of red in the other. A stupid grin and a sorry. And a top night ahead.

The LGF has just published a Village Safety Guide.

Last month saw The Lesbian & Gay Foundation publish ‘Village Angels: Your Guide To Keeping Safe on Canal Street.’

If you’re out and about in the Village at the weekend, make sure you track down a Village Angel, and they’ll give you a copy!

To find our more, visit www.lgf.org.uk/ angels. If you’d like a copy of this guide, please call 0845 3 30 30 30, or e-mail martin.cooper@lgf.org.uk

Illustration: Rob Burgess

This pocket-sized, rollout leaflet is a straightto-the-point, no-nonsense guide to making sure your night out on Canal Street goes safely and smoothly. Packed with hints and tips, it’ll fit nicely into your pocket, purse, or wallet. Keep it handy!

Portishead’s Dummy will always take me back to watching This Life. Not just because of Andrew Lincoln in the shower. But because the show connected with twenty-something lives and at the time, listless trip-hop was our soundtrack. Even now, when the world is getting to me, I just need to put Eels ‘Novocaine for the Soul’ on loud (or Madonna’s Jump if I’m feeling more lavender about it) and things seem OK. Those songs connect me to times when I got out of something bad and into something good.

Sometimes I wonder why I hear a particular song (on the radio, iPod or in

my head) and expect a particular other song to follow it. The answer is in an old bin bag at the back of my airing cupboard. Cassettes. Hundreds of them. With mix tapes diligently copied off my old ‘Music Centre’ and listened to until the tape wowed and stretched on a dodgy old walkman! Where you couldn’t just change the order on a whim - they didn’t have shuffle buttons, and fast forwarding wasted your batteries.

We all have those connections. Radio theory says that your decade ‘sweet spot’ is puberty + ten years. So, being 44 this September, that makes my decade from age 12 to 22 - or bang on The Eighties! Exams, coming out, first boyfriend (and everything that entails ...), first trip abroad, teenage angst, first job, bedsit (Soft Cell!), all conducted to a soundtrack from ABC to XTC.

SCAN THE QR CODE to download the Gaydio iPhone app!

RETRO POP!

Those are the kind of memories I try to bring alive - not just for me, but for you too - every Sunday night from 6pm on The Loop. And if you’re not as ancient as me (and we all know 43 is 103 in gay years!) then The 90s Rewind with Gunny does much the same after me at 8pm - but ten years later. Enjoy the moment.

www.gaydio.co.uk www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 17

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TO

V

UP YOUR WAY FOCUS ON: LIVERPOOL

ALL ABOARD FOR LIVERPOOL PRIDE! FOCUS ON: BLACKPOOL

FRIENDS OF

All aboard for Liverpool Pride 2012 - Nautical but Nice!

Liverpool Pride will celebrate the city’s world famous Waterfront and seafaring heritage in a fun packed day of free entertainment for all the family on Saturday, August 4th 2012.

The festival will also see Liverpool Pride return to Stanley St Quarter after partnering up with the team behind Gay Quarter and Eberle Street Prides 2011. Liverpool Pride is all about the people who take part and this is our call to action for 2012! We’d love you to come and volunteer, either in the office or on the day itself. Check out how at www.liverpoolpride.co.uk/ get-involved Perhaps you are a little bit time starved?

Why not help Liverpool Pride with a donation, cash or in kind to help us get ship-shape?

Contact us to find out more on www. liverpoolpride.co.uk/contactliverpool-pride or ring us on 0151 709 5069. We want to keep entrance on the day free, as our Festival is still a campaign against homo- and transphobia – it’s essential everyone can attend regardless of income for us to get our message out there.

DOROTHY

Friends of Dorothy Blackpool and Wyre Lesbian, gay, Bi &Trans, Questioning group.

Friends of Dorothy are a new inclusive weekly run social support group based in Blackpool to meet the needs of LGBTQ people who may be isolated because of disability, or other health issues. It’s a peer support group that is away from the gay scene and pubs and bars.

Everyone is welcome and the venue is disabled friendly in a central location near to major bus routes and the train station.

The group is mixed with the aim of being as inclusive as possible for all members of the LGB&T community. We aim to raise money and funds to go on social events assisting people to get out and about and to raise confidence for people in the community.

We have a dog walking group and we are in the process of setting up a walking group for people of all abilities with the support of the wellness service in Blackpool. The group is for people 18+.

For more information visit: www.blackpoolfriendsofdorothy.co.uk

FOCUS ON: OLDHAM PRIDE 2012

THE OWLYMPICS This year’s Oldham Pride promises to be an activity packed, fun-filled OWLympic event, taking place on Saturday 28th July.

There will be an OWLympic torch parade from Oldham Town Centre (assemble 11.45am) to Gallery Oldham. Here the main event, hosted by the fantastic Rosie Lugosi and the

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

equally fantastic Jonathan Mayor (tbc) will take place from 12.30pm till 4pm. As well as fabulous acts and entertainment, including Oldham Pride favourites, ABBAfusion and Cavali Jay, there will be fun activities for all the family and a wide range of LGBT and other advice and information stalls too.

For further information email oldhamlgbtforum@oldham.gov.uk

YOUR PAGES IN YOUR WORDS!

FOCUS ON: HOME OFFICE

SPECTRUM

SPECTRUM (Home Office LGBT Network) held their Spring Conference at Abbey Community Centre, London on 18th April.

There were over 100 attendees, and speakers included Alastair Bridges (sexual orientation champion for Identity and Passport Service), Dr Patrick Williams (Director of World Pride) and Phyll Opoku-Gyimah (Director of Black Pride), Lance Corporal James Wharton (British Army) and Rev Sarah Jones (first trans Church of England cleric).

For more information on SPECTRUM visit www. homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/working-forus1/spectrum/

FOCUS ON: WOMEN IN SONG

GIRLS ALOUD Manchester Lesbian and Gay Chorus FREE Women’s Singing Workshop Saturday 9th June 3 – 6pm, Cross Street Chapel, Manchester Always enjoyed singing along to the radio and fancied seeing what you really could do? Come along to the Manchester Lesbian and Gay Chorus FREE Women’s Singing Workshop to have a go at signing! We are currently looking to increase our female membership and so for this work shop we welcome any self-identified women wishing to sing in any of the traditional voice parts. As a chorus, we sing in four parts a cappella and welcome anyone who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans. For more information, directions and to book, please go to www. mlgc.org.uk, find us on facebook or email mlgcworkshop@gmail.com

FOCUS ON: COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY FESTIVAL On Saturday 16 June 2012 from 12.30- 6pm, lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans groups and organisations are coming together for the LGB&T Community Festival.

Taking place at The Lesbian & Gay Foundation’s Community Resource Centre in Manchester, the day promises to bring groups together and to showcase collectively the support, information, advice, guidance and resources that are available to LGB&T people across the North West and beyond. The day is intended to be informal and friendly and let people find out more information about what’s going on across the North West in a safe and positive environment. For more information, search for “LGBT Community Network Festival” To be kept informed of this event and future events please email your contact details to: lgbt.socialnw@gmail.com. This event is being supported by The Lesbian & Gay Foundation.

FOCUS ON: SALFORD

OUT IN SALFORD Come along to the annual Peel Park Pink Picnic! 29th July 2012 12-6pm.

In association with Out IN Salford and Salix Homes, join us for a fun, friendly safe afternoon in the heart of Peel Park in the grounds of the University of Salford. This is a family event open to all; LGBT or straight friends. For further details please visit the Out IN Salford website: www.outinsalford.org.uk

FOCUS ON: CUMBRIA

OutREACH CUMBRIA OutREACH Cumbria an old name but a new organisation.

We are still keen to recruit new volunteers, especially anyone with funding experience, health work, admin or IT. One key objective for 2012 is to start a new telephone helpline. To achieve this aim we need to a number of volunteers to take calls. If you are interested, contact Richard on: 07896 250662 or email: outreachcumbria@live.co.uk

FOCUS ON: POLICE

GOOD SPIRITS The Rev Rob Crompton is no ordinary gay minister!

He’s the new interfaith police Chaplain for the Lancashire Constabulary, and it will be his role to provide pastoral and spiritual care to members of Lancashire Constabulary, their families and friends in conjunction with other staff welfare services. He will also help develop multi-faith networks within the Constabulary.

For more info contact Ian.Ashton@lancashire. pnn.police.uk www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 19

HEAD TO HEAD In the first of a new feature we ask two men, one HIV positive and one HIV negative, to give their thoughts on sexual healtH. THIS TIME...

“HOW DO WE STOP GAY & BI MEN BECOMING HIV POSITIVE?” THE HIV POSITIVE PERSPECTIVE

PATRICK ETENNES

+

THE HIV NEGATIVE PERSPECTIVE

CHRIS FISHER

-

“Judging by the amount of HIV in our communities, I believe the best option is to go back to the basics.

“Ever heard of bug chasing? Google it now! Sounds fictional right? Well this kind of thing is still going on.

Education, promotion and reality tactics. Education of younger people needs to be addressed once more. Sex is such a ridiculously suppressed topic that no one wants to talk about it, parents don’t discuss the matter, leaving kids to fend for themselves and follow the practice of their friends. We forget that a lot of gay & bisexual men may have considered themselves ‘straight’ at some point, and may have thought all they have to do is use a condom to prevent their female partner getting pregnant.

This kind of activity sums up the attitude some (not all) young gay men have about HIV. That HIV is a disease of the past, no longer the death sentence it one was. We can’t stop the spread of HIV completely, after all accidents happen and there are always a few who will act recklessly regardless of the amount of condoms thrown at them.

But in the mainstream, with health conscious gay men, where are we going wrong?

Promotion of safer sex is also contradicted by the abundant use of SEX in the gay community! In order to sell any gay event, sex is used, now I enjoy a beautiful body in front of me, but at the same time, fewer efforts are put into using beautiful bodies to promote something that affects every one of us! I think it’s time that both younger and older communities are brought back to the era where reality tactics are used to show what could happen if we fail to acknowledge our personal responsibility re: getting tested. I keep saying that bare backing in our community is on the rise but with bare backing comes the risk of …

INFECTION!

The excuse of not having access to condoms is utter rubbish; it’s difficult to move in the village without tripping over a ‘safer sex pack’.

Maybe the distribution of the condoms is too limited? Some nonscene guys might not have this privilege. Possibly, but condoms are distributed everywhere - no excuses! Maybe if people were more open about their status it would bring the condition a little closer to home for young gay men, many of which may have never met a HIV positive man - or so they think. It’s difficult to pin down why we struggle to fight the epidemic. In my opinion, HIV awareness advertising is done wrong. Too much time is spent solely on persuading people to get tested.

If you’re ok with being infected then at least get tested. Don’t take a risk then pretend it never happened.Denial doesn’t work when things start to go wrong with your body.”

We need to discuss it more personally, about the effects of living with HIV. For me, an attractive model and an instruction to get tested just doesn’t invoke a deep emotion.”

The Big Debate: How do we stop Gay and Bi Men becoming HIV+?

22nd August 2012. 7:00pm – 9:00pm. Free Event. The Lesbian & Gay Foundation, Number 5, Richmond Street, M1 3HF. The LGF, Gaydio and Manchester Public Health Development Service invite you to a public debate with an expert panel. If you have an opinion you would like to share then come to The Big Debate. If you would like to attend or submit a question to the panel e-mail: talk@lgf.org.uk and reserve a place, stating if you have any access requirements.

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

READER SURVEY 2012 WIN!

OUTNORTHWEST

£100!

OF SHOPPING VOUCHERS

YOU COULD WIN £100 OF SHOPPING VOUCHERS (OF YOUR CHOICE!) SIMPLY BY TELLING US WHAT YOU THINK OF OUTNORTHWEST. JUST FILL OUT THE FORM, AND SEND IT BACK TO OUR FREEPOST ADDRESS (DETAILS OVERLEAF). YOU CAN ALSO COMPLETE THE FORM ONLINE at www.lgf.org.uk/onwsurvey

ABOUT YOU (This information will remain anonymous) 1. What is the first part of your postcode, or the town you live in? (eg M3 or Salford)

2. Are you?

Black or Black British African

Any other Black or Black British Background

Chinese

Other (please specify)

9. What is your employment status?

Female

Male

3. Is your gender identity the same as the gender you were assigned at birth?

Yes

No

Lesbian

Gay

Heterosexual/Straight

Student (Part Time)

Employed (Full Time)

Employed (Part Time)

Unemployed (eligible for benefits)

4. Which of the following options best describes how you think of yourself?

Student (Full Time)

Unemployed (not eligible for (benefits)

Retired

Bisexual

YOUR READING HABITS 10. Where did you pick up this copy of ONW?

5. What is your age?

6. What is your religion or belief, even if you are not currently practising?

LGB&T venues in the Village?

LGB&T venues in other towns (please specify town and venue)

Sikh

I read it online

Other (please specify)

Other (please specify)

Buddhist

Muslim

Christian

No religion

Hindu

Humanist

Jewish

11. Where do you normally pick up your copy of ONW?

(inc all denominations)

12. Where do you normally read your copy of ONW? 7. Do you consider yourself to be a disabled person? (This may also include long-term medical conditions)

In the LGB&T venue I picked it up (and I normally leave it there)

In the LGB&T venue I picked it up (and I normally take it home)

No

I read it when I get home.

8. What is your ethnic group?

I already said I read it online

White Irish

Other (please specify)

Other White Background

Mixed White & Black Caribbean

13. How many other people read your copy of ONW?

Mixed White & Black African

Mixed White & Asian

0-1 years

1-2 years

3-4 years

7-8 years

9-10 years

Yes

White British

14. How long have you been reading ONW?

5-6 years

Other Mixed Background

Asian or Asian British Indian

More than 10 years

Asian or Asian British Pakistani

Asian or Asian British Bangladeshi

15. What other LGB magazine do you read?

Any other Asian or Asian British Background

Black or Black British Caribbean

ISSUE 104

ISSUE 105

ISSUE 106

ISSUE 107

ISSUE 108

ISSUE 109

16. Of the last 6 issues of ONW (above) which ones have you read?

23. On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being VERY reliable, 5 being NOT VERY reliable), how reliable do you find the following types of information in ONW? (Circle or cross the relevant score)

Issue 104

Issue 105

Issue 106

News

1

2

3

4

5

Issue 107

Issue 108

Issue 109

Sexual Health

1

2

3

4

5

None of them

Wellbeing/Health

1

2

3

4

5

Listings

1

2

3

4

5

DESIGN & LOOK

17. Which of the above covers appeals to you MOST, and why?

24. Do you feel better informed after reading ONW? (Please tell us why)

Yes

No

18. Which of the above covers appeals to you LEAST, and why?

25. Has information in ONW ever influenced your behaviour?

(For example, have you made an appointment for a sexual heath test? A cervical 19. Do you like the layout of ONW? (Please tell us why)

Yes

No

screening test? Attended an LGF event? We’re asking you this because we’d like to know the impact ONW may have.)

CONTENT

Yes

No

THE FUTURE

20. Please rate the following 11 regular features in ONW in order of preference from 1 to 11 (1 for favourite, 11 for least favourite) Enough Is Enough!

Frankie Says

News

Village People

Gaydio

Outspoken (Interview)

Men’s Sexual Health

26. What topics/features/people would you like to see ONW cover in future issues?

27. How would you like to receive ONW in the future?

Women’s Features

General Health/Wellbeing

Print

Mobile App

E-Reader (eg Kindle)

Tablet (eg iPad) Online

Sport 28. Would you recommend ONW to a friend? (Please tell us why)

Listings

Yes

No

21. Please tell us why you enjoy your first choice.

22. Please tell is why you don’t enjoy your last choice

29. To be included in the prize draw for £100 shopping vouchers, tell us your name/preferred contact address/e-mail/number below.

RETURN TO: ONW SURVEY, THE LESBIAN & GAY FOUNDATION, FREEPOST RSKS-KCZG-BAZB, NUMBER 5, RICHMOND STREET, MANCHESTER M1 3HF

OUTSPOKEN ANDREA MURRAY ONW gets to the heart of the matter (and finds our what’s in her fridge!) with Andrea Murray, Director of Policy at the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

ANDREA MURRAY Andrea Murray is Director of Policy at the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The EHRC has a statutory remit to promote and monitor human rights; and to protect, enforce and promote equality across the nine “protected” grounds, including sexual orientation. She has a longstanding commitment to promoting equality having previously worked at the Equal Opportunities Commission and for British Council in Nigeria and other countries worldwide. In her spare time she’s a singer of classical music, enjoys hill walking and obscure BBC4 documentaries.

Which three items would you take to a desert island?

Music, champagne and a big pile of books What do you do to relax?

See above! Plus walking in the hills in the sunshine Which person, living or dead, do you most admire, and why?

A feminist academic and activist on violence against women called Professor Liz Kelly – she combines a passionate commitment to the issues with a razor-sharp brain What do you owe your parents?

A love of classical music and the West Highlands, and a morbid Scottish sense of humour, which sometimes gets me into trouble What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

That the difficult things don’t go away if you ignore or avoid them (and they get easier with practice) What keeps you awake at night?

Running through my intray in my head – and the cats throwing up fur balls If you could be any character in fiction, who would you be?

Maybe Dorothea from Middlemarch.

Bookish, well-intentioned and sometimes wrong-headed.

What’s in your fridge?

Champagne, soy milk and veggie sausages Who are your three ideal dinner guests, living or dead?

People I’m curious about – so how about

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

Michael Portillo, Dame Janet Baker and Lucy Mangan from the Guardian. Who knows how long the party would last though…

What would your superpower be?

Teleportation – the older I get, the more I hate airports What is your favourite word?

Too many to choose from – how about sumptuous, languorous, decadent…

What do you think is the greatest challenge facing women today?

Getting stuck with all the childcare, and violence and abuse What’s the best thing about being a woman?

Being allowed to talk about your feelings Last book you read?

A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel – you can ask me anything now about who slept with whom during the French Revolution Last film you watched?

Last really good one was Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – for those of us who grew up in the 70s, it was a reminder just how grey and beige everything was Last album you bought or downloaded?

Wild Beasts What’s your favourite TV show?

Usually, University Challenge! At the moment, I’m addicted to Borgen, the Bridge, and Scott and Bailey, and am just recovering from the last episode of Homeland.

Tell us a joke.

My favourite line from Sandy Toksvig on the News Quiz when they were discussing welfare cuts for cancer sufferers: “That’s just what this country has been crying out for, a government with the courage to say that the terminally ill should pull their weight!”

THE

LB WOMEN

SKINNY IDEAL

SAMANTHA WHYTE discovers that gay Women are just as vulnerable to the tyranny of the Skinny Ideal “I am typing this on a keyboard littered with Ryvita crumbs, stopping periodically to chug from an enormous bottle of mineral water. You may have guessed that, for the fifth or sixth time this year, I have resolved to lose some weight.

There are good points and bad points to the process; on the one hand I can do more situps than I could in January, on the other the dietary restrictions mean that I sometimes find myself dreamily composing romantic odes to refined carbohydrates.

Some consider this a surprising preoccupation for a gay woman. I am not subject to the oppressiveness of the male gaze like my straight counterparts. Nor have I ever felt compelled to engage in the kind of competitive starvation that I have seen tear through gay male friendship groups with a ferocity I’d hitherto assumed was reserved

INFO

for catwalk dressing rooms and boarding school dormitories.

But the tyranny of the skinny ideal is incredibly pervasive, and although disordered eating and poor body image may disproportionately affect some social groups more than others, with heterosexual teenage girls faring particularly badly, none of us are immune. Western culture has always conflated ability to control food intake with moral strength. Dr. Kerry O’Brien’s recent research confirms that our character and competence is often judged by our body shape. To challenge this is to challenge received wisdom that has bene handed down through the ages; the history of dieting is the history of self-control spiraling into self-flagellation.

The burden of hundreds of years of a false ideal weigh very heavily on all of our shoulders and none of us, male or female, gay or straight, can easily cast it off.”

Samantha Whyte

If you’d like to talk about any aspect of your wellbeing, call the LGF on 0845 3 30 30 30, or e-mail helpline@lgf.org.uk. For more information please visit www.lgf.org.uk or or e-mail women@lgf.org.uk

CERVICAL SCREENING AWARENESS WEEK 2012 10th-16th June Did you know that all women between the ages of 25 and 64 who have a cervix – including lesbian and bisexual woman – need to go for regular cervical screening?

The test checks for abnormal cells and can help prevent cervical cancer. Don’t take the risk! Call your GP now and make an appointment. Have you picked up the LGF’s guide to cervical screening for lesbian and bisexual women? ‘Are You Ready For Your Screen Test?’ tells you everything from when you should be invited for your test, to what to expect, to using your rights and how to make it the best possible experience.

More information can be found at www.lgf.org.uk/ screening 23 www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 25

Interviews: Rachel Kirkman

M A H G N M I A B H E G H M N I T A B H G E H N I T B E TH 2 1 0 2 P 2 U 1 C 0 2 P 2012 UP CU C Over 1,000 rugby players from across the world will be heading to Manchester from 1st – 3rd June to take part in The Bingham Cup, the 2012 gay rugby world cup. The competition will see clubs heading to Manchester’s Broughton Park from cities as diverse as Sydney, Stockholm, Amsterdam and New York.

The Bingham Cup began in 2002 and is named after gay rugby player Mark Bingham who died on United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11. You can read more about Mark and his heroism in this special four-page feature. ONW is also tremendously honoured to have spoken to Mark’s mum Alice Hoagland. Alice will be heading to the tournament in June, and we’re sure the players, and the LGB community in Manchester will give her a very warm welcome.

Ben Cohen, MBE, England rugby World Cup champion and chairman of the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, said: “I’m passionate that anyone, regardless of their background, should be able to play rugby. Events such as this tournament show how rugby has become more inclusive and it also helps break down barriers and bring more people into the sport.”

The tournament will feature top quality referees led

by Nigel Owens and include an opening ceremony at Manchester’s town hall and a closing event featuring Manchester 2012 ambassador and former British and Irish Lions captain Gareth Thomas.

It should be a spectacular weekend, and spectator tickets are still available. Buying a spectator ticket allows you to come down and see the games and cost only £6.00 per day for adults (under 16’s are free). These can be bought on the day at Broughton Park. A three-day supporter pass is available for £15.

Matt has been playing for The Village Spartans for 12 years, and has taken par t in every Bingham Cup. What would you say to those considering getting involved in rugby as an inclusive sport?

Rugby is an awesome game, and and the Spartans in an amazing club. You won’t know what you’re missing out on until you give it a go. The club has players of 20 years and more experience as well as guys who’ve never played before, so our training accommodates all ability levels, sometime training together and sometimes the newer guys split off and work on their basic skills.

How do you feel about Manchester hosting the Bingham Cup this year ?

I’ve played in every Bingham Cup so far. Manchester 2012 will be the sixth , and I’m over them moon that we were able to bring it to Manchester (and to beat Sydney in bidding to host it)! T he city is known the world over for its sporting excellence, but Manchester has loads more to offer, so I can’t wait for all my rugby friends from across the globe to come and see why I love Manchester so much. We’ve also been able to organise brilliant venues for the tournament, from the playing venu e at Broughton Park Rugby Club to the Opening Ceremony at the Town Hall ; to the Gaydar Afterparty at The Fact ory, so I can’t wait for it to start. I’m sure the quality of rugby will be top drawer too.

What has been your highlight taki ng part in the Bingham Cup so far?

The Semi Final in London in 2004. We played London on their own patch and it was a really, really close game - one of the hardest I’ve played. We won 6-3 and I scored a drop goal that helped us to win it.

How will the Spartans be welcomi ng visitors to Manchester for the Cup ?!

The Village will be buzzing all week leading up to the start of play on 1 June. The VBA, Marketing Manches ter and Council have been great in help ing to organise the event and will be putting up banners around the city to provide a big Manchester welcome to all the players and supporters too.

www.pitchero.com/ clubs/villagespartans

MATT Y WHITELARE TANS

We kick off our Bingham Cup special talking to some of the guys who will be taking part in the tournament, some for the first time.

For more information about about The Bingham Cup and to buy spectator tickets, visit www.binghamcup.com 26 OUTNORTHWEST Support the work of the LGF. Donate online today at www.lgf.org.uk

VILL AGE SP

THE BINGHAM CUP 2012 CHARLOTTE ROYALS

RICHARD HARROTAP NS VILL AGE SPAR

Richard plays for Manchester’s Village Spartans, and this will be his first ever Bingham Cup. Do you feel proud that your local city was chosen to host The Bingham Cup? As a Mancunian born and bred, I am hugely proud that Manchester has been chosen to host The Bingham Cup 2012. From a club perspective, it’s testament to the hard work and dedication shown by club members both past and present that our city was chosen. And as a gay man, it is hugely exciting that the third largest rugby tournament is being held in Manchester showing the rest of the country, and the world, how diverse and accepting the city and the UK is.

This is your first Bingham Cup. What are you most looking forward to?

I think I’m really looking forward to not only representing my team but also my city. But the chance to play rugby, a sport I love, against so many international teams is both daunting and exciting. Playing in the tournament in my home city is something I will never get to do again in my playing career.

ALEX AGUILAR Alex Aguilar has been playing rugby for four years, and currently plays for The Charlotte Royals in North Carolina. Alex will be coming to Manchester for the first time to play in The Bingham Cup. Is this the first gay rugby tournament you’ve taken part in?

At this caliber? Yes! I’ve played in a couple other gay rugby tournaments; DC Renegades’ Spring Fling 2009 and St. Louis Crusaders’ Spring Fever 2012; but never have I played at a gay rugby tournament at this magnitude. 30 gayinclusive rugby teams from around the world… wowzers! There’s said to be about 1,000 rugby players attending the tournament. I’m truly honored to be

sharing the pitch with so many talent ruggers.

What do you think of the overall concept of the Bingham Cup? I think it is brilliant. Not only do I get to compete against my brothers worldwide, I get to honor the man who saved many lives in the USA and started a legacy for gay athletes. Thank you Mark Bingham!

What made you decide to take part in this year’s Bingham Cup? Our team did heavy recruiting, fundraising, and training so we’d have the opportunity this year since we missed our chance to compete two years ago in Minneapolis. Luckily, with the support of our sponsors, auxiliary members, and fans we will have the opportunity to compete at the Bingham Cup for the first time in our club’s eight year history.

Do you know what to expect come June the 1st?

Honestly, I don’t. Iguess the only thing I can expect is for my teammates and I to play the best we can and to represent Charlotte, NC, USA at the Cup. I did receive advice from a mate who’s competed before. He said, “Alex have fun!” And that’s definitely what I’m going to do!

What are you looking forward to most?

Some of us are actually coming earlier to take in the sights. I’m sure that our hosts, the Manchester Village Spartans, will have plenty for us to do in this beautiful city. What I’m probably looking forward to most is digging my boots in English soil where the sport was born.

Do you have any other off-pitch activities planned?

Well I know my first plan will be to find this publication at a local newsstand and pack my bag full to take back to my mother!

www.charlotteroyals.org Photo: Steve Joyce

www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 27

THE BINGHAM CUP “I cry every time I see an interview with Alice, because I empathize with her loss, but also I’m part of Mark’s legacy. I remember reading about him playing rugby and seeing all the gay rugby clubs that just started popping up like crazy all over the US in the last 10 years; the Grizzlies are 6 years old, and they are part of that explosion in the gay rugby community that has happened largely because of Mark Bingham. I have gotten so much out of rugby; it has literally changed my life. It’s a tremendous legacy to leave; not just his heroism on 9/11, but everythingm, and also the way Alice has carried on since. It’s a testament to their shared strength, their motherson bond, and character.”

JOHN LEE NASHVILLE GRIZZLIES

HERO of FLIGHT 93 THE MARK BINGHAM STORY OUTNORTHWEST talks to Alice Hoagland, mother of Mark Bingham about her son’s proud legacy, and The Bingham Cup coming to Manchester.

John Lee, who is playing with the Nashville Grizzlies at The Bingham Cup in Manchester this year, is talking about the inspirational Alice Hoagland, mother of avid rugby player and 9/11 hero Mark Bingham.

Mark was also a gay man but as Alice says he never defined himself by his sexuality.

“Mark ‘came out’ at 21 and if I’m honest I didn’t take it well. It was hard. I wasn’t ready for it. It took me time to accept it. Looking back I was sad that I was not fully receptive.

Now I tell people proudly my son was a gay man. He took his sexuality in his stride, he

didn’t billboard it but he didn’t hide it. He was open. He didn’t let it define him. It was part of his personality not all of it”. She talks happily about how Mark surrounded himself with friends; “He was full of life and a catalyst for fun. He was always anxious that others were having a good time and he lived for his friends. He was wonderful and loving. He used to light up the room.” She remembers he was shy growing up but “grew from this skinny kid into a robust and commanding 6’2 guy”. Part of that change was due to his well documented love of rugby.

“Mark discovered rugby at 15. I remember him coming home from school one day, bruised, battered and muddy with this huge grin on his face. He said ‘I’ve discovered a new sport!’ He captained his High School team. I used to attend all his practises and games. He used to say ‘Mom - rugby is my life’”.

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

Mark continued to play rugby and his high school experiences paved the way for him to join the rugby union team at the University of California, Berkley where he helped them win a string of national championships. After graduating Mark was a member of gay rugby team the San Francisco Fog and helped to form New York’s Gotham Knights.

It was his love of rugby and his impressive physique that helped him when it came to the fateful day of 11th September 2001 – 9/11, where Mark, then aged 31, was aboard The United Airlines Flight 93.

Alice recalls how she took a call from him minutes after the hijackers had taken the plane, “He said ‘Mom, it’s Mark Bingham’. He must have been scared to use his surname.

He said ‘We’ve been hijacked. They are saying they have a bomb. I just wanted to say I love you if I don’t see you again’”.

THE BINGHAM CUP

Interview: Sarah McNally

Earlier that morning terrorists had hijacked four passenger jets. Two were flown into the World Trade Centre towers in New York and one into the Pentagon in Virginia. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was headed for a target in Washington D.C. Nearly 3,000 died in the attacks. Alice later listened to the ‘black box’ tapes and learnt how Mark and a small group of fellow passengers including old high school friend Todd Beamer, Judo champion Jeremy Glick and quarterback Thomas Burnett had decided to take the plane. They stormed the cockpit and in the ensuing chaos it crashed, killing all the 44 people onboard including the 4 terrorists.

“Mark was full of life and a catalyst for fun.

He was always anxious that others were having a good time and he lived for his friends. He was wonderful and loving. He used to light up the room”

Alice tells ONW, “I can imagine this group of big sporty guys deciding ‘right let’s take the plane’. They must have looked so intimidating. On the tapes you can hear them fighting, it took a lot of effort. I’m proud that they died on their feet. Competitive sports and athletic ability really made a difference for America on 9/11.”

“Mark and his friends made a difference.

Because of them Washington did not perish in flames that day. They saved countless lives. Together they have become symbols of goodness, unity and togetherness. 9/11 taught us we’re all one in spirit despite colour, race, sexuality, age and beliefs. What matters most is we are bound by common humanity.”

Now 62, Alice is a retired United flight attendant and is a proponent of aviation safety. She no longer flies and has been very vocal about airline security. After 9/11 Mark became a hero. Not only an American hero, a symbol of hope, but a gay hero, an icon of sorts, who ‘smashed the gay stereotype’ and inspired gay communities worldwide. Alice puts it simply “he was always a hero to us”.

Since his death Mark has been honoured in many ways. The bi-annual get together of gay rugby clubs was named after him in 2002, becoming ‘The Bingham Cup’.

This year’s tournament will see 1,000 players compete. Alice is proud of Mark’s legacy; “I’m so proud that these great guys, these energetic, powerful and idealistic rugby players are carrying on Mark’s tradition.

That’s the wonderful thing about rugby. The players go at each other so fierce and are so competitive and fight so hard on the field, but after the game everybody goes to get a pint.” At the June tournament, to be held in Manchester, the feature-length documentary film ‘With You’ will be screened, depicting Mark and Alice’s story of love, loss and heroism. After the showing Alice and ex-Sale Sharks rugby star Ben Cohen will talk about how to combat homophobia in sport.

Alice has attended every single tournament.

She says “I’m so touched that they want me to come. It’s a lot of fun!” She will be coming to Manchester in June and says “I’m really excited as England is the home of rugby. I’ve been to London when the cup was hosted there in 2004, but I’ve always wanted to come to a Northern city.” She goes on to say the support of Manchester’s Village Spartans, the North West’s inclusive rugby team, has been great “I met them back in 2010 when they came to Minnesota. They have been so welcoming and have offered to show me around”.

The public response to Mark and Alice’s story has been huge. “I had no idea what the reaction would be. Mark had so many friends and inspired so many people. The support from everyone has been amazing, especially the LGBT community. Sometimes there’s the occasional hate mail but what’s important is

what I stand for and the people who I stand with stand for”.

How would the once shy Mark feel about being a hero? Alice laughs “one of his friends was asked this and said Mark’s reaction would be ‘they are talking about me?!’ He would be crowing! He liked the attention. He himself rued the fact there were not enough gay heroes to look up to”.

Alice tells ONW her hopes for the future; “I want the day to come where people are accepted for who they are and sexuality is not an issue. It’s well past the time where the gay community can love who they love, marry who they want and be who they want to be without fear of persecution”.

“I hope Mark would be proud of what I was doing”. www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 29

WELLBEING

WELLBEING

In June 2012, The Lesbian & Gay Foundation will be launching its first ever therapy group aimed at LGBT people who are aged 60 and over. The group is as a response to the significant lack of people over the age of 60 who access (or more to the point, don’t access) our mental health and wellbeing services. So what makes people of this age appear to be almost invisible? LUCY ROLFE reports.

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

With many of the 1 million LGB people over 55 in Britain, lacking confidence in the public services, fearing that they’re unable to meet their needs, there’s a growing population of people who are becoming more and more vulnerable.

It probably comes as no surprise that older LGB people live alone, are single and are less likely to have support around them from family members and children, leaving many in constant isolation.

Naively, we might assume that setting up a service which aims to reduce this isolation is the solution, but it’s much more complicated than that – if older LGB people don’t have faith in the people or services who are supposed to be supporting them, why would we expect them to change their minds now?

For many LGB people, coming out to a GP or health professional is not an option, despite being nearly twice as likely to rely on health and social care services in later life. This may be because 3 in 5 don’t feel confident that these services will meet their needs, which may mean that the only option left is to cope alone, which could lead to further isolation and health problems worsening.

At the Lesbian & Gay Foundation, we are working alongside service providers and GPs to improve this bleak outlook for LGB people, by making sure that these essential services are meeting the needs of everyone who needs them. Together with our range of mental health and wellbeing services, we hope that bit by bit, we can start to turn around this bleak outlook faced by many older people who really do deserve so much more.

So what else are we doing?

In June 2012, we will be launching our first ever 60+ therapy group which has been designed to provide support and social contact for older LGB&T people. We will be covering a different topic each week; from childhood, to gender and sexual orientation, to death and relationships.

CUT IT OUT AND STICK IT ON YOUR FRIDGE!

A pioneering study in 2011 by Stonewall, confirmed our fears; many older people feel unable to be open about their sexual orientation which means they don’t secure the support they need.

The group will provide a safe and supportive place where members can explore different areas of their lives, how they relate to others and hopefully build confidence and self esteem. We have already had a great response to this new service, which has led us to consider that maybe age-specific initiatives help to remove some of the barriers experienced by older people. If you’re aged 60+ and would like to attend a group like this in the future, then please let us know.

The LGFs current Befriending Service will also be taking much more of a focus on meeting the needs of older people and will start to include advocacy, practical support and eventually home visits. We aim to be able to support people longer-term and will be able to reach people from across Greater Manchester, focussing on areas where many people live in isolation. If you think you could benefit from this scheme, then please call our Helpline and tell us how we can help.

Through our Pride in Practice initiative, we are working closely with GPs to help them to better meet the needs of their patients who are LGB. We’re providing information, guidance and asking GP surgeries to display positive messages in their waiting areas and receptions, to encourage people to be more open with their GP about their sexual orientation, which will hopefully lead to better health care for thousands of people.

If you’re unsure about which service will best meet your needs, or if you have concerns about support; we’re here if you need us through our helpline, 7 days a week 10am – 10pm on 0845 3 30 30 30. We can help to guide you through the options, whether it’s for you, or someone you’re supporting.

So what can you do?

If you’ve had a positive experience of a health or social care service, whether it’s visiting your GP, accessing a health service or coming to the LGF, let us know! We’re really keen to know where people are doing some positive work so we can make sure that other people can benefit from it, all you need to do is get in touch with our Wellbeing co-ordinator (details below) and tell us about your experience.

We’re always looking for new volunteers who want to get involved in our Befriending Service, particularly if you live in Greater Manchester. We provide training, ongoing support and expenses and in return you may just find that giving something back to the

older people in your community is one of the most rewarding things you’ve ever done.

Let us know what we can do – if you have an idea, some feedback on LGFs services, or have seen something that works well to support older LGB people in your area, then get in touch. We may not always be able to set up every idea, but if your needs aren’t being met, then it’s important that we know about it so we can try our best to turn this around.

Lucy Rolfe Wellbeing Co-ordinator Call: 0845 3 30 30 30 Email: lucy.rolfe@lgf.org.uk Contact The Lesbian & Gay Foundation on 0845 3 30 30 30. Pop in and see us or write to us at Number 5, Richmond Street, Manchester M1 3HF. You can e-mail us at helpline@lgf.org.uk, and you can visit us online at www.lgf.org.uk Read the Stonewall ‘Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual People in Later Life’ (2011) report at www.stonewall.org.uk

SCAN FOR MORE

Any questions?

Scan here to call the LGF right now.

INFORMATION

www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 33

GAY MEN’S HEALTH

TALKING PICTURES Peter Boyle wonders if images of ‘sexy’ men make us more engaged in gay and bisexual men’s sexual health campaigns.

Does a picture paint a thousand words, or in our case, does a photo of a ‘hot’ guy send out the right message about our sexual health campaigns? This is one of the questions we have been asking men recently, to make sure that our messages are getting through in the best and clearest way possible.

There was a time when all gay/bi men’s sexual health information was accompanied by a sexy guy because that’s all that gay men are into right… sex?

I think that times have moved on, and today we have to be aware that what one person thinks of as ‘sexy’ might be a turn off for another. No longer can we just stick up a picture of a hot body, and hope that as a result, HIV and sexually transmitted infection rates will immediately start to come down.

There is also a concern that using the old ‘sex sells’ idea might actually be sending out the wrong message, and actually sexing up HIV or STIs in ways that we don’t intend to.

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

Photos: Paul Jones, Exposure

“Times have moved on, and today we have to be aware that what one person thinks of as ‘sexy’ might be a turn off for another.”

Also, we know from research that gay and bisexual men are more likely to suffer from body image issues, and things like anorexia and body dysmorphia are more common amongst our target group. We would therefore be adding to the gay body myths by adorning all of our campaigns with the next Mr Gay UK in an attempt to get other health messages across.

This isn’t to say that images in gay men’s work don’t have their place, often they can be used to liven up an article, or help to bring something to life. The LGF doesn’t use professional models, and all of the guys in our publications are real men from our community. It isn’t always easy to portray the rich diverseness of the gay and bisexual men out there, but we do know that our community is as diverse and varied as it gets.

We always strive to make sure that we are doing the right thing; in a way that helps you to get the information that you want, in the way that you want it.

If you would like to join in on the debate about imagery in our gay and bisexual men’s work then drop us an email at sexualhealth@lgf.org.uk we’d love to hear from you.

Would you like to model for future LGF sexual health campaigns? Call Peter Boyle on 0845 3 30 30 30, or e-mail peter.boyle@lgf.org.uk. We needs guys of all shapes and sizes, so don’t be shy!

PETER BOYLE SEX TALK

ARE WE ‘COCKING AND ARSING’?

*@#*!

Does frank sexual terminology make sexual health information more appropriate for gay and bi men or is it better to concentrate on the quality of the information?

I don’t want to start this month by talking sh*t, telling a cock and bull story, or not knowing my arse from my elbow… but, we have been talking to guys about the kind of language we use in sexual health campaigns, and materials. Do you prefer to be spoken to in a matter of fact sort of way, or do you think that the language should be more ‘clinical’, a bit like the stuff that you can pick up in health centres or doctor’s surgeries?

It is not unusual for gay magazines, including health information magazines like this one, to talk of fucking, fisting and cumming. Put this alongside an NHS leaflet and the language would be more about having sex, mutual masturbation and ejaculation. It isn’t hard to spot the difference.

Which of these two styles work best for you? Are you more likely to be turned off by health promotion that is speaking in a very matter of fact sort of way? Maybe it isn’t about choosing one or the other, but mixing the two styles together so that the information isn’t being presented in an entirely clinical kind of way, but also so it doesn’t end up being too

inappropriate, or just plain off putting.

We recognise that times do change, and that there is a whole world of information available to guys now that wouldn’t have been so readily available in the past. The internet means that you can pretty much find anything you need in a matter of seconds, but you should also be careful when looking up information online, as some of it can be misleading, or even worse wrong! Also, looking up symptoms for STIs or HIV online can cause people to become very anxious and worried, usually for no good reason.

The Lesbian & Gay Foundation are here to answer any and all questions you have around HIV, including concerns if you have, or think you have, put yourself at risk of an STI or HIV. If you have any questions or would like to let us know what you think about the use of language in health promotion, you can get in touch by emailing Sexualhealth@ lgf.org.uk we’d love to hear your opinion, as it is important that the material we are producing is done in the best possible way for you, our readers.

Peter Boyle is the Sexual Health Co-ordinator at The Lesbian & Gay Foundation www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 35

GAY MEN’S HEALTH

FANCY A

QUICKIE? looking for advice on great safer sex, and how to get it? join THE lgf on you tube as iT launches a brand new web serieS..

Well from now, and every two weeks, you can! We want you to have fantastic safer sex. And all we ask is for two minutes of your time…

‘LGF Quickies’ are short videos presented

by Peter Boyle, Sexual Health Coordinator at The Lesbian & Gay Foundation. The aim is to give you important sexual health messages in a quick and entertaining way, and (hopefully!) for you to share them with your friends.

In the first episode of LGF Quickies, Peter examines some of the reasons condoms might break, and what to do to ensure

you get the best performance from your condoms and water-based lube. Take a look at the first episode. But be warned, this video contains exploding condoms!

LGF Quickies will be available every two Fridays, so make sure that you check back for the latest episode every fortnight. We’ll also be filming episode of LGF Quickies across the North West, so let us know if you want us to come to your town to film the next one!

Also, Why not let us know what you’d like Peter to cover in future episodes? Do you have an itching, burning question about sex that you’ve always wanted to ask? Ever wondered what PEP is? How often should

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

you go for a sexual health test? How do you tell your sexual partner that he’s not doing what you want him to? Let Peter know what you’d like to see him cover. Drop him an e-mail at peter.boyle@lgf.org.uk

SPREAD THE LOVE... BE A SAFER SEX AMBASSADOR! You can play your part in spreading the safer sex message too. We’re looking for social media users like you to become Safer Sex Ambassadors. All we ask is that you share LGF Quickies on Facebook and Twitter with your friends! Perhaps you read LGB blogs online? Who do you think is influential online?

Why not send them the link to the video and ask them to spread the safer sex message?

GAY MEN’S HEALTH

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

JAKE ARTURIO BRADEN

FATAL ATTRACTION

Scan here for more info on LGF’s testing services (including dates and times)

SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION

The link you need is:

www.youtube.com/ watch?v=WT2Sss_9tMo And remember, if you subscribe to the LGF’s YouTube channel, you’ll be informed as soon as a new LGF Quickie is available to view!

You can subscribe here: www.youtube.com/ user/lgfonline?feature=mhee If you’ve got any questions about sexual health, call The Lesbian & Gay Foundation on 0845 3 30 30 30.

Do you know your HIV status? Find out how you can get tested by visiting www.lgf.org.uk/testing

Recently I have experienced some challenges in my life to test my own sense of well being and self esteem! And how I have taken on board messages about what it means to be an attractive gay man! (i.e. have muscles, beard and rampant sexual appetite!)

it can be challenging to resist the urge to comply.

I saw some changes in my body that alerted me to how much energy I had put into being a certain way in order to attract someone or gain approval from my gay male peers! This was of course “ego” based; now the ego isn’t always our best friend! As its needs are based on not being good enough, approval and things outside itself to feel good! This can also be called self talk, it tends to be one TO DIAL THIS that makes comparisons about being not NUMBER NOW enough, too much, or not good enough.

So how can this be done? Awareness is the first step. When you are motivated to do something, look at where that’s coming from, what voice is speaking?

The one that says you aren’t good enough or the one that encourages you to improve for you and no one else?

SCAN

I almost went into a space of self judgement, berating and belittling myself (ego based self judgements) about how I wasn’t attractive enough! I have a good idea where these messages had come from! However it’s not always good to focus too much on that. It’s how I allowed to be influenced by this.

SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION

There are all kind of “rules” out there about how as LGB people we need to be, in order to be accepted. Some of them come from our own communities.

SCAN TO DIAL THIS

Messages can be very subtle sometimes and can be bright and deafening at other times! When we are surrounded by certain images, being “told” certain things

NUMBER NOW

There is nothing wrong with physical improvement. The question is who are you doing this for, and why? What outcomes are you after? However, real approval for yourself really ought to come from yourself, taking into account your physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual wellbeing.

You’ll know because you are likely to feel something, quite likely the energy around the “ego” based one will be heavy.

It’s good to love yourself for all of you rather than the “attributes” that we have been socialised to believe are the important ones! It’s also good to follow your heart its voice can be more subtle though and can take time to listen to it.

A good tip here is to go into a quiet space (physically and emotionally) place your hand on heart and breath. This is also good for relaxing you and shutting that dam EGO up as well!

If you’d like to talk about any aspect of your wellbeing, call the LGF on 0845 3 30 30 30 or email helpline@lgf.org.uk www.lgf.org.uk OUTNORTHWEST 37

Listings LGB&T North West Listings Including:

Venues, Clinics, Charities & Community Groups

Manchester 88 Listing Indicator

£ Portland Street

Major Street

Hart Street

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24

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Free Safer Sex Packs available at most venues

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

The Bay Horse 35-37 Thomas St, 0161 661 1041, a traditional gay friendly pub, thebayhorsepub.co.uk Belinda ScandAl’s Show Bar 33 Sackville St, 0161 236 1311, Cabaret, Competitions and Fabulous Shows.

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

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Whitworth Street

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Mixed Mainly Men Mainly Women Mainly Trans Bar Serves Food Cash Point Outdoor Seating Disabled Access

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Piccadilly Train Station

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Please check before arrival 16 Monroes 38 London Rd, 0161 236 1788

25 Boyz 4 Canal Street, 0161 228 1360, queer-manchester.com

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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Foo Foos 53 Bloom Street, 0161425 6408

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

6 Churchills 37 Chorlton St, 0161 236 5529, karaoke Tues and Thurs, facebook.com/ churchillsmanchester

14 G-A-Y 10 Canal Street, 0161 228 6201, lively and modern three-floor bar, g-a-y.co.uk

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

15 ICON Sackville St, iconmanchester.co.uk

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

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PUBS, CLUBS & Bars

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Venues Key Dance Floor

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London Road

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Richmond Street

Sackville Gardens

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Canal Street

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Major Street

Minshull Street

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Chorlton Street Bus/Coach Station

29 Abingdon Street

1

Chorlton Street

Sackville Street

Princess Street

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Train Station Metrolink Stop Metroshuttle Stop

Portland Street

company bar 28 Richmond St, 0161 237 9329, companybarmanchester.co.uk 7

Coyotes 14 Chorlton Street, 0161 236 4007, pleasant two floor bar, coyotesbar.co.uk 8

Crunch 10 Canal Street, 0161 236 0446, crunchbar.co.uk 9

Cruz 101 101 Princess St, 0161 950 0101, one of Manchester’s most popular nightclubs, cruz101.com 10

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

16 Legends 4-6 Whitworth Street, 0161 236 5400, legendsmanchester.com 17 Manto 46 Canal Street, 0161 236 2667, bar over three floors, mantobar.com

Mint Lounge Gay Friendly 46-50 Oldham St, 0161 228 1495, trendy bar, mintlounge.com The Molly House 26 Richmond St, 0161 237 9329, bar over three floors, themollyhouse.com 18

22 The Outpost 4-6 Whitworth St, 0161 236 5400 legendsmanchester.com 23 Overdraught Student 121 Princess Street, 0161 237 0811 24 Paddy’s Goose 29 Bloom St, 0161 236 1246, traditional pub.

35 Polari 28-30 Canal St, 0161 236 6523 25 Queer 4 Canal Street, 0161 228 1360, queer-manchester.com

4 Rem BAR 33 Sackville St, 0161 236 1311, traditional pub, rembar.co.uk 26 Retro Bar 78 Sackville Street, 0161 274 4892, retrobarmanchester.com

The Lodge Richmond Street, 0161 237 9667, 27

Taurus 1 Canal St, 0161 236 4593, taurus-bar.co.uk 28

29 Thompsons Arms 23 Sackville Street, 0161 237 5919.

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

Community & Health 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 37

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

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

Manchester Pride 5 Oak Street, manchesterpride.com

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

Self Help Services Zion Community Resource Centre Stretford Rd, 0161 226 3871, mental health services, selfhelpservices.org.uk

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

Survivors Manchester 07919 246 2671, Confidential support for male survivors of sexual abuse and rape, survivorsmanchester.org.uk

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

Via 28-30 Canal St, 0161 236 6523, viamanchester.com 35

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.

The Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF) Number 5, Richmond Street, 0845 3 30 30 30, for all your LGB information and services, lgf.org.uk 37

36 View 40 Canal St, 0161 236 9033, viewbar.co.uk

Club Nights ALERT Fetish at Legends, 4th Friday of the month club-alert.com Bear Club UK at Legends, 1st Sat of the month facebook.com/bearclubuk The Big Scrum Rugby/Sports Kit at Legends, 3rd Sat of the month bigscrum.com BOLLOX Pop/Indie at Legends, 3rd Friday of the month bolloxclub.com Club Fizz Women Only Carlton Club, 2nd Fri of the month, 9pm-1am £5, see facebook Club HD Arch 66, Whitworth St West, gay/mixed bar/club Friu & Sat nights, hdclubbing.com CLub lash Fetish at Legends, mixed fetish /SM night every 2nd Sat clublash.com Countdown to the 80’s at Eagle, 0161 228 6669, every Wednesday

Trans Resource Empowerment Cantre (TREC) Trans activities & info, transcentre.org.uk

Eateries

Organic at Spirit, after hours every Sat. POPTASTIC Pop/Indie at Alter Ego, 07974 248 247 poptastic.co.uk Rapture Club Nights Platt Chapel, 186 Wilmslow Rd, Women centred but all invited - 7.15 until LATE, search facebook RECREATION clubrecreation.co.uk

43 Funky Crop Shop 37 Bloom Street, 0161 237 1032, village hair shop.

44 Gayter Hairdressing 57

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

Helen smith FUNERALS 07870 541668, funerals that are individual fitting and true, helensmithfunerals.co.uk Inked Tattoo Studio 37 Bloom Street, 0161 237 1032 43

Into-Latex 0161 336 8723, for all your rubber gear, into-latex.co.uk

Jacqueline Hayes Therapy 07749498648, Counsellor and psychotherapist based in South Manchester, jachayes.co.uk

Hotels & B&B’s City Inn Manchester One Piccadilly Place, Auburn Street, 0161 242 1000, cityinn.com

CLYDEMOUNT GUEST HOUSE 866 Hyde Rd, Debdale Park, 0161 231 1515, bookings@clydemount.co.uk clydemount.co.uk 49 INTERNATIONAL HOTEL Gay 34 London Rd, 54 bedrooms, 0161 236 1010

LeVille Hotel Opening Soon Canal Street, levillehotel.com 34 Velvet Hotel 2 Canal Street, 0161 236 9003, velvetmanchester.com

Saunas 50 H2O Sauna 36-38 Sackville Street, 0161 236 3876, seven day sauna for gay and bi men, h2osauna.co.uk

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

Agencies

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

42nd St The SPACE, 87-91 Great Ancoats St, 0161 832 0170, advice for young LGB’s, fortysecondstreet.org.uk

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

Addaction 31 Robert St. 0161 214 0770, Prison resettlement for people with drug problems, addaction.org

38 DRIP COFFEE Fourways House,

57 Hilton Street, 0161 235 5100, relaxed and friendly coffee bar.

Eighth Day Vegan 111 Oxford Road, 0161 273 1850 39 Genghis khans 16 Chorlton Street, 0161 228 1631, genghiskhans.co.uk

LIVEBAIT Gay Friendly 22 Lloyd Street, 0161 817 4110, santeonline.co.uk

open mic night Women Only 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, Women only & alcohol free, last Wed of the month, 7-10pm, £1 admission. enquiries@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk

ESSENCE COUNSELLING info@essencecounselling.org www.essencecounselling.org

For info or to reserve a place: Tel: 0781 308 3242 email: paula650@aol.com www.lesbiandiners.co.uk

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

Eager Beaver Friday at Manto Bar Lounge

Morning Glory at Queer, after hours every Saturday

Dr Phil Tyson 0161 256 1890, Men’s Psychotherapist and relationship counselling. menstherapy.co.uk

Enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon, chill & chat over good food and a bottle of wine.

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

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

Mish Mash Cabaret Circle Club, every 2nd Friday of the month, 8pm £8, mishmash1.com

Counselling Services Manchester 07913781982, Experienced LGBT friendly woman counsellor based in Chorlton, counsellingservicesmanchester.co.uk

Meet at 2pm, 2nd Sunday of every other month in Manchester’s Gay Village.

Next Meetings: 11th September and 13th November

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

Disco Damaged Pop at Legends, 4th Sat of the month, clubdiscodamaged.com

Homoelectric at Legends, 1 Friday every other month homoelectric.com

0161 236 1398, clonezone.co.uk

supported by:

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

Deviant Fetish at Eagle, 0161 228 6669, last Sat of the month

st

42 Clone Zone 36-38 Sackville Street,

Let's Do Lunch

BRASSERIE Gay Friendly Albert Square, 0161 834 7633

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

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

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

40

27 Richmond Tea Rooms Richmond Street, 0161 237 9667, richmondtearooms.com

SAPPORO Teppanyaki 91-93 Liverpool Road, 0161 831 9888 Sparkles Cafe Gay Friendly 66 Tib Street

45

Pure Tanning 37-39 Bloom St, 0161 236 1788 47

QueensClean.co.uk Gay owned cleaning service. 0753 329 2451/ 0161 298 0335, queensclean@2die4.com 48 ROB 17 China Lane, 0161 236 6222, for all your leather, rubber and twisted gear, rob.com

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

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

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

Therapy In Manchester 07592340211, Professional psychotherapy and counselling in south Manchester, therapyinmanchester.co.uk

Villagio Canal St, 0161 344 5222, villaggiomanchester.co.uk

UPPERCUTS BARBERS The Arndale Market, 07784 156 693

Shops & Services 41 Bannatynes Health Club Gay Friendly 36-38 Whitworth St, 0161 236 6864

Becky Johnson Counselling 07841 837029, Experienced individual and couples counsellor. M2 and SK9 locations. integrative-psychotherapy.eu 47 Bloom Street Off License 37-39 Bloom St, 0161 236 1788

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

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

Addiction Dependency Solutions 29a Ardwick Green North, 0161 272 8844, for people with drug problems (or their freinds and family) adsolutions.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 The BHA Stretford Rd,0845 450 4247, health, social care & advocay services for BME & other marginalised communities thebha.org.uk Body Positive 39 Russell Road, Whalley Range, 0161 882 2200, bpnw.org.uk Community Alcohol Team 0161 230 6382, manchestercat.org Community Arts North West 46-50 Oldham St, 0161 234 2975 can.uk.com Crisis Point 24 Albert Road, Levenshulme, 0161 225 9500, mental health support & short term crisis accomodation, turning-point.co.uk George House Trust 77 Ardwick Green North, 0161 274 4499, ght.org.uk Gregory’s Place 69 Ardwick Green North, 0161 273 2901, support for children and young people with HIV gregorysplace@barnardos.org.uk

Greater Manchester Agencies Continued Lifeline 101-103 Oldham St, 0161 839 2054, lifeline.org.uk Lifeshare 0161 953 4069, male sex workers advice, lifeshare.co.uk Manchester Drug Service The Bridge, 104 Fairfield Street, 0161 273 4040 Manchester Rainbow support & Homecare 0161 720 6369, providing care and support to adults in their own homes and communities, m-r-s-h.co.uk Manchester Smoking Cessation 0161 205 5998 Pankhurst Centre 60-62 Nelson Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, 0161 273 5673, pankhurstcentre.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, enquiries@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk manchesterlcp.org.uk ThE Manchester Foyer 61 Booth St West, Hulme, 0161 276 1000, supported accomodation for young people 16-25’s, svha.co.uk The Village Citizen Advice Bureau 25a Hankinson Way, Salford Precinct, 0161 834 2005, employment services for LGB&T people thevillage.org.uk

Clinics South Manchester Sexual Health 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 MARRIED MENS GROUP support group meets 1st and 3rd Thursday 7.30-9pm at the LGF, 0845 3 30 30 30

Manchester Feminist Network Women only group, meets 2nd Sat of the month 2-4pm at Friends Meeting House

Gay Naturist SWIM all ages, nude_n_manchester@yahoo.co.uk

Manchester Lesbian & Gay Chorus 07944 056047, mlgc.org.uk

House of Rainbow 07751 693708, meets at the LGF, LGBTI friendly Christian fellowship - People who may have come to the UK are especially welcome. 2nd Tuesday of the month.

manchester lesbian community project drop in 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, for LB women, meets 2nd & 4th Thur of the month, 7-9pm, enquiries@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk

Icebreakers gay & bi men's support group meets 8pm every Wednesday at the LGF, 0845 3 30 30 30, icebreakersmanchester.org.uk

Manchester Parents Group 01565 733891, meets at the LGF, support for parents of LGB children, manpg.co.uk

Imaan @ The LGF, 0845 3 30 30 30, for LGBTQI Asian men 1st Thurs of the month 7.30-9.30pm, imaan.org.uk 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, 07906700114, info@keshetmanchester.org.uk Lesbian & Bi Women Wednesday Drop In 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, LB women to socialise and make friends away from the scene, every Wed 1-4pm, enquiries@lesbiancommunityproject.co.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 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, for LB women who have gained or are attempting to gain asylum status. enquiries@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk lesbian Culture Club Over the village but not over the hill? Monthly cultural socials for like minded women lesbiancultureclub@hotmail.co.uk lesbian discussion group 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, for LB women, meets 3rd Wed of the month, 7-8.30pm, to debate issues & share views enquiries@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk

Mango Men’s dining club 07866 909677, 1st Thursday of the month, mango.news@btopenworld.com

UMSU LGBT Society student group, for social events, campagins, drop-ins and support enquiries@lgbt.manchester.ac.uk

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 New Family Social 08432899457, peer support & social group for current & prospective LGBT adopters, foser carers& their children, every 2 months in south Manchester newfamilysocial.co.uk Older women’s drop in 0161 205 3851, London Scottish House, Mount St. 1st Tues of the month 2-4pm, social group aimed at women 50+, sue.nzilani@silverservice.org.uk Out In The City Social group for over 50’s LGBT. Drop in Weds at Mount St, activities every Thurs. outinthecity05.webs out to the theatre 01457 877 161, gay men’s social group, joncassun@yahoo.co.uk OutWrite 07931 915 620, LGBT writing group, outwrite.org.uk

Groups

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

queer skinhead brotherhood queerskinbrotherhood@googlemail.com

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

LGBT Meetup Group lgbt.socialnw@gmail.com

Book Swap 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, 3rd Wed of the month 6-7pm. For LB women to discuss books as a group or to choose books from the library enquiries@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk

LIK:T 07813 981 338, 49-51 Sydney St, run by and for young lesbian & bisexual women, 1st Monday of the month, likt_info@yahoo.com

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

Edward carpenter community Heart Circles 1st Sunday of the month, 3pm 49-51 Sidney Street, edwardcarpentercommunity.org.uk/ local-groups 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 Gaydio info@gaydio.co.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

lilac - lesbian cancer support 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 Deaf Triangle Club group for deaf LGBs, triangle@manchesterdeafcentre.com manchestertriangleclub.co.uk Manchester gay skinheads oi-skinhead.com

VADA LGBT community theatre group drama workshops & performances, all welcome, vada.theatre@gmail.com

Manchester Rubbermen social group for gay men into rubber/latex fetish, manchesterrubber.co.uk

Proud 2 b Parents 0161 226 0162 or 07506 515932, Moss Side Surestart Children’s Centre, 30 Selworthy Rd, for LGB&T parents and their children every 4th Saturday, m.roberts4@manchester.gov.uk

the hathersage centre 280 Upper Brook St, 0161 276 5200 / 5212

trans lesbian group 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, social and support for LB transwomen. enquiries@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk

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

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

Rapid HIV Testing @ the LGF Thurs 4-6pm, no appointment needed, results in 20 mins, 0845 3 30 30 30, lgf.org.uk

Transforum Ninian’s Church, Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton, 07500 741 955, TransGender discussion & mutual support group, meets 4th Sat of the month 3.30pm, jennyannebuk@yahoo.co.uk

Queer Youth Manchester 07092 031 086, info@queeryouth.net Rainbow Families peer support & monthly social for current & prospective lesbian parents and their children, rainbow_families@hotmail.com Rapture play day Platt Chapel, 186 Wilmslow Rd, For LGBT parents and kids, 3.30-5.30, search facebook salford youth service lgbt youth group at The Base, 0161 778 0702, steve.dyson@salford.gov.uk SM Dykes 49-51 Sidney Street, 07952 237 526, smdykes@smdykes.org.uk smdykes.org.uk sofa (support or fun activities) 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, for LBT or questioning women, Wed 7-9, peer support and fun activites sofaatlcp@gmail.com 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.

Please email any new or updated listing to: listings@lgf.org.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 Crown Green Bowling in the Manchester area, for lGBT people, woodsbowler@yahoo.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.

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 Manchester jessies Lesbian & bisexual women’s walking group, meets twice monthly manchesterjessies@googlemail.com MANCHESTER PRAIRIE DOGS 07960 351 882, line dance sessions, every Tues 7.30-9 beginners, 9-10.30 intermediate, manchesterprairiedogs.co.uk Manchester SHARKS Miles Platting Pool, Varley Street, water polo club manchestersharks.co.uk Manchester Stingers WFC Womens football club for all abilities, helenamcdonald@hotmail.com MANCHESTER VIXENS LADIES FC 07921 838 733, LBT football clubs, emphasis on fun, manchestervixens.co.uk manchester walking women its.elly@yahoo.co.uk 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 Social tennis club for all abilities, including beginners hour and women’s hour taster sessions northernacestennis.com

Please email any new or updated listing to: listings@lgf.org.uk NORTHERN FLIGHT BADMINTON CLUB For experienced players, northernflight.org.uk northern jump 07783 297965, volleyball group, northernjump.co.uk north Manchester LGBT Corner Safe new social web space for people of diverse sexualities, identities & lifestyles to come together, share thoughts & make new friends nmlgbtcorner@hotmail.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 OUTDOORLADS 0161 420 0001,outdoor pursuits org aimed at gay and bi lads.

Climbing, hiking, camping, caving and more, all abilities welcome, outdoorlads. com Out on Sunday 07775 671691, walking group, outonsunday.co.uk Out to Dance LGB&T Latin Dance group, check website for details, out2dance.org.uk Slam Dunkin’ Divas 07949604610, basketball group for lesbian/ bi/trans women, tue eve, slamdunkindivas@googlemail.com Touch Rugby Call on Paul 07775 022797 paul.scanlon-wells@rfl.uk.com Village Manchester FC gay men’s football club for every level, vmfc.co.uk Village Spartans Rugby Training sessions on Wednesday evening from 7pm, villagespartans.co.uk

Manchester Rainbow support & Homecare 0161 720 6369, providing care and support to adults in their own homes and communities, m-r-s-h.co.uk LGB&T police liaison officers North Bury - kevin.day@gmp.police.uk South Bury - andrew.hall@gmp.police.uk

GROUPS

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

The Barlow Suite Clinic Fairfield Hospital, Rochdale Old Rd, 0161 778 2755

Lesbian, Gay, Bisxeual, Trans Wellbeing Group 07896146109, 3-11 Drake St, Promoting postive mental health and wellbeing for all. rochdalemind.org.uk

Young Person’s Advisory Service (YPAS) Parsons Lane, 0161 761 2136, sexual health services for under 20’s.

SaLfOrD

groups

Brook Advisory 55 Regent Street, Eccles, 0161 707 9550

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 POG (Proud of Gayness) 0161 253 7733, Connexions, 13-15 Broad St, Bury, safe enviroment for young LGBTQ people to meet alt Mondays, 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

CROMA Pizza and Pasta 498-500 Wilbraham Road, 0161 881 1117, croma.biz The Lead Station 99 Beech Road, 0161 881 5559

aGENCIES & CLINICs

eccles gateway Church Street, 0161 212 5717, thurs 6-8.30pm, drop in. higher broughton health centre Bevendon Square, 0161 212 4500, Wed 6-8.30, Fri 9.30-11.30 drop in. irlam medical centre MacDonald Rd, 0161 212 4500, Wed. 6-8.30pm drop in.

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

TamEsIde pubs, clubs & bars

The feathers Show Bar 138 Stamford St Central, Ashton-under-Lyne, 0161 308 3586.

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

CLINICs

Sexual Health Clinic Ashton Primary Care Centre, 193 Old Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, 0161 342 7101

Goodman Sexual Health Clinic Lancs Burn Health Centre, Churchill Way, 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.

GROUPS

Manchester Rainbow support & Homecare 0161 720 6369, providing care and support to adults in their own homes and communities, m-r-s-h.co.uk

CLINICs

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

aGENCIES

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

GROUPS

No Attitude 0161 912 2453, LGB youth group.

Glossop LGBT group glossoplgbt.co.uk

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

trAfFoRd The Trafford Centre for Sexual Health Trafford Hospital, Moorside Rd, 0161 746 2621 Relate 346 Chester Road, 0161 872 0303

CITIZENS ADVICE, 0844 644019 HIV Support Group 0161 912 4611, hivpractitioner@trafford.org.uk

WEEKENDERS lesbian and gay walking group based in the North of England, geocities.com/weekenders_uk

shops

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

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

WIGan

wheelies fc Manchester Leisure Sports Centre, mixed women’s football every Sun 11am-1pm.

sauNas

Groups

pubs, clubs & bars

BoLtOn

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

pubs, clubs & bars

OlDhAm

The Star 11 Bow St, 01204 361113

The Brewery Tavern 42 George Street, 0161 287 0751

club NightS

THE ABBEY INN Mixed 77 West Street.

The Cotton Tree Prince St, 07861896500

Twisty tuesdays J2 & The Attic Square

aGENCIES & CLINICs

Bolton Centre for Sexual Health Minerva Road, Farnworth, 01204 390771 HIV worker Emma Massey 01204 390772

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

CLINICs

Out in Salford LGBT Network meeting regularly in Salford to socialise and looks at ways of improving LGB&T life in the city, outinsalford.org.uk SALFORD LGBT YOUTH Group The Beacon Centre, 1 London Street, 0161 778 0700, safe space for young LGBT people loads of different activities. chris.rice@salford.gov.uk

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

sTOcKpOrT

SaUNaS

CLINICs

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

ARDEN ARMS 23 Millgate, 0161 480 2185

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

Pennine Sauna 96 Rochdale Rd, Shaw, 01706 842 000

GUM DEPARTMENT Stepping Hill Hospital, 0161 419 5370

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

GROUPS

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

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

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

ROcHdAlE

aGENCIES

shops

CLINICS

groups

Nice n Naughty rear of 72 Newport St, 01204 396 944, nicennaughty.co.uk

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

pubs, clubs & bars

Britannia Inn 01706 670411, 4 Lomax St

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 Baillie Street, 0161 627 8753

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.

Officers Club Gay Friendly Barrack Sq.

CLINICs

Sexual Health Clinic The Shine Centre, No 6, Galleries Shopping Centre, 01942 483188 Sexual Health Clinic leigh Leigh Health Centre Ent. C, The Avenue, 01942 483188

GROUPS

B.you project 01942 203 363, for LGBTQ young people (11-25), b.youproject@wigan. gov.uk Open Minds Group 07759 352 974, group for 18-25yr old LGBTQ, openmindslgbt@gmail.com Younger People’s LGBQ Group 01942 483180, 8 Ashton Gallery, for under 19’s, Tues 6-8pm louise@ brookwiganandleigh.org.uk

wYtHenShAwE aGENCIES

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

SOLICITORS

B. J. McKENNA & CO 182A Heaton Moor Road, Heaton Moor, 0161 432 5757, bj.mckenna@zen.co.uk O’Neill Patient Solicitors Chester House, 2 Chester Rd, Hazel Grove, 0161 483 8555, oneillpatient.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

Blackpool & Cumbria

17 58

10 25 9

52

Dickson Raod 45 39 40 61

15

11 10 2 1

15 14 12 36 33 54 31 General Street

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General Stree

22 13 21 27 63

Promemade

Promemade

30 11

3

Talbot Road

62 37

Queen Street

55

50 14 53

34 19

Springfield Road

60

23 29 42 7 35 44 22 Banks Street

Cocker Street

Yates Street

Mount Street

Pleasant Street

30

24 51 Lord Street

et

59

5 32 Dickson Road

8 31 48 64

26

6

Topping Street 34 20 12 32

6

4

13

Abingdon Street

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Abingdon Stree

26

28 7 27

Stree t S. King St. 25

5

Dickson Raod

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gS tre

20

3 38 17 Lord Street 4 49 56 2 16 33

18

Kin

18

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Chur ch

Cookson Street 24

57 47

46

Caunce St.

High Street

21

16 19

Promemade

Stree t

41

Loepold Gr.

Chur ch

High Street 28

Charles St.

High Street

George St.

23

Milbourne St.

Blackpool Coronation St.

61

Promemade North Pier

88 Hotel Indicator 88 Venue Indicator

Train Station Tram Stop

Hotels Blackpool Accommodation for Gays (BAGs) 56 High Street, 07762938783, bagsblackpool.com 1 Anchorage 18 Withnell Road, 01253 341771

Ash Lea Hotel 76 Lord Street, 01253 628161, ashleahotel.com 2

3 Astor Hotel 83-85 Lord Street, 01253 290669 4

Athol 3 Mount St 01253 624918

5 Belvedere 77 Dickson Road, 01253 624733, belvederehotel@fsmail.net belvederehotel.biz 6 BLENHEIM HOTEL 75 Lord Street, 01253 623204, blenheimhotel.org.uk

bracondale Guest House 14 Warley Road, 01253 351650, nosmokingblackpool.co.uk 64

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

7

Brene Hotel 37 Lord St, 01253 621854

8 Brooklyn 7 Wilton Parade, 01253 627003

Brownes hotel 15 Vance Rd, 01253 753089 browneshotel.co.uk 61

9

Camelot 80 Hornby Rd, 01253 620518

10

CHaps 9 Cocker St, 01253 620541

Christine’s 1 Lord Street, 01235 312260, christineshotel@fsmail.net 11

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

£

Cash Machine Blackpool Tower

Parking Pedestrianised

62 Granby lodge 15-17 Lord St, 01253 627842, granbylodge.com 19

Guyz 16 Lord Street, 01253 622488

Heatherdale Lodge 2 Pleasant Street, 1253 626268 20

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

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

Pier View 16 Banks St, 01253 624555

Rubens Hotel 39 Lord Street, 01253 622920

Legends Hotel 45 Lord Street, 01253 620300

Sandylands 47 Banks St, 01253 294670

23

Lenbrook 69 Lord St, 01253 626737

42

43

44 Seacroft Suites 27 Lord Street, 01253 628304

Bay liberty's on the square Hotel Cocker Square, 01253 291155 bayhotels.co.uk

46 Sunnyside 16 Charles Street, 01253 622983

26 Lonsdale Hotel 25 Cocker Street, 01253 621628

47 SUSSEX HOTEL 14-16 Pleasant Street, 01253 627824

Lyndale Court Hotel 01253 354033

THE Berkeley 6 Queens Promenade, 01253 351244 selfcatering.tv

25

27

28

Lynmar 74 High St, 01253 290046

29

Mardi Gras 41 Lord St, 01253 751087

37 Mardi Gras 2 9-11 Lord Street, 01253 628073

Manhattan 27 Cocker St, 01253 290070, manhattanblackpool.co.uk 30 McHALL’S HOTEL 5-7 Lord Street, 01253 625661

Merecliff Hotel 24 Holmfield Road, 01253 356858 31

DERBY HOTEL, 2 Derby Rd, 01253 623708

14

Dixon 84 Dickson Rd, 01253 752379

33

16

FOUR SEASONS 74 Lord St, 01253 622583

New Hertford 18 Lord Street, 01253 621831

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

Park House 81 Lord St, 01253 314571

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

13

Gabrielle’s Women Only 77 Lord Street, 01253 295565

38

41 PRIDE LODGE 12 High Street, 01253 314752, pridelodge.com

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

17

63 north grange hotel 238 Queens Promenade, 01253 351409, info@northgrangehotel.com northgrangehotel.com

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

24

32

New Bond 72 Lord St, 01253 628123

34

35 North Central Hoilday Flats 29 Lord Street, 01253 621831

NORTHERN LIGHTS HOTEL 26 Springfield Road, 01253 317016 36

1

THE GYNWAY HOTEL 205 Dickson Rd, 01253 314747, gynwayblackpool.com 48

49 The Wilcot Hotel 80 Lord Street, 01253 621101 50 Thorncliffe 63 Dickson Road, 01253 622508

Trades Men Only 51 Lord Street, 01253 626401 51

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

Pubs, Bars & Clubs 1

Buzz 5 Dickson Road, 01253 649153,

Queen Vic’s Bar 23 Dickson Rd, 07946 528153 2 Funny Girls Gay Friendly 5 Dickson Rd, 01253 649154, funnygirlsonline.co.uk 3 KAOS Mixed 38-42 Queen St, 01253 318798, kaosbar.co.uk 8 Lucy’s at TABOO Mixed 69-71 Talbot Road, 01253 622573, lucysattobago.co.uk 5 Mardi Gras Mixed 114 Talbot Road, 01253 296262

New Road Inn Gay Friendly 244 Talbot Road, 01253 422691 7 ROXY’S Gay Friendly 23 Queen Street, 01253 622573, roxysonline.co.uk 9 The Alabama Showboat Mixed 1 Cocker Sq, 01253 291155, thealabama.co.uk

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

52

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

53

VIDELLA HOTEL 78-82 Dickson Road, 01253 621201, videllahotel.com

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

54 Village Hotel 14 Springfield Road, 01253 290840

Eateries

VALENTINE HOTEL 35 Dickson Road, 01253 622775, valentinehotelblackpool.co.uk

55 warwick Holiday flats 39 Bank Street, 01253 623787

Waves Hotel 12 Wilshaw Rd, 01253 593312, john@wavesblackpool.co.uk Westfield House 78 Lord Street, 01253 621992, westfieldhouse.co.uk 56

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

12 AJ’s Bistro Gay Friendly 65 Topping Street, 01253 626111 14

Buddies Chippy 28 Dickson Street

53 Cascades Restaurant Gay Owned 82 Dickson Road, 01253 62120, cascadesrestaurant.co.uk 15 Café Latté 30-32 Dickson St, 01253 752077

Cumbria

Don Antonio 91 Redbank Rd, 01253 352440

fuel sandwich Bar 33 Adingdon Street, 01253 749813 fuelblackpool.com

AGENCIES

16 Mandarin Cantonese Restaurant Gay Friendly 27 Clifton Street, 01253 622687

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

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

AmBlESidE

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

hotEls & B&B’s

Chapel House Kirkstone Road, 01539 433 143, chapelhouse-ambleside.co.uk

The Buttery 1 Cheapside, 01253 296667 19

Chestnut Villa Keswick Road, Grassmere 01539 435 218, gay run B&B, chestnutvilla.com

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

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

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

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

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

WET WET WET SAUNA 1-3 Charles Street, 01253 751 199, wetwetwetsauna.co.uk 24

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

City Learning Centre Bathhurst St, 01253 478 309, clcbusiness.com 26 Connect 01253 751047, connectyoungpeople.co.uk 27 Connexions 2-8 Market Street, 01253 754840, connexions-direct.com

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

NHS Walk-In Centre Whitegate Health Centre, 150 Whitegate Dr, 01253 953953

richmond fellowship 07876 568260 or 01253 780952, Metal Health support to aid recovery for LGB&T people.

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

Solicitors

BarRow iN FuRNESs CliNICS

Waxing Specialist & Male Grooming Cleveleys, 07950 944460 kt.lamb@live.co.uk

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

Groups

aGENCIES

18/25 LGBTQ Support Group 07875355390 or 07876568260, mixed support group to promote wellbeing.

25/55 Icebreakers 07875 355 390, gay and bi men 22-25. Meets last Tues of the month, 7-9pm.

55+ older men’s Luncheon Club 07875 355 390, meets Thurs 12.30pm for light lunch and chat.

Furness & South Lakes LGB&T Forum 24 hr helpline, drop in service and youth club, furnesslgbt@gmail.com

Freedom 07875 355390, laid back mixed m2f &f2m space, 12-2 Mondays,

cArLisLe

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

Cumberland Infirmary 01228 814 814

Lancashire Lad’s group (trans f to m) 07875 355390, meets 7-9pm 2nd Tues of the month for chat and support.

aGENCIES

lgbt forum 0787 355 390, Informal meeting between LGB&T communities & local agencies. Meets: Town Hall every 2nd Thurs monthly at 6.30pm. lgbtforum@hotmail.com LGBT PACT (Police & Community together) 07940979610, police and community meetings 1st Thurs of the month.

Liberty Church North Shore Methodist, Dickson Rd, 07955 597771, libertychurchblackpool.org.uk Ok2be 07827983392, support service for young people up to 19 years of age, amanda.hayes@blackpool.gov.uk

Shops & Services

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

THE GARDEN PLACE Gay Owned Cropper Road, 01253 699987

pro active young gays and lesbians (paygal) Wendy Phizacklea, 01229 836 426, 07742 353 520, wendyp.rorys@googlemail.com

engayge 01253 477911, Blackpool Coastal Housing’s LGBT Tenants Forum.

5.30pm 2nd Tues/mnth @ 102 Dickson Rd sandy.o’grady@bch.co.uk

Stepping Stones LGBT Bereavement Group 07989393232/07753265506, 1st & 3rd Tues/month at 7.15pm

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

Freinds & Supporters of Furness LGBT Community c/o Multicultural Centre, 07833 447604, klwicks@hotmail.co.uk

south lakes Girls 07952278760 (evenings), Various nights for all trans people or those querying. trans.lakes.nights@ googlemail.com

Relaxation group 01253 311431 at SHIVER

32

GrOUPS

Dorothy’s Tea Party Social group for 30+ gay men. Sundays 4-6pm, The Rock Café, Blackpool. 07742 2904836

31

Atkinson, Cave & Stuart 45 Springfield Road, 01253 293151

Connexions 237-241 Dalton Road, 01229 824052

Sugar Lounge 07875 355390, gay & bi women’s group meet 7-9pm 1st Tues of the month The Renaissance Transgender Support Group 01253314717,meetings twice monthly, gynwayblackpool.com/ renaissance_transgender_forum.htm Transgender Freedom Group On the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Monday of the month 12-2pm and 1st Wednesday 6-8pm 01253629400 transgenderblackpool.com Transinclusion group (M2F) 7-9pm 3rd Tues of the month for an informal chat, 07875 355 390

CliNICS

Reg. Charity No. 1070904

08453303030 www.lgf.org.uk

KenDal CliNICS

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

Connexions 28 Lowther Street, 01228 596272

aGENCIES

outreach cumbria lgbt project 07896 250662, outreachcumbria@live.co.uk

Groups

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.

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

Connexions 124 Highgate, 01539 730045 Cumbria LesbIans Network 01539 741 285, 1st Saturday of the month, clnetwork@sky.com south lakes lesbians for lesbian & bi women meeting monthly in Kendal for socials etc & walking groups, southlakeslesbians@gmail.com

Maryport HOTELS & B&B’s

Calder House Hotel Gay Owned The Banks, Seascale, 019467 28538, calderhouse.co.uk

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 CliNICS

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

PUBS, CLUBS & BarS

Steam packet inn 51 Stanley St, 01900 62186

Merseyside & Lancashire

Liverpool Stanley Street Quarter 21

Tithebarn Street

Tithebarn Street

Groups

Parents & Carers Group 0870 9908996

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

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

ESPRESSO PLUS COFFEE Bar & Bistro 173 Rose Lane, Mossley Hill, 0151 724 6161 OSQA’S Oldham Square, 0151 709 6611, osqa-restaurant.co.uk

Puschka Gay Owned 16 Rodney St, 0151 708 8698 puschka.co.uk 16 THE MONRO Gastropub 92-94 Duke St, 0151 707 9933, themonro.com

Hotels The Feathers 119-125 Mount Pleasant St, 0151 709 9655, feathers.uk.com TRAVEL INN METRO Vernon St, 0870 238 3325

AIDS Helpline 0151 709 9000

Sahir House 2nd Floor, 151 Dale St, 0151 237 3989, providing free & confidential services to people & families living with or affected HIV on Merseyside, info@sahir.uk.com Sexual Health Clinic Royal Liverpool Hospital, Prescot St, 0151 706 2620 17 The Armistead Project 1 Stanley St,

0870 9908996, armisteadcentre.co.uk

Club Nights

Shops

BROKEN BISCUITS Monthly at Jupiters Bar

18 NEWS FROM NOWHERE Bookshop

Gen-e-sis Vinyl Vasement Bar, Lark Lane, Women’s night last Sunday of the month.

Reg. Charity No. 1070904

Piccadilly Train Station

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

10 Cumberland St, 0151 236 7786, masqueradebar.com

FEDERATION LIVERPOOL Monthly gay night, clubfederation.com

Bold Street

15 The Masquerade Mixed

Bold Street

35 Victoria Street, 0151 231 6831

Victoria Street

Roscoe Lane

14 The Lisbon Mixed

2

Berry Street

236 1001, splashsauna.com

13 Superstar Boudoir 22-24 Stanley St, 0151 236 6633

et

Back Berry Stre

19

Eateries

Mathew Street

10 Poste House

Bar Wicked 25 Stanley Street

Roscoe Place

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

Agencies & Clinics

11

FACT

Culquitt Street

Culquitt Street

21 Splash Sauna 5 Fazakerley St, 0151

Navy Bar 27-29 Stanley Street, 0151 231 1456 23 Cumberland Street

20

18

Wood Street

Modo Gay Friendly Concert Square

9

Wood Street

8

Back Culquitt Stre

London Road

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

Motor City Secrets, Stanley Street, monthly alt night 1st Fri of the month.

et

1

Seel Street

0151 236 4832

Victoria Street,

Fleet Street

12 Heaven

Seel Street

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

16

14

Victoria Street

Parr Street

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

Slater Street

Duke Street

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

10

Sir Thomas Street

Baby D Temple Street

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

4

13

Stanley Street

12

Temple Street

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

Temple Lane

Pubs, Clubs & Bars

Princes Street

North John Street

£

Train Station Parking Cash Machine Pedestrianised

3

9

15

Cumberland Street

11

Davies Street

17

88 Listing Indicator

Concert Street

8

Dale Street

Dale Street

Sweeting Street

Duke Street

5

Hockenhall All.

6

Eberle Street

7

Vernon Street

Tempest Hey

Hackins Hey

Exchange Street East

£ £

Around FACT

96 Bold Street, 0151 708 7270, newsfromnowhere.co.uk 19

nice 'n' naughty 85 Seel Street

20

nice 'n' naughty 16 Colquitt Street

SAunas

Gay Youth ‘r’ OUT (GYRO) 36 Bolton St, 0151 203 0824, LGB Tyouth 13-25, gyro.org.uk Liverpool HopeLGBT Liverpool Hope Student Union, Hope Park, 0151 291 3651, lgbt@hope.ac.uk Liverpool Guild LGBT Society 160 Mount Pleasant, 0151 794 4165, liverpoollgbt@googlemail.com lgos.org/lgbt liverpool lgbt Choir For all abilities, meets Sun 6-8.30pm at St Stephens Church, liverpoolgaychoir@hotmail.co.uk liverpool lgbt community network LCVS, 151 Dale St, 0151 227 5177.

Liverpool South Gay Dining Club 2nd Sat of month, igdc@talk21.com Liverpool Students Union LGBT Society 0151 231 4947 Liverpool Women’s Book Group Meets last Tues of the month, liverpoolbookgroup.moonfruit.com MerseyBois Peer support/social group for Transguys. Monthly at Armistead Centre, weekly socials on Wednesday evenings liverpool.ftm@gmail.com 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

08453303030 www.lgf.org.uk

QUEST LGBT CATHOLICS 07983 021 589, 2nd Saturday of month, liverpool@questgaycatholic.org.uk SPIRIT LEVEL 0151 227 1893, Transgender support group.

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

Websites 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

Lancashire

Please email any new or updated listing to: listings@lgf.org.uk utopia (Ellesmere Port) Whitby Rd, Ellesmere Port, 0151 348 5621, 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

BlACkBuRn PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

Bar Ibiza 43 Darwen St, 01254 695379 C’est La Vie 11-15 Market St, 01254 691877 Stagedoor 23 Mincing Lane, 01254 674761

agENciEs & CLINICS

bsure 0845 602 0894, Chlamydia screening for under 25’s, b.sure@bwdpct.nhs.uk b-sure.org.uk Lancashire County Council Blackburn with Darwen HIV Partnership 0300 365 0070, health and social care service porivders for those living with HIV across Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen.

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

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

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

Flex II Tolver St, 01744 758 439

CLUB NIGHT

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

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

GROUPS

WORK Bridge Street, every Wednesday.

tHE wIrRaL PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

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

DV8 @ The Picture House 46 Conway Street, Birkenhead, 0151 647 8883, Wed 8pm till late, hello@thepicturehousewirral.co.uk

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

Tallulah’s Late Lounge Rowson St/ Victoria Rd, New Brighton, 0774 7561587, Wed nights till late, marion@tallulas.co.uk

Cygnets2Swans Jarman Centre, 53 James St, supports those who are or considering going through gender reassignment, both Trans Women and Trans Men, 4th Tuesday of the month 6.30pm-8.30pm, cygnets2swans.org.uk

CLINICs

Sexual Health Clinic Arrowe Park Road, 0151 604 7339

SaUNas

Burnley

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

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

aGENCIES

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

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

GROUPS

Freedom Trans Youth Foundation, freedom@freedom.zzn.com freedom.btik.com Gay Wirral 0151 666 9890, Terrence Higgins Trust, 5 Bridge St, for all Wirral’s LGBT Community, contact for details, gaywirral@hotmail.co.uk 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 TransWirral 90-92 Chester St, 07833 385126, for TS/Intersex, transwirral.btik.com WIRRAL DIVAS 0151 666 9890, weekly lesbian and bisexual women’s group.

WIRRAL TRANSISTERs 07759045117, support/social group for TV/CD/TS, 1st Tues of the month, mazykate@toucansurf.com 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

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

BACKSTAGE BAR 135 St James St, 01282 414895

GuyS as dolls showbar 133-135 St James St.

CLINICS

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

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

Hangout Harry Reloaded Fridays 11pm-4am 134 Church Street. PR1 3BT. Search Hangout Harry on Facebook

LanCAStEr

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

CLUB NIGHTS

DANCING DIVA For more information, dancingdiva5@hotmail.com

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

THE DUKE OF LANCASTER 75 Church Street, 01524 842843, info@thedukeoflancaster.com Gregson Café/Bar Gregson Community and Arts Centre, 33 Moorgate, 01524 849959, gregson.co.uk The New Albert 84 King Street, 7 days a week, serving food and entertainment, thenewalbert.com

GROUPS

Out in the Bay 07960 462 921, one to one friendship service, support group 3rd Thurs of month in Lancaster Library 7-9pm. Coffee afternoons Fri 2-4 at Sulyard St, Lancaster. lgbtoutinthebay@googlemail.com PYRO (Proud Youth Are Out) 07717 301821, 13-25 years, naomh.mckee@lancashire.gov.uk

CLINICS

Lancaster GUM Clinic Ashton Community Care Centre, 08450590015, apps only (in the next 48 hrs)

LeYlAnd GROUPS

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

MorEcAmBe

Lancashire County Council Blackburn with Darwen HIV Partnership 0300 365 0070, health and social care service porivders for those living with HIV across Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen.

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 Lancashire LGBT Centre Last Tues of the month at The Urban Exchange, Mount Street, Preston between 6pm-8pm. lancashirelgbt.co.uk Lesbian Connection lesbian social group meeting monthly lesbian_connection@yahoo.co.uk Pozitive Lancashire 07599 545540, info & advice on HIV to people living in the Lanc. & Gtr Manc. area, pozitivelancashire. co.uk

CLINICS

uclan lgbt employee network lgbtstaff@uclan.ac.uk

Morecambe GUM Clinic Queen Victoria Centre, Thornton Rd, 08450590015, apps only (in the next 48 hrs)

VIBE c/o Young Peoples Service, 07814 493750, LGBT youth group meets Thurs evenings. yps.lancashire.gov.uk/get-vibe

Under 19 Young Person’s GUM & Contraception Drop In The Information Shop, Mon & Thurs 3:30 -5:30

skelmersdale

GROUPS

GROUPS

Out in the Bay 07960 462 921, one to one friendship service, support group meets 6-8 on the last Thursday of the Month at Morecambe Library. lgbtoutinthebay@googlemail.com

OrMsKIrk

Quaker L&G Fellowship 16 Newfield Drive, Nelson, 01282 605724

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

Rossendale LGBT Youth Group 07817 541242, LGBT youth from Rossendale, Accrington and Burnley, rossendalelgbt@hotmail.co.uk

GROUPS

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

drugline lancashire 2 Union Court, 01772 825 684, enquiries@druglinelancs.co.uk

UCLAN LGBT Society Every Thurs at 8.30pm ro@cantthinkstraight.co.uk (female) or martin@cantthinkstraight.co.uk

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

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

GROUPS

AGENCIES

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

E.A.G.L.E. - EQUALITY FOR ALL GAYS & LESBIANS EVERYWHERE 07972 507679, meets Tues 12-2pm at Burnely Town Hall, informal LGBT drop in, e.a.g.l.e_support@ hotmail.com

CHOrlEy

CLINICS

CLUB NIGHTS

CLINICS

edgehill university LGBT society search on facebook

PrEstOn

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

WE’RE HERE IF YOU NEED US

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

Blowing Wild Club Grimshaw Street, open Thurs, Fri, Sat, 07752 512232 Oblivion 12-14 Grimshaw St, 01772 252876

08453303030 www.lgf.org.uk

Cheshire, Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Isle of Man & North West

Cheshire

North West

CRewE

MACcLeSfIelD

WEBSITEs

CLINICs

CLINICs

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

aGENCIES

GROUPS

j4ldating.com a lesbian dating site. j4ldating.com

Sexual Health Clinic Leighton Hospital, Middlewich Rd, 01270 612255 BP Cheshire & North Wales PO Box 321, 01270 653 150 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

UTOPIA 01270 253633, LGB youth group Weds evenings, utopialgb.org.uk

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

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

NOrtHWicH SaUNaS

Northwich Sauna Winnington Lane, 01606 784881, sauna-sauna.info

RunCoRN CLINIC

Sexual Health Halton General Hospital, 01928 753217

EaTERIES

The Canalside Bar & Restaurant 01928 580 669, 45-47 Canal Street.

GROUPS

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

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

WARringToN

GROUPS

Club Nights

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.

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

White Hart Sankey Street, 01925 241994

Exposed Showbar, 15/17 Friars Gate, alexvalentine@mail.com

CLINIC

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

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

Staffordshire PUBS, CLUBS & BarS

GROUPS

Fierce 3 Goodson St, Hanley.

LGBT Network 01782 266998, charity providing support, advice for all LGBT & social groups, gaystoke.com

The Pink Lounge Piccadilly, Hanley, pinkloungebarandclub.com The Factory 67 Bryan St, Stoke, thefactorystoke.co.uk

Sexual Health Clinic Lovely Lane, 01925 662476

The Polari Lounge 52 Piccadilly, Hanley, 01782 212200, gaystoke.com

aGENCIES

SaUNas

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.

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

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

SPACE 01543 419002, LGBT Youth Group (16-21), youth@mesmen.co.uk

Gay Healthy Alliance Project PO Box 539, 01925 631101

CLINIC & agENCIES

Staffordshire Buddies PO Box 474, Stoke on Trent, 01782 201251

GROUPS

Gaylife North Staffordshire 0300 1230970

Chester Uni Warrington Campus LGBT Society search facebook

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

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

UTOPIA (chester) 0151 348 5621, LGB youth group meets every Weds 7.30-9pm, chester@utopialgb.org.uk

FLUID (Freedon to Love Ur IDentity) 07747 473 829 LGBT Warrington lgbtwarrington.co.uk

Yorkshire HUDdERsFiEld

HeBDEn BrIdgE

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

THE GREYHOUND Manchester Road, 01484 420 742

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

GROUPS

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

Inn on the Bridge Gay Owned & Run 1-5 Market St, 01422 844 229, inn_on_the_bridge@live.co.uk NELSONS WINE BAR Crown St, 01422 844 782

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

Isle of Man HOTELS

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

DEVONIAN HOTEL Gay Friendly 4 Sherwood Terrace, Douglas, 01624 674676, thedevonian.co.uk

Guys & Dolls Showbar Gay Friendly Peverill Sq, Douglas,

Reg. Charity No. 1070904

08453303030 www.lgf.org.uk

Ending Homophobia,

Empowering People

www.lgf.org.uk

Registered Charity No.1070904