outnorthwest issue 99

NEWS•COMMENT •HEALTH•SPORT•LISTINGS

BURSTING WITH PRIDE! AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2010 ISSUE 99

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Registered Charity No.1070904

PUBLISHED BY

BELINDA CARLISLE! BEVERLEY KNIGHT! HEAVEN 17! + MORE!

10 Ending Homophobia,

Empowering People

www.lgf.org.uk

2000-2010 CELEBRATING TEN YEARS EN LISTW NO !

ELLIS GLAMS IT UP FOR

!

E V I L KELIS

WOW!

NSATION E S P O P L A N IVE! INTERNATIO DAMN RIGHT! ESTER PRIDE TO PERFORM L JOINS MANCH

EDITOR’S LETTER AUG - SEPT 2010

Bursting with Pride!

First of all, if you’re picking up outnorthwest for the first time at Manchester Pride, welcome to our fantastic city, and to the country’s favourite Pride event! e This is the eleventh Manchester Prid that s year ten the in red we’ve cove outnorthwest has been around, and s judging from the line-up and the plan best the be to up ing shap it’s we’ve seen year’s one yet. We’ve got full details of this rview event in this issue, including an inte If ier.

Croz ie Jack ctor Dire ival with Fest you e hop we y, part the to ing you’re com . time zing have an ama of Next issue we’re having a celebration ary ivers ann 10th the k mar we as our own the and on, dati Foun Gay & ian of The Lesb need we and t; wes orth outn of 100th issue YOUR help.

g to As part of our next issue, we’re goin ures of pict your to es devote a fair few pag North the in life T LGB the last ten years of e your shar to keen rly West. We’re particula ten last the over ts pictures of LGBT even ures pict see to love years, but we’d also ts of your daily life. The fashions, the nigh ds frien the (and have out, the friends you a is this that keen e you’ve lost)... we’r North celebration of what queer life in the de. deca last the in West has been like

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e-mail If you have images to share, please My t. wes orth outn at them to me here on@ e-mail address is grahame.roberts much as de inclu to try lgf.org.uk. Please ible, poss as ure pict your information about se plea ple, peo r and if it shows othe g make sure that they are OK with it bein published. er, but We’ll be back at the end of Septemb have and , issue this y enjo in the meantime e!

Prid ter ches Man E SAF a FANTASTIC and

Grahame

LGF IMPACT REPORT 2010 This issue of outnorthwest also contains The Lesbian & Gay Foundation’s Impact Report for 2010. Inside you’ll find a summary of some of the work and achievements of the organisation over the last year. To find out more about the work of the LGF, or to get involved in our work, call us on 0845 3 30 30 30, or visit our website for regular updates www.lgf.org.uk

f.org.u www.lg

36 } REGULARS 06 ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! New regular feature. How the Enough Is Enough campaign is making a difference and how you can get involved.

08 THE AGENDA

An in-depth look at the issues affecting us over the next two months. This issue, as well as Manchester Pride, we focus on The Michael Causer Foundation and the launch of a new Trans Hate Crime resource.

17 FABULOUS!

It’s been a busy couple of months, with loads of fundraising!

48 LISTINGS

The most comprehensive guide to the LGBT north west.

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OUR COVERAGE OF MANCHESTER PRIDE STARTS HERE!

Registered Charity No.1070904

Ellis: Photography by Craig Fleming www.craig-fleming.com Make-up and styling by Jon Mort - www.jonmort.co.uk

MISS!

IT’S ALL ABOUT US...

DON’T

10 Ending Homophobia,

Empowering People

www.lgf.org.uk

2000-2010 CELEBRATING TEN YEARS

}CONTENTS } FEATURES

22 MANCHESTER PRIDE! Manchester Pride is here! We’ve got the lowdown on all the highlights this year.

PLUS! An interview with rising local star Ellis.

24 PULLOUT MAP

The Village can become a difficult place to navigate over Manchester Pride. Just as well we’ve got your official site map!

} WELLBEING 20 GHT

George House Trust on the rise of Grindr and their 25th anniversary celebrations.

40 DRUGS ‘R’ US?

Drug use and how you can have a safe and happy Pride.

36 BOYS TO MEN

We talk to guys of all ages about their attitudes to safer sex.

42 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Domestic violence can be one of the most devastating experiences a person can have. But there is help out there...

} OUT & ABOUT 46 GAME ON!

Manchester Pride isn’t just about partyung until you fall over. There’s some sports, games and exercise to be had too!

47 TAKING THE PLUNGE!

Some brave LGF’ers are taking the plunge in a cold Scottish loch. Find out how you can help support them!

outnorthwest is published every two months by The Lesbian & Gay Foundation, 5 Richmond Street, MANCHESTER General Enquiries: 0161 235 8035 E-mail: grahame@lgf.org.uk Cover Model: Ellis. Concept: Paul Graham Photography: Craig Fleming Make-Up: Jon Mort

}EDITOR & LAYOUT Grahame Robertson }DESIGN Mark Eastwood }NEWS EDITOR Joanne Dunning }HEALTH TEAM EDITORS Daniel Gomez and Peter Boyle }WEB EDITOR Marc Robinson }LISTINGS EDITOR Mark Eastwood }DISTRIBUTION Kate Hardy and Peter Boyle CONTRIBUTORS Paul Graham; Paul Swan; Emma Peate; Paul Martin; Annie Emery; Andrew Gilliver; Peter Boyle; Daniel Gomez; Kate Hardy; Paul Fairweather; GHT; Colin Armstead; Samantha Days; Adam Winter; Albert Kennedy Trust; Marc Robinson; Sian Payne; Darren Knight; Joe Spencer; Lucy Rolfe; Sara Ashworth.

SPECIAL THANKS Jackie Crozier and ALL staff and volunteers at Manchester Pride; Ian and Toby at Gaydio; Ellis; Craig Fleming; Jon Mort; VBA; Tracey at New York New York; Dave Hilton; The Michael Causer Foundation; Liverpool LGBT Network; Joe Paterson; Catherine Poulton; Sarah Quinn; all the guys who took part in our Boys To Men feature; Paul Jones; and to all of our supporters.

ADVERTISING For information on advertising in outnorthwest, please contact us on 0161 235 8035. Or e-mail grahame@lgf.org.uk 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.

Beautiful, dangerous people!

obia moph o H t ins N aga O I T gh C A k/enou

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f.org.u www.lg

ACTION!

TAKING

HOW YOU ARE TAKING ACTION AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA EVERY DAY!

OUR HERO JOE! “I want to tour schools across the country with the presentation I’ve been using, and show them that Enough Is Enough! Having someone their own age speaking to them means teenagers take in the message a lot more.”

Joe Paterson, 15

Meet 15 year old Joe Paterson who is taking direct action against homophobia at his own school!

Joe Paterson is 15 years old and has been taking positive action against homophobia, by giving presentations in his school assemblies about Enough is Enough! and the importance of challenging homophobia.

When The Lesbian & Gay Foundation launched Enough Is Enough! on International Day against Homophobia in May, Joe was one of the first people to get involved.

Due to overwhelming requests from readers wanting to know how he is getting on we caught up with Joe to ask him about his progress and what motivated him to talk about homophobia in his school.

“I’d been bullied for some time, and I wanted to make people realise that just making a stupid passing comment can have a serious

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effect. “ Joe tells outnorthwest. “It’s good to report bullying (which I did) but I knew I needed to get the message across to the whole school, not just specific people.”

Joe has to date spoken to Year 7, Year 9 and Year 10 pupils and admits that it was terrying to begin with but is now getting well into his stride.

“The most daunting thing has been when pupils walked into the school hall and spotted the Enough Is Enough! logo. I expected a lot of laughter and whispering, but thankfully, none came! I’ve been so lucky in the fact I have amazing friends, who have said nothing but positive things about my assemblies. “ “They’ve supported me the whole way through, and are proud of me for what I’ve done. All the teaching staff have been very helpful, and offered their support and assistance throughout the assemblies.”

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

So have there been any stand out moments form his experiences so far? “After I presented the assembly to the school year my boyfriend is in, one of the boys approached my boyfriend. He apologised for anything he may have said, and wished my boyfriend and I all the best. That really made me realise the message was really getting through to everyone, and that people were learning.”

Having succeeded in talking to his school about homophobia what would Joe like to do next? “In an ideal world, I want to tour schools across the country with the presentation I’ve been using, and really show schools all over the country that Enough Is Enough! I think by having somebody their own age speaking to them, teenagers and young adults take in the message a lot more.”

And what words of advice can he give to other young people who may be struggling with their sexuality or suffering because

TELL US WHAT YOU’RE DOING! Tell us how YOU are taking action against homophobia every day! Send your pictures and stories to us here at enough@lgf.org.uk

JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP! We’ve got a lively Facebook group too, so click on ‘Like’, get regular updates and join the discussions. Just search Facebook for ‘Enough Is Enough’

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

ON THE ROAD

The Enough Is Enough Campaign has been visiting Pride events up and down the country - here’s just a very small snapshot of the last two months...

of homophobia or bullying? Joe says, “For anybody who is struggling with their sexuality, it’s natural to be confused. When you start having feelings for somebody the same gender as you, it can be very upsetting.

PRIDE SCOTIA was our first Pride event of the season and we received a very warm welcome, and hundreds of you signed up to the campaign. Huge thanks to you all!

“The most important thing to remember is that it’s nobody’s fault that you are who you are, whether you be straight, gay or bisexual.

Don’t try to push away your sexuality, that won’t do any good.“ “If you’re being bullied, do not, repeat, DO NOT suffer in silence. No matter how much you think it’ll be okay and it’ll just go away, it won’t. The only way bullying will stop is if you report it. That way, the bullies realise that you’re not going to stand there and take it, and they will stop. “

NORTHERN PRIDE on 17th JULY saw some tremendously enthusiastic supporters sign up, including the Lord Mayor and Homo Hero Peter Tatchell!

“Remember, bisexuality and homosexuality have been around since the beginning of human existence, and they’re not going away any time soon.”

We’re sure you will agree that Joe has shown remarkable courage, not only to come out at school but to talk about homophobia in front of other pupils and teachers. We think Joe is amazing and symbolises everything that the Enough is Enough campaign is all about. If you have been inspired by Joe and feel that you would like to get involved in the movement to fight homophobia please get in touch! www.lgf.org.uk/enough

Huge thanks to the thousands of people who signed up to the campaign at LONDON PRIDE. We’d also like to offer our thanks to Park Plaza County Hall in London who hosted some of the Enough Is Enough! Team in their wonderful hotel (pictured above). Based at 1 Addington Street, London SE1 7RY, the hotel boasts some of the finest views of the River Thames and London’s South Bank. We can’t recommend the hotel highly enough. Find out more or book by calling 020 7021 1800, or visit www.ParkPlazaCountyHall.com. Thanks guys, you spoiled us! www.lgf.org.uk

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AGENDA

CONTACT US: outnorthwest The Lesbian and Gay Foundation. 4th Floor Princess House, 105-107 Princess Street Manchester M1 6DD EMAIL: joanne.dunning@lgf.org.uk

NEWS

} IN DEPTH NEWS, COMMENT AND ANALYSIS. E-MAIL STORIES & COMMENTS: joanne.dunning@lgf.org.uk

CHANGING TIMES? COALITION GOVERNMENT

THE LGF AT PARTY CONFERENCES As the political parties conference season is fast approaching The Lesbian & Gay Foundation will be attending all three main party conferences to find out more about what each parties plans are for supporting LGBT communities.

Also at the conferences we will be delivering the manifesto of the newly formed National LGB & T partnership to help inform decision makers about the issues affecting LGBT people and influence future legislation.

We will be reporting more on this next issue and online at www.lgf.org.uk where you can read more about what we had to say on last year’s conferences (search for each party by name/ for manifesto updates search under legal rights)

Lynne Featherstone, Equalities Minis

ter

What does the new Conservative/LibDem coalition mean for the LGB&T community?

In the first hundred days of the new Conservative/Liberal Democrat governments term of office lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans rights were one of the first equality issues to go under the microscope. Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone has also sent out a special message to the LGBT community ahead of Manchester Pride.

A MESSAGE FROM LYNNE FEATHERSTONE “Over Manchester Prides Big Weekend (27th – 30th August) thousands of people will come to Manchester to celebrate Pride at an event that has been voted ‘Best Pride Event’ for the past four years.

This year, on 28th August crowds will flock to see the biggest ever LGBT Pride Parade through the city centre which in itself is Manchester’s

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very own tribute commemorating the day that individuals stood up to hate at New York’s Stonewall Inn in 1969 starting the whole international LGBT Pride movement.

Those actions, more than 40 years ago, may have started the ball rolling towards a more tolerant world but there is still much to be done to complete the journey. This Government is determined to take the action needed to build a fairer society. Be it helping schools tackle homophobic and transphobic bullying or putting measures in place to end discrimination in the workplace.

The government is also doing its bit to support civil partnerships and we are holding talks with a whole range of people to find out how some religious organisations can allow same-sex couples the opportunity to register their relationship in a religious setting. We are cracking down on hate crime and promoting better recording of crimes against homosexual

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

and transgendered people. The law will be changed so that unfair historical convictions for consensual gay sex with over 16s will be treated as spent and not show up on criminal record checks. And we are developing the first ever Transgender Equality Action Plan. The UK will stop the removal of asylum seekers forced to flee particular countries because of their sexual orientation or gender identification, where they are at a proven risk of imprisonment, torture or execution.

Equality is not just what lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are entitled to, but it is also critical to building the fair, just and prosperous society we all need and want. So go out and enjoy Manchester Pride this weekend knowing that the Government is working hard to ensure a fair future for everyone.”

The document ‘Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality can be found at: www.equalities.gov.uk

TRANS HATE CRIME

PROUD TO BE SAFER p15

p11

Trans hate crime needs to be reported. We talk to Catherine Poulton about how and why it should be reported, and report on the launch of a new Trans Hate Crime guide.

As we mark 16 years of free condoms and lube in Greater Manchester, LGF publishes a report on your opinions and the future of the scheme.

KATE HARDY OPINION

MANCHESTER PRIDE

PRIDE GIVES IT PLENTY!

THE SUBTLETIES OF HOMOPHOBIA Most of us have been there; you check in to a nice cushy Bed and Breakfast with your partner, ready for a weekend of...erm... obia h p o m st Ho rambling and outdoor clothes again N IO ACT enough shopping, when the inevitable f.org.uk/ www.lg question arises at the hotel front desk. ‘Will it be a single room or a double?’

There are many ways to deal with this seemingly simple question. However, simple as it is, this could be a minefield of potential discrimination.

It also could go the other way – it actually could end up with none of the above, apart from, that is, a double room.

l Adams

The Modern Lesbian. Picture: Rache

Did you know there are over 50 events held at 32 different venues throughout Manchester Pride’s Fringe Event. To celebrate this year’s 20th Manchester Pride there is a whole host of special events to look forward to. Here’s just a brief selection.

Weatherfield Pride. Coronation Street is celebrating half a century by taking part in the Manchester Pride parade. Along with raising awareness of LGBT issues through characters such as Sean Tully, Hayley Cropper and Sophie Webster,the cast and crew will be on the parade together with a record number of entries this year.

Saturday 28th August from 1pm,Manchester Pride’s Big Parade City Centre.

Welcome to my World. You can see Corrie stars and other famous faces in a new photographic exhibition by celebrity photographer Rachel Joseph who has created an exhibition based around a number of celebrities who have gay relatives or friends. From 20th August at Selfridges in Exchange Square.

The Modern Lesbian. Another photographic event comes from Rachel Adams who is presenting a new series of portraits and audio works that explore the stories of gay and bisexual women that have been instrumental in shaping the history of Manchester since 1957.

20th August - 5th September, 12pm - 6pm 52 Princess Street, Manchester, www.themodernlesbian.co.uk

The Life of Pride. A free exhibition which looks at the extravagant visitors, participants and staff members behind the Manchester Pride festival.

Based on photography by artist Ed Swinden, from his book Manchester Gay Pride. Until 4th September,The Mezzanine Gallery, Great Hall, Royal Exchange, St Ann’s Square,Manchester.

Lesbian and Gay Film Season. There are plenty of films to enjoy throughout August as Cornerhouse, in association with the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, present a season of engaging and inspirational films from around the world. Cornerhouse, 70 Oxford Street, Manchester. www.cornerhouse.org In Proud Service. LGBT Veterans: Tenth Anniversary Talks-Ten years on from the removal of the ban on homosexuality in the armed forces, Imperial War Museum North introduces a series of talks by LGBT veterans reflecting on their experiences of serving in the British Armed Forces. 22nd August, 3.30-5.30pm.Imperial War Museum North, Trafford Wharf, The Quays, Manchester. www.iwm.org.uk/north Ribbons, Rallies and Rubbers: Diary of a HIV Activist. The LGBT community has lost thousands of vital, vibrant people to HIV and our community has responded to support our friends and demand action. This evening is about that story.

23rd August at 7.30pm, Frog and Bucket, 96102 Oldham Street, Manchester. www.ght.org.uk Our Pride coverage continues from page 22!

The day-to-day issues that LGB people experience, subtle as they are, can make a massive difference to how we perceive our outside world, and, how the outside world perceives us. We have a right to protect ourselves from potential discrimination, it’s about personal safety sometimes, and often we have to lie about our sexuality in order to protect ourselves from physical and mental harm.

Even the most confident and assertive people lie sometimes. I myself posed as a straight and single woman in a job I had a few years ago, despite being the total opposite of straight and single. Simple questions like “what did you do at the weekend?” forced me to make my girlfriend at the time just a friend, and the constant jibes of ‘so, have you got a boyfriend yet?’ only made it worse.

I lied because I knew I would be discriminated against. When I left the job I vowed to never lie about my sexuality again.

We all no doubt have our own stories of homophobia, some heartbreaking and traumatising, some mildly frustrating and some so subtle we sometimes don’t see the point in mentioning them. We protect ourselves through our lies , and it’s important to admit that, after all we can’t be fighters for the cause all the time, can we? However, we experience the subtleties of homophobia on a day to day basis, so, if you are able and confident (and most importantly, safe) challenge it wherever and whenever you can.

Oh, and don’t forget to sign up to our Enough is Enough! campaign.

Kate www.lgf.org.uk

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AGENDA JUNE-JULY 2010

NEWS

HATE CRIME

LIVERPOOL REMEMBERS

MICHAEL CAUSER

“I want the money people have donated in Michael’s memory to be used to help young people. They need somewhere to go where they feel safe”

hobia omop inst H N aga IO T gh C A k/enou

f.org.u www.lg

Marie Causer Michael’s Mum gay quarter in October of last year was also present at the vigil with his civil partner Tom Downey-Parkes. Liverpool Councillor Paul Annan read a speech prepared by Tom, who informed the crowd that James had made a full recovery from his injuries and was now back at work as a Merseyside police officer.

Two years after his death, The Michael Causer Foundation launches.

Hundreds of people gathered in Liverpool on August 2nd for a moving vigil to mark the second anniversary of the death of Michael Causer and the unveiling of The Michael Causer Foundation.

Michael Causer died two years ago from injuries sustained in a homophobic attack on Merseyside.

Only 18, Michael was brutally beaten at house party in Huyton, after people at the party found pictures of him and his boyfriend on his mobile phone.

Hundreds of people including Michael’s mum and dad Marie and Mike were at the vigil, which began the run-up to the city’s first official LGBT Pride event. The date of Liverpool Pride was chosen to be close to Michael’s anniversary. The vigil also saw the formal launch of The Michael

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Causer Foundation which will assist vulnerable LGB&T young people from the north-west by providing safe accommodation for those who are homeless or at risk.

Gerry Proctor, Chair of The Michael Causer Foundation introduced a number of speakers from across the north west who were speaking at the vigil. In an emotional speech, two of Michael’s friends - Danielle and Mikey - spoke of their memories of nights out with Michael, and Liverpool filmmaker Sandi Hughes spoke warmly about the city’s LGB&T heritage.

Transgender campaigner Vikki-Marie Gaynor gave a rousing speech about the discrimination faced by transgender people and called for an end to transphobia and homophobia, Liverpool Councillor Louise Baldock paid a moving tribute to The Causers and the LGF’s Jo Dunning urged the crowd to come together and say ”Enough is Enough” to homophobia and transphobia.

James Downey-Parkes, who was the victim of a vicious homophobic gang attack in Liverpool’s

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

The crowd were then led by the speakers in a call and response of “Enough is Enough!” demanding action on and an end to homophobia, transphobia and hatred. Michael’s mother Marie said in advance of the event: “I want the money people have donated in Michael’s memory to be used to help young people. These youngsters need somewhere to go where they feel safe and are surrounded by people who have gone through a similar experience.”

Liverpool LGBT Network chairman Tommy McIlravey said: “Marie has become a person the LGBT community feels they can talk to and she understands and listens to their concerns. When she told me of her idea, we knew we had to make it happen because there is an urgent need in Liverpool for this kind of housing.”

The vigil was brought to an emotional close as the crowd sang You’ll Never Walk Alone.

For more on the Michael Causer Foundation visit: www.michaelcauserfoundation.org.uk/ ENOUGH IS ENOUGH -YOUR GUIDE TO TAKING ACTION AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA & HATE CRIME is a new leaflet from The Lesbian & Gay Foundation and will be published this month.

For copies e-mail: info@lgf.org.uk

AGENDA JUNE-JULY 2010

NEWS

PAUL FAIRWEATHER OPINION

HATE CRIME

TRANS HATE CRIME THE BIG SOCIETY “As a community we have to come together and do something about it. In short report it! You’re not causing a nuisance.”

Catherine Poulton

Catherine Poulton is a former Superintendent of Greater Manchester Police, she now sits on the Crown Prosecution Service’s Independent Scrutiny Panel on Transphobic Hate Crime, here she talks to Joanne Dunning about raising awareness of transphobia, the importance of reporting hate crime and TREC’s new transphobic hate crime reporting crime.

What is the aim of the new TREC transphobic hate crime resource?

We want to raise peoples’ awareness of the issue of transphobic hate crime - especially within the trans community – and make people aware of the importance of using their rights and reporting, and also how to report a hate crime.

Is transphobic hate under-reported?

Well there are transphobic hate incidents, which are when people are subject to threatening behaviour or comments which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility, hate, or prejudice against a person who is transgender or perceived to be transgender.

These incidents can leave people unnerved and upset. These incidents are unacceptable, but they are not considered a crime and the police can’t prosecute. When surveyed, approximately 90% of respondents from the trans community have said they have experienced this type of incident, but actual reports to the police fall way short of this figure. People think they don’t want to bother the police, but these incidents must be challenged, otherwise people will think this kind of behaviour is acceptable. A trans hate crime is any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility, hate or prejudice against a person who is transgender, or perceived to be transgender. The police can prosecute these crimes, the level of reporting is very low, but numbers are steadily going up.

The Crown Prosecution Service has a very high conviction rate for transphobic hate crimes.

What traditionally have been the barriers to reporting?

I don’t know for sure. Surveys suggest that the trans community have a lot of confidence in the police. There’s a fear, especially with hate incidents, that people think that it is their fault, they worry about the reception that they’ll get and whether they’ll be taken seriously. For some people with a tinge of guilt about their trans identity or internalized transphobia there’s a sense of “well this is what I deserve”. Others think if you ignore it, you’re taking the moral high ground.

There’s also the issue that a lot of victims of trans hate will be leading double lives – and so there’s huge worries about people being outed.

What would you say to someone who had experienced transphobia but was too scared to report?

We have a joint responsibility with the police to protect ourselves and others – that piece of information you report could be vital and mean another crime might be stopped. As a community we have to come together and do something about it. In short… report! If you don’t want to report to the police you can always report a third party reporting centre like The Lesbian & Gay Foundation, you can even report anonymously or take a friend for support. You are not causing a nuisance – you are doing something for your own good and the greater good. Bad behaviour whether it be against trans people, gay people or black and minority ethnic people must be challenged, if not it becomes the norm.

Pick up a copy of TREC’s transphobic hate crime reporting guide at the next TREC meet-up – which takes place on the second Saturday of the month from 11am-4pm at the LGF in Manchester. http://transcentre.org.uk/

There has been much in the press lately about the Coalition’s government’s idea of the ‘Big Society’ but less information about what it might mean in practice. I’ve been thinking about what this might mean for the LGBT communities.

The idea seems to be that there is a huge resource of volunteers that could potentially be providing a whole range of services but that they are somehow deterred from doing this by bureaucracy. It seems to me that whilst it’s great to encourage volunteers, and their commitment can provide a great quality of service, that ultimately the bulk of mainstream services need to be provided by the state. The voluntary sector does often provide innovative and different ways of providing services and can have more flexibility than large national organisations. However local councils or local health providers can also develop exciting new services. Many services supporting the most disadvantaged in our society need staff with a high level of skill and experience gained over many years.

The reality is that for volunteers to be most effective they need ongoing support and training which is provided by paid staff. Many of us volunteer in our community or for LGBT groups. However most LGBT voluntary groups have very little funding or resources compared for example women’s or disabled people’s groups. I think we need to keep arguing that we pay taxes and receive very little in specific support compared to many other groups in our society. The danger is that this initiative is driven by an ideology that is about wanting a smaller state not wanting to improve services or release the energies of new volunteers. A Victorian idea of self help dependent on the goodwill of those with the time and the inclination to help the rest of us is no model for providing services in the 21st century.

This year is the anniversary of many LGBT groups in the region, George House Trust., Lesbian and Gay Foundation, Albert Kennedy Trust and many others. The vibrancy and continued growth of groups such as these shows the importance of the voluntary sector in providing us with crucial services. Volunteers play a key role in all these groups yet they could not provide the same level of service without the core funding they receive from local and national bodies which supports their paid staff. So I would encourage you to volunteer, if you don’t already, in your local community or for an LGBT group that you support. However I would argue that we need more resources to support our communities – not less. We need a society that is big enough and aware enough to recognise the level of homophobia that still exists and is committed enough to ensure that we can eliminate it.

This effort needs to be led by government at a local and national level. It needs clear leadership and commitment with the resources to match. It needs a clear strategy to fundamentally change the culture of our society. Rhetoric plus a vague notion about volunteering will not suffice.

Paul Fairweather www.lgf.org.uk

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AGENDA AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2010

NEWS

MANCHESTER PRIDE

REMEMBERING WITH PRIDE On January 18th 2010, Josh Barnes, 18, was hit by a car and killed on his way home from work in Northenden, South Manchester.

Josh was a much loved member of the gay community and his friends and family are currently developing a charity in Josh’s name to help others who have experienced similar loss. Since Josh’s death, there has been a facebook group and website created in tribute to his memory.

Josh’s friend Dave Hilton is the man behind the website; “Josh was a normal 18 year old, he was a kind, honest and lively person with lots of love to give. He loved going out in Manchester, walking down Canal Street with him was a mission - all the people that knew him stopped for a chat which was lovely.”

Because Manchester Pride was so important to him Dave and other friends of Josh’s have got together with The Lesbian & Gay Foundation to put on a special event in memory of Josh for anyone who would like to have a quiet time in the middle of the Big

Weekend to remember those people who are important to us and who are no longer with us, so that we can keep their memory alive with pride.

awareness of accidents like Josh’s, talk with local councils about road safety and educating young people to help reduce road accidents and encourage road safety.

“This will be the first event we have done with the Foundation for Josh “says Dave “and although the circumstances are very sad I think that Josh would have loved all of the attention that the Pride festival brings.”

REFLECTIONS – Remembering with Pride...

Sunday 29th August 2010, Sackville Gardens from 10:00am – 12:00pm

Eventually, it is hoped that The Josh Barnes Foundation will be able to give emotional support to people, help with funeral plans and source grants to help struggling families afford memorial objects along with raising

There will be an opportunity to leave messages in Sackville Gardens and spend time with friends and family to remember those who cannot be with us. All materials will be provided. Taking photographs is encouraged, as we will have to remove the messages from the trees after the event. Images will be available via www.joshbarnes.co.uk. For more e-mail: info@lgf.org.uk or info@joshbarnes.co.uk

IN MEMORY

A TRIBUTE TO SOLITAIRE Village pays tribute to much-loved character.

Earlier this Summer Manchester’s LGBT scene sadly lost a fabulous cabaret artiste, the one and only Solitaire.

To pay tribute to a dear friend, Village venue New York New York hosted a special event on June 13th. “Our Solitaire brought so much laughter and happiness into our lives” says Tracey from New York, New York. “Solitaire was part of the heart of the New York and may not be with us in person anymore but will live on in our hearts and memories forever.” Peggy Wessex, DJ Gareth, Roxy Hart, Kampari, Felicia and Mark Jones were just some of the entertainers who helped pay a fitting tribute to a Manchester legend. Over £1500 was raised at the special tribute to help pay for funeral costs. Tracey would like to thank Edward and the management team and all the artistes for their fantastic support. The outrageous Cabaret artiste had “something to say about all matters in Manchester’s gay village and was always warmly 12

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

received by her loyal audience” remembers Iain Scott from Taurus bar. LGF’s Paul Martin also has fond memories of the glamorous entertainer who was a strong supporter of the many important causes and campaigns that have long been important to Manchester’s LGBT community. “Back in the days of The Village Charity and Healthy Gay Manchester, Solitaire was being the hostess with the mostest on a coach from Manchester travelling down to Pride in London. When the coach broke down (and a replacement vehicle was two hours away) Solitaire got everyone off the bus and kept the entire party entertained with a full cabaret show to keep their spirits up. This was one of the many occasions in which Solitaire supported the local community in such a uniquely fabulous way.” outnorthwest would like to add its own tribute to Solitaire and say thank you for all the support and laughter over the years. You will not be forgotten.

AGENDA AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2010

NEWS

THE LESBIAN & GAY FOUNDATION

ON THE MOVE! Manchester’s lesbian and gay Village is getting a new resident.

2010 is a landmark year for The Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF), not only are we celebrating our 10th anniversary and a decade of ending homophobia and empowering people, but we are also moving to a new home.

5 Richmond Street, M1 3HF, right in the heart of Manchester’s Gay Village.

We spoke to Helen Wright LGF’s Customer Service Co-ordinator to see how preperations are going for the big move.

“I have been to the new site twice since work has begun on our new home and each time there are big differences. Once it was one dimensional, now its 3! There is so much to do but I have a great team to support me along the way .It is very stressfull and there are lots of to-do-lists along the way but being on the new site and seeing the process made so far has helped me get familiar with the main workings of the whole building.”

More Services “We will be able to provide more to the community for all of our existing services, and being more visible in the Village than ever before will help too! From my own role I do love to make things look welcoming and friendly as well as offering a safe space that people will want to return to. Generating more income from better conference facilities

will also enable us to give even more back to the community. We are hoping that until we get settled in after mid September disruptions to our current services will be kept down to a minimum.

Celebrate our Histories As part of the move, and our anniversary we want to celebrate the LGF’s story over the last ten years and that of our lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community in a permanent exhibition at our new home. We’ve got the pictures, the placards, the banners, the flags, the t-shirts and the press cuttings of a decade of proud campaigning – but we haven’t got enough picture frames to present our histories in the manner in which they deserve to be seen.

We need big frames, little frames, pink frames, gold frames, black frames, white frames, frames that sparkle, frames that represent you and frames that you are willing to donate.

Chief Executive of The Lesbian & Gay Foundation, Paul Martin said: “We want to take this opportunity to celebrate the last 10 years of not only the LGF’s work, but that of the LGF’s much valued volunteers, partners and our rich and diverse LGB&T community. In 2010 the challenges of ending homophobia and empowering people are still a reality, but we must celebrate the progress that has been made so far.”

The permanent exhibition will be a constant work in progress as the LGF moves forward.

You can drop your frames off at LGF’s current home, 3rd Floor, Princess House, 105-107 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 6DD before Friday August 27th, all donations are greatly appreciated.

And then when we open the doors on 5 Richmond Street this September, you can pop in for a cup of tea and marvel at your frames showcasing the past decade of LGB&T history, and have a look at what LGF services are on offer for you and your friends.

For more news keep logging on to www.lgf.org.uk

GROWING OLDER IN MANCHESTER The Valuing Older People (VOP) programme was established in 2003 to improve the quality of life of older Mancunians and has older residents at its heart. The team is inviting expressions of interest from Manchester residents who would like to sit on the VOP Board.

Strategy team in achieving the ambitious vision for the city as a ‘great place to grow older’.

The Board was established in 2004 and has a remit to inform the development of the partnership’s plans, give a voice to their peers, neighbours and Manchester’s diverse communities and to assist the Ageing

For an informal chat or an information pack please contact Tracey Annette on 0161 234 4299 or email t.annette@manchester.gov.uk

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Board members are well supported in their role and access to training and personal development opportunities are available.

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

AGENDA AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2010

NEWS

The LGF has just published a brand new report marking sixteeen years of free condoms and lube.

SAFER SEX

PROUD TO BE SAFER Back in 1994 a brand new scheme was developed to combat HIV among men who have sex with men that has since become an institution in and around Greater Manchester.

96% of all those interviewed, said it was important that there was a free condom scheme for gay and bisexual men.

The Lesbian & Gay Foundation’s Condom & Lube Distribution Scheme is now nationally significant as it is the UK’s longest running service of its kind.

WHAT PRIDE GOERS SAID ABOUT THE SCHEME:

Over the years the scheme has inspired many other initiatives both at home and abroad. In order to make sure that the scheme continues to meet the needs of the men it is aimed at The Lesbian & Gay Foundation asked men who were attending Manchester Pride in 2009 for their opinions on the Condom & Lube Distribution Scheme.

“I just bang it on and bang it in.”

(26-35 Manchester )

The responses of 366 of those who completed full evaluations on the scheme are contained in a new report entitled ‘Proud To Be Safer’ which also provides a history of the scheme and more information about The Lesbian & Gay Foundation’s ongoing work around sexual health.

The last time The Lesbian & Gay Foundation evaluated it’s condom and lube distribution scheme on such a scale was in 2004 to coincide with it’s tenth anniversary. Then, as now, reports suggest strong support for the scheme across the community and the public health and commercial sectors that the Lesbian & Gay Foundation work in partnership with.

98% of the men interviewed said that their condom use had increased or stayed the same since they noticed LGF’s safer sex packs.

98% of those asked felt it was important that a community organisation such as LGF provided free condoms and lube.

Many thanks to all of the volunteers and all of the men who took part in the evaluation at last year s Manchester Pride.

“There’s no excuse for unprotected sex.”

(16-25 Oldham ) “Helps keep safe sex a high profile thing on the gay scene.” (26-35 Salford) “Accidents happen when drunk, having packs in bars, reduces the risk.”

(46-55 Tameside and Glossop) “Particularly for those on a low income and young people.” (46-55 Stockport) “It’s not something to be embarrassed about.”

(26-35 Trafford)

MANCHESTER PRIDE At Manchester Pride 2009, 80,000 condoms and 80,000 sachets of water based lube were distributed throughout the ten day festival.

FIND OUT MORE...

“96% of all those interviewed said it was important that there was a free condom scheme for gay and bisexual men.”

For 2010 not only have extra supplies been drafted in yet again but there is a special Manchester Pride condom pack so keep an eye out for LGF’s outreach teams who will be handing them out during the festival.

25% of monies raised at Manchester Pride go towards helping to keep the Condom and Lube Distribution Scheme free. Since 2003, Manchester Pride has raised over £780,000 for good causes and, in 2009, Pride raised the most amount of money in its history; £135,000! This money was split equally between the LGF Condom and Lube Scheme, the GHT Welfare Fund, the Pride Community Grant and the Pride HIV Fund. LGF would like to thank everyone across Greater Manchester that has made the Condom and Lube Distribution Scheme the success that it is today Have a happy and, above all, safe Manchester Pride 2010

You can download the report from www.lgf.org.uk, or if you would like a copy, e-mail info@lgf.org.uk www.lgf.org.uk

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AGENDA AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2010

NEWS

TAKING THE BIG LEAP...

FRESHERS

LUCY ROLFE looks at what you can expect as a new LGB student. Should you come out?

With Freshers’ week just around the corner, young people all over the country will be preparing to leave home and start a threeyear adventure of late nights, lectures and student housing.

For many, September will be all about making new friends and enjoying life as an independent adult for the first time, but it isn’t always so straightforward for everyone.

COMING OUT? CALL US!

We’re here if you need us! A quarter of calls to the LGF Helpline are about Moving in with a group of strangers is one of the most terrifying, yet exciting experiences of issues relating to coming out. If you university life; particularly for young lesbian, gay and bisexual people, who not only have to need to talk, we’re here to listen. Call contend with leaving home for the first time, the LGF Helpline but also have the worry about how people will on 0845 3 30 react to their sexuality.

30 30 (local call rate), 6pm-10pm As you might realise if you’ve already come (Staffed), 10pmout to your family and friends, this isn’t 6pm (automated something that you do just the once; it’s a system) or email process you tend to go through every time helpline@lgf. you meet a new friend, go to the doctors org.uk or start a new job, so coming out to people you’re about to share a house with for the next year can be a stressful and anxious event.

For some people, introducing themselves as a lesbian, gay or bisexual comes as easily as saying their name, but we shouldn’t assume that this is the case for everyone.

If you’ve had a negative experience in the 16

past or haven’t felt ready to come out until now, opening up to a group of new friends can bring with it all kinds of fears; will they accept me? Will they treat me differently? Moving away to university can also mean that your usual support networks aren’t there, so make it that bit easier, we’re giving you some tried and tested real-life tips and experiences from people who’ve been through it all before “I’d advise to come out to everyone as soon as possible (if you’re ready too) – I didn’t, because the opportunity didn’t really come up, so people just assumed I was straight – so the longer I left it, the more difficult it became.

Once I told everyone though they were fine!”

NSTEUDW ENT?

“Join the LGBT group - they meet regularly and have a large membership.

It’s a great opportunity to build a social network.”

“Uni’s a great time to come out because you don’t know anybody, which can often make it easier - there’s no history with people – so when you come out people can take you or leave you – simple as that”

“I remember one lunch time sitting in the local Uni pub, and for some reason we started to talk about, until finally, my new uni mate who was sitting next to me, came out to the group.

This gave me the perfect excuse to do the same, although I stole her limelight somewhat – we’re still good friends now, and the fact that there was someone else going through the same thing really gave me the confidence to tell people”

“A top tip would be to join the LGBT group – they meet regularly and usually have a large membership - it’s a great opportunity to meet others and build up a social network”

If you need to talk to someone about coming out, you can call LGFs helpline in 08453 30 30 30 or email us at helpline@lgf. org.uk

“Come out as soon as possible; it’s never easy, but it’s always harder the longer you leave it”

LGFs Face 2 Face Counselling Service is currently offering free counselling to people under 25, so if you would prefer to talk to someone face to face, get in touch to make an appointment on 0161 235 8019 or email counselling@lgf.org.uk

“Although I was out to most of my family and friends, being at University proved to be quite hard for me to start telling people I was gay”

FIND OUT MORE...

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

If you need advice on coming out, call the LGF Helpline on 0845 3 30 30 30 or visit www.lgf.org.uk

Registered Charity No.1070904

10 Ending Homophobia,

Empowering People

www.lgf.org.uk

r the LGF

fo FUNdraising

2000-2010 CELEBRATING TEN YEARS

N A C A I B O H P HOMO

!

E K I H A E K TA Friday Night

After initial arrival and registration, guest can chill out and relax and meet their fellow challengers, then its time for a welcome buffet. Later on we’ll then conduct a welcome briefing explaining how the weekend will be run followed by a special team exercise where we will head out into the local area. Once this team event is over and we have found our winning team, we’ll settle down around the fireplace getting to know each other better.

Saturday Day

After breakfast, we will be making a prompt start up the Old Man of Coniston. This walk is quite challenging but we will be going at a rate to suit the group and have plenty of time to complete this stunning walk.

FUN

Saturday Night

E! CHALLENG The LGF ‘Old Man of Coniston Challenge’ is your chance to do something incredible in 2010 and put one big hiking boot forward against homophobia!

LGF have teamed up with LargeOutdoors to bring you the chance to get away for the weekend in one of the most stunning parts of the Lake District. On November 19th - 21st 2010 we head

Thank You!

to Coniston where you’ll get the chance take in the scenery and take on the challenge by climbing this fantastic fell. Don’t worry if you’re not a big walker, this is a challenge suitable for all abilities. This will also be a weekend where you’ll get to meet new people and spend the weekend away from hustle and bustle. The money you’ll raise from sponsorship will go directly to helping The Lesbian & Gay Foundation fight homophobia and empower people, so why not take the fight against homophobia to new heights (2,634 feet in fact)!

A chance to celebrate our achievement and enjoy a celebratory drink. As part of the weekend cost LargeOutdoors & LGF will be providing a three course meal.

Sunday

We’ll head out for a gentler walk. This will be finished off with the option of a pub lunch before we head off home.

Registration for the event costs £35 and we ask you to raise a minimum of £250, which isn’t as hard as it sounds! If you’d like to take on the challenge or if you’d like more info, contact joe.spencer@lgf.org.uk or call 0161 235 8012.

WE’D LIKE TO SAY A HUGE THANK YOU to Via who had us at their street party on Sunday

25th July helping us raise vital funds. A MASSIVE thank you goes out to our friends at Cruz 101 who threw the mother of all raffle parties and well done to the lucky winner of a shiny new iPad! Also a special thank you to our new Chester friends at The Liverpool Arms, they proved Chester loves to party and had us over to fundraise at their summer beach party! THANK YOU! www.lgf.org.uk

17

YOUR WAY

UP

“The day will provide the foundation to look at addressing issues collaboratively in these changing times and looking at how we can work together.”

FOCUS ON: NORTH WEST

BRINGING THE LGB&T SECTOR TOGETHER

LGF to host meeting aimed at bringing together LGB&T voluntary groups, networks, activists and individuals.

On Saturday 21 August 2010, The Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF)is hosting a meeting at their offices on Princess Street in Manchester aimed at bringing together lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGB&T) voluntary and community groups, members of LGB&T networks, LGB&T community activists, members of LGB&T staff networks and individuals who act on behalf of LGB&T people from across the North West.

The focus of the day is to look at and discuss the current and emerging issues affecting the LGB&T community, to review and encourage individuals to use the research published by the North West Development Agency around ‘Improving the knowledge base on the LGB&T community in the region’, to look at key funding opportunities for groups, to

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provide information on current projects and initiatives that you can get involved in, as well as providing a great opportunity to meet other people who are working to embed equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans individuals across the region and beyond and to challenge and eliminate homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.

The day will begin at 10:30am and finish at 5pm, followed by an opportunity to network informally. Refreshments will be available from 10:00am and lunch will be provided. The day will provide the foundation to look at addressing issues collaboratively as a LGB&T sector in these changing times and looking at how we can work together, as well as providing you with an opportunity to share ideas with others, learn from others and identify what support is available to you and talk

FIND OUT MORE...

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

about what support you need moving forward.

The meeting will include presentations from Evelyn Asante-Mensah – Head of Equality and Diversity at the North West Development Agency, Paul Martin – Chief Executive at The Lesbian & Gay Foundation, Sharon Jones – Policy and Partnerships Officer at the Big Lottery and representatives from groups and organisations; showcasing some of the fantastic work happening across the region.

Travel bursaries are available to individuals from voluntary and community organisations.

A full agenda will be distributed over the coming weeks, however mark the date in your diary and we look forward to seeing you there.

If you have any questions, or would like further information, please contact Darren Knight, Development Manager at LGF on 0161 235 8035 or email darren.knight@lgf.org.uk

NORTH WEST FOCUS ON: SOUTH LAKES

‘TRANS’ MEETS IN SOUTH LAKES

FOCUS ON: GREATER MANCHESTER

OUT TO LUNCH

Lesbian Diners Club in Manchester offers alternative.

Social events for trans people in the North West.

The group was set up at the late end of 2002 by Paula after many late nights and sore throats of shouting over the loud music of Canal Street bars!

‘Trans.Lakes.nights’ girls now use premises at 46-50 Suffolk St in Barrow called the Four Grove Resource Centre (thanks to Wendy Phizacklea) to meet, usually once a month (although there will be a break during summer).

So many women say it is hard to meet others in the environments available. The dining club offers you the chance to relax, meet others, chat and enjoy good food in an informal setting. The

If you are interested and would like more details please visit lesbiandiners.co.uk or contact paulad650@aol.com or text 07813 083242.

FOCUS ON: NORTH YORKSHIRE

PINK TRIANGLE THEATRE

We also arrange occasional nights out to Manchester and Blackpool. The group’s objectives are: 1. To identify those trans people within the South Lakes who need support 2. To identify a location that is suitable for them to attend [those needing support] or to socialise.

3. To identify an environment where they can feel safe to gain confidence 4. To maintain a base that encourages trans people to attend until they can evolve, but still use as a ‘home base’.

group meets every second Sunday in alternate months.

The next meetings are on 12th September 2010 and 14th November 2010. Venues vary across the North West, but mostly centred in Manchester Village area.

New production challenges homophobia.

5. To influence new trans people to take steps to develop.

If you’d like to come along or want to know more email: Trans.Lakes.nights@ googlemail.com. Notifications will also appear on, ‘tvchix’, www.queercumbria.com and International TV Repartee magazine www.roses.repartee.tv

Pink Triangle Theatre is a new theatre company, with a new, original theatre production SHOW ONE! This production aims to challenge homophobia and is specially aimed at young adults and secondary school age children. The next shows will be at the Limetree Festival

27th-29th August, Limetree farm, Grewelthorp, N Yorks.

For more info and to book tickets see pinktriangletheatre.co.uk or email Paul at info@ pinktriangletheatre.co.uk

VOLUNTEERING AT

THE LESBIAN & GAY FOUNDATION

If you want to have a chat before this though, please do give me a call, email me or drop in to the office even if it’s just to say hello. The same applies for anybody out there who is thinking of volunteering and would like more information, particularly as moving to 5 Richmond Street will generate some new exciting volunteer opportunities!”

For further details please see our website www.lgf.org.uk, email me on Claire.taylor@lgf.org.uk or call me on 0161 235 8031.

WE’RE HERE IF YOU NEED US

Registered Charity No.1070904

“Hello! I’m Claire

and I recently took up post as Volunteer Manager, which is a brand new role at LGF. I can already see there is amazing work happening every day which would not be possible without the commitment and dedication of our volunteers.

Over the next couple of months I’d love to have a chat with as many existing volunteers as I can, and will soon be inviting volunteers to come in and give feedback so watch this space for more details!

10 Ending Homophobia,

Empowering People

www.lgf.org.uk

2000-2010 CELEBRATING TEN YEARS

Words: Chris Morley

RIBBONS, RALLIES & RUBBERS 25 years after George House Trust was founded by six energetic campaigners, we’re celebrating the past and future of HIV activism with Ribbons, Rallies and Rubbers, the diary of a HIV activist on Tuesday 24th August at the Frog and Bucket Comedy Club, at the top of Oldham Street, Manchester.

Our founders can be enormously proud that George House Trust has thrived, and is now one of the oldest flourishing HIV organisations in the country. Celebrate our 25th anniversary and be inspired by local activists, Peter Tatchell, and be entertained

by Gerry Potter, Jonathan Mayor and Valentino King. We’re proud of our radical northern roots and no-nonsense attitude to saying what needs to be said, and getting the job done. Please join us for an anniversary evening of swagger and fun to support our work. People living with HIV face a tougher time than most with the cuts we all face in the next few years, and you can support our work with tickets at just £3 on the door. Ribbons, Rallies and Rubbers starts at 7.30pm on Tuesday 24th August at the Frog and Bucket Comedy Club, Oldham Street, Manchester.

George House Trust has always kept its eyes on the big picture – past Manchester’s boundary, past our first focus on gay men, past the year ahead, always putting HIV in its wider social and political context, and working out how to reach our vision of the best quality of life for all people living with HIV. 20

www.lgf.org.uk

Residential Weekend PLUS for HIV+ Gay Men

If you have joined one of GHT’s past residential weekends for men living with HIV, Residential Weekend PLUS could be your next step in living well with HIV. Men on our residential weekends asked for more, meaning demand for places is high, so put your name down now.

This weekend will give you the most time for discussion, reflection and sharing experiences, and you will have a one to one session with an expert. Weekend PLUS runs from Friday afternoon on September 17th to the afternoon of Sunday September 19th in Whaley Bridge, in the Derbyshire Peak District. If you want to be considered for a place, please email Colin colin@ ght.org.uk or call him at 0161 274 4499.

PRIDE AND GRINDR Smart phones and smart technology makes hooking up with other guys as easy as pressing a button - but be prepared!

Take care of yourself and the guys you hook up with through Grindr at Manchester Pride. Along with your iPhone or Blackberry, keep some condoms and lube with you, and act smart.

Grindr is a free app that uses GPS or WiFi to find other gay, bi, or curious guys who are logged in, wherever you are. It shows you pics, profiles, and how far away each is. Take your pick then you just chat and take it from there.

Up to 1 in 10 gay men have HIV but many men have never tested, or not tested recently, so around one third of the men with HIV don’t know this. You can’t tell by looking at a guy’s pic, or from their age on their profile, if a guy has HIV. He (or you) may not know if the hook up will come with HIV.

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

www.ght.org.uk

Look after yourself and your partners – condoms and lube will protect you and he from passing on STIs and HIV, whether you know or not.

Grindr, Gaydar, craigslist make hooking up real easy. However you meet up, it’s smart to talk about HIV and use condoms and lube to look after yourself and others.

HIV/STI CHECK-UPS It’d be handy if there was also a phone app that made it easy to fix up a HIV and STI check-up, but this simple web address takes you straight to the George House Trust webpage with details of testing centres all over NW England http://bit.ly/aJgT2S With effective modern HIV treatments, it’s smarter than ever to test regularly to protect your health and life. George House Trust sees too many men who put off testing, but come to regret finding out late.

PRIDE

BURSTING WITH

BEVERLEY KNIGHT Popzilla himself, PAUL SWAN returns to the pages of outnorthwest with a look at entertainment on the Gaydar Main Stage at Manchester Pride.

It’s the last weekend in August, you’re looking out of the window, knowing for a fact there’s something on in town when it hits you! It’s Manchester Pride! Of course it is, you hadn’t forgotten really, had you? Had you?

So rather than sit there in yer drafty parlour trying to decide whether that cloud looks more like Moira from The ‘L’ Word or a cake that’s been left out in the rain, why don’t you come down to the Gaydar Main Stage, there’s a few people who’d like to sing for you…

• Friday 27th August • She went down ‘a right storm’ at Manchester Pride 2007 and now she’s backer than Robbie with Take That. One of the leading lights of the late eighties (if you left the light on for her, hurr hurr) and one time member of the Go-Go’s, it’s the fantastic Belinda Carlisle, come to quiver her larynx at you.

You bopped like Jedward on too many ‘e’ numbers when Human League appeared from nowhere last year (I know, I watched you), so what are you going to do when this lot take the stage? Known best for Let Me Go and Temptation, who else could it be than Heaven 17? The only time you should give in to temptation is now (oh, and also if you’re offered half a New York Style cheesecake –hiccough-).

22

BELINDA CARLISLE • Saturday 28th August • Saturday, you’re still here! Whatcha gonna do?

Well, it’s Gaydar Radio Dance day at the main stage, so to warm yourself up for the night ahead, you need to be here especially seeing as our lineup goes from one end of the brightly-coloured, multi-threaded, ever-so-camp-spectrum to the other!

You’ll want to know which end of the aforementioned spectrum we’re starting from tonight, so without further ado, allow me to introduce the band led by one of the nations most famous bedsit-dwellers, so convinced of his own stardom that even a stint in the Big Brother house teaching a bunch of fame-hungry media muppets (the irony) dimmed not his fabulous glow one iota, it is of course, Andrew ‘Starman’ Stone! Age cannot wither him, nor custom stale his infinite variety. Oh, and the rest of his band too.

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

HEAVEN 17 After that wonderment, how could you possibly take anymore? Well, you’ll have to, as Chicane take over the sound waves and use them to belt out their inimitable brand of late 90’s epic trance and mid noughtie’s romps with the like of Bryan Adams and Tom Jones. You’re being proper spoiled and you know it…

• Sunday 29th August • If only The Mamas and the Papas had adjusted their calendar once in a while, they’d have seen that Sunday Sunday is so good to you.

Todays line-up includes upcoming singersongwriter Sam Gray, five-piece homegrown band The Sticks and pop-euphorists and dancefloor-disco providers May68. When you add to this the Canadian New Waveiness of Dragonette and Brit-electropop duo Diagram Of The Heart, you’d think you’d had the best the day could offer. You’d be wrong.

PRIDE Go and get yourself a sausage from that stall on the corner of the car park, get energised with a can of pop, and come back, otherwise you’re going to miss one of this centuries most diverse and popular artists. Her set list will be bringing all the boys (and girls) to the yard (Main Stage) and she’ll be singing acapella for you, it’s Kelis! (who’s far better than Kelly Rowland any day.)

• Monday 30th August • Manchester Pride 2010 might be drawing to a close, but the fun never stops at the Gaydar Main Arena, keeping you bouncing all day with Kristofer James, Dallas Pride, Boy Banned, and The Scarletts, not to mention acts like the fabulous Tanya Cher, Shirley and the two and only Same Difference!

Do you think that’s the end of it? Is it buffalo! There’s plenty more, but here’s where it gets even better, we’ve got Ex-Happy Monday singer and The X-Factor survivor Rowetta blasting her lungs out, Ikenna and a re-launching Adam Rickett. But wait! There’s more! 4 Poofs and a Piano will be sharing stage space with one-time Kitten, Liz McLarnon, Full time vamp(ire), Rosie Lugosi and the campest butch thing (or is that the butchest camp thing?) Who cares! It’s all masculine glamour and by the love of the Gods themselves, it’s the really quite amazing Ellis, who’ll have you mixing with all the beautiful, dangerous people before you can even stub your toe on the front of the stage.

JACKIE

CROZIER

The evening (and the weekend) has to end somewhere though, so before you pay your respects to those we have lost at the Candlelight Vigil in Sackville Park, stand and gaze in wonder as UK Queen of Soul Beverley Knight returns to finish you off with songs from her new album, 100%. Why would you miss it?

For those who have yet to buy a ticket (yes, you two at the back)visit www.manchesterpride.com or you can call 0871 230 3450. You can get a Big Weekend pass for £17.50 (plus booking fee) until 26th August and £22.50 (with no booking fee) thereafter, from the box office. Day tickets are £10 (plus booking fee) until 26 August and then £15 (no booking fee). This year’s Manchester Pride takes place from Friday 20 – Monday 30 August 2010.

For more information, www.manchesterpride.com

KELIS

FESTIVAL DIRECTOR

“I can’t believe that Manchester Pride is 20 years old.” says Jackie.

“What began as a bring and buy sale outside the Rembrandt pub on Canal Street is now one of the biggest LGBT festival’s in Europe and I’m just so proud to be a part of it. Each year I’m absolutely blown away - from the dedicated team of volunteers, the passionate crowd and all the businesses that get involved, everyone loves it.”

Fundraising “What makes Manchester Pride even more fantastic is that we raised £135,000 for charity last year, the largest amount to date. I really hope we can out-do ourselves this year.

Fundraising is at the core of what we’re all about. Each year we work extremely hard to raise funds for HIV and LGBT charities in Greater Manchester and many wouldn’t even exist without the contributions and ticket sales generated from the Big Weekend. ”

The Big Parade “For me one of the highlights of the entire festival has to be the parade (1pm on Saturday 28 August). People from all walks of life, young and old, gay and straight, friends and family

all come together. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing Coronation Street’s float – the cast and crew will be taking part as part of the show’s 50th anniversary. For the parade this year we’ve adopted a ‘Through the Decades’ theme. The idea came from the number of LGBT community anniversaries taking place this year. We thought it would be a great idea to literally, look back through the decades and celebrate our LGBT heritage. ”

New Events “We have an exciting new photographic exhibition called ‘Welcome to my World’, which will be displayed at Selfridges in Exchange Square from 20th August onwards. We’ve been working alongside celebrity photographer Rachel Joseph to create this exhibition which is based around a number of straight (or gay) celebrities who have gay relatives or friends. The aim is to illustrate to others the normality of being gay or having someone close to you that is gay. We also have Scary Mary’s Hairy Beary Fairy Tales at Odder Bar (19 August - 16 September) and The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer at Spirit Bar (23 August - 26 August).“

After 20 years...

“I would have to say it gets harder each year as expectations rise. Of course we’re always trying to make the event bigger and better and raise even more money for the LGBT community. With this comes added pressure, but I’m always up for a challenge. I couldn’t do it without my dedicated team of volunteers and of course Team Pride, who work on the festival year-round.” www.lgf.org.uk

23

Manchester Pride Site Map continues after your pull-out LGF Impact Report>>>

04 arity No.10709 Registered Ch

10 hobia, Ending HomopPeople

Empowering

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-G2TE0N YE1AR0S 0 0 0 2 IN CELEBRAT

t c a p m LGF I 0 1 0 2 t Repor

THE LESBIAN & GAY FOUNDATION ANNUAL REVIEW 2009/10

Homophobia ACTION against

www.lgf.org.uk/enough

070904 Registered Charity No.1

THE LESBIAN & GAY FOUNDATION

10 Ending Homophobia,

Empowering People

www.lgf.org.uk

000-2010 2 CELEBRATING TEN YEARS

Ten years and the work continues...

David McGovern, Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Paul Martin, Chief Executive look back over a significant year for the LGF. Like many other voluntary organisations, we started the year facing stiff financial challenges. Furthermore, with many people in our communities similarly feeling the effects of the recession, we saw an increase in demand for our services and resources.

It was also a year in which paradoxically the progression in equality legislation was marred by continued homophobia in our society, including some horrific homophobic attacks.

Against this backdrop, we successfully rallied the organisation to such an extent, that we actually grew. As a result, we provided more services and resources to more LGB people than at any point in our history.

None of this could have been possible without the dedicated support of our Trustees, volunteers, staff, funders and many other supporters and partners - to them all, we extend our sincere and grateful thanks.

DAVID McGOVERN CHAIR

PAUL MARTIN

Over the past year, we’ve continued to provide a wide range of interventions to help address the considerable health inequalities faced by LGB people. We have also developed our major new campaign “Enough is Enough! Action Against Homophobia” to address continued issues of discrimination and violence.

This campaign however, is not something we can deliver alone. It will only truly succeed if we can inspire others around us to also take action.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

One such young man is Joe, a brave 14 year old who contacted us because he wanted to tackle head on the bullying he was facing at school.

After sending out one of our packs, Joe wrote back with a determined plan of action: “The leaflets, posters and booklets etc. arrived today. Thanks so much. It’s my birthday tomorrow, and I’m going to use the ballons instead of Happy Birthday ones. My head-of-year says she’ll let me do a series of assemblies from Years 7-10 in a few weeks time. I received the presentation, and with all the info and resources you’ve kindly supplied, I’m sure it will be a great success!”

In the run-up to Joe’s plan, he continued to face personal challenges. “I got another set of depression come on last night. It’s just made this campaign and doing the assemblies more important to me. People need to see the horrible effects homophobia can have on people”.

Joe has since written back to report on his progress. “I’ve done 2 out of 4 assemblies. It’s been terrifying, but once I’ve gotten in to it, they’ve been great. Thanks again. Joe :)” Joe is an inspirational hero, who with others like him, continue to be a daily reminder of why we must increase our fight to end homophobia and to create a happier, safer and heathier world for lesbian, gay and bisexual people. We hope you’ll join us - “Enough is Enough!”

Visit www.lgf.org.uk/enough

David & Paul

What is The Lesbian & Gay Foundation?

The Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF) is a vibrant charity with a wide portfolio of well-established services and a rapidly developing range of new initiatives aimed at meeting the needs of lesbian,gay and bisexual people.

The LGF is committed to working with partners across all sectors in order to achieve more positive outcomes for LGB people. The LGF is reported by service users as being one of the first points of contact for them when they have been at a crisis point in their lives.

If you would like a copy of this document in large print, please ring 0845 3 30 30 30.

THE LESBIAN & GAY FOUNDATION

Ending homophobia Empowering people 2010 is the LGF’s tenth anniversary year and to mark our first decade, we have launched a major new campaign, Enough is Enough! Action Against Homophobia.

“

“

Because homophobia in any form or context is unacceptable and needs to stop.Sadly,it is still a daily reality for lesbian,gay and bisexual people and also their family and friends on the streets, at school, at work and in the home.

Sign up to the campaign and take positive action against homophobia at www.lgf.org.uk/enough

ANTONY COTTON LGF PATRON

OUR IMPACT

Our Aims

We believe in a fair and equal society where all lesbian, gay and bisexual people can achieve their full potential.

Supporting Individuals The LGF will support lesbian, gay and bisexual people to increase their skills, knowledge, and self-confidence to improve health and well-being.

Strengthening Communities The LGF will work in partnership with others to build a strong, cohesive and influential lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community sector.

Promoting Equality The LGF will promote awareness, visibility and inclusion of lesbian, gay and bisexual people to achieve full equality.

Developing Excellence The LGF will continuously develop its people, systems and procedures to deliver and sustain excellence for all of our beneficiaries.

Our Mission

Our Values

Ending Homophobia, Empowering People.

Innovation. Diversity. Excellence.

Fairness. Integrity. Engagement.

Every day lesbians, gay men and bisexual people are the targets of hatred and violence because of who they love.

Homophobic abuse is more common than most people think. 1 in 3 LGBT people have experienced some kind of homophobic attack. To join the movement and take ACTION against homophobia visit: www.lgf.org.uk/enough

Our Vision

“Your support means that we can continue to spread the word that enough is enough,we won’t stand for homophobia in any form.

There’s just one more thing you can do today.Ask your friends and family to sign up too at www.lgf.org.uk/ enough”

SIR IAN McKELLEN LGF PATRON

Supporting Individuals.

The LGF will support lesbian, gay and bisexual people to increase their skills, knowledge, and self-confidence to improve health and well-being

OUR IMPACT THIS YEAR:

The delivery of a Comic Relief funded young people’s mental health project, including the production of targeted information resources.

The Condom & Lube Distribution Scheme provided over 600,000 condoms and sachets of lube to gay and bisexual men across Greater Manchester.

The delivery of sexual health campaigns including “Proud to be behind you”, “Wear it, fill it, bin it”,“Keep F*cking Safe” and “Update your status”.

The delivery of sexual health workshops targeted to over 120 gay and bisexual men.

The production of the “Sex Tips for Men” resource, and a reprint of our “Sex Education” guide to support our sexual health work.

The rapid HIV testing clinic served 165 clients, complementing our weekly sexual health outreach clinics which tested over 180 people.

The counselling team served over 80 clients in more than 1,000 sessions.

Chlamydia testing in partnership with the R.U.Clear programme tested nearly 100 people.

At Manchester Pride 2009 we asked over 600 men who have sex with men for their opinions on our Condom & Lube Distribution Scheme. These views have since been reflected in our ‘Proud To Be Safer’ report

Streamlined access to services through the introduction of new, front line service delivery systems, resulting in the needs of a growing number of callers by phone and in person being better met.

The launch of “Caring with Confidence” a Department of Health pilot project providing tailored support for over 140 lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans carers.

The enhancement of our counselling service, with the introduction of couples counselling and CORE monitoring (Clinical Outcomes Routine Evaluation).

The provision of monthly support sessions for three groups of LGB patients of Rampton Hospital.

The development of an online LGB&T carers’ forum and support group.

The continued success of our police and legal advice surgeries which served over 70 people last year providing vital information on a wide range of issues.

The delivery of a Community Health Needs Assessment for Bolton’s gay and bisexual residents.

‘Beating around the Bush’ our sexual health resource for women who have sex with women, was reprinted along with our lesbian and bisexual women’s sexual health packs.

Over 80 women attended Sugar and Spice 4 – our event in celebration of International Women’s Day 2010 and over 60 women attended our “Secrets of the Lady Garden” event which took place as part of Manchester Pride’s Fringe Festival in 2009.

Strengthening Communities.

The LGF will work in partnership with other to build a strong, cohesive and influential lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community sector.

OUR IMPACT THIS YEAR:

We provided staff support to Liverpool Council for Voluntary Service to continue the work of Liverpool LGB&T network and contribute to the delivery of Liverpool Pride, which will launch in 2010.

The continued delivery of the LGB&T news service which particularly focused on the Single Equality Bill, legal protections for LGB&T people and stories of real people talking about their lives.

In partnership with Greater Manchester Police and Manchester NHS, we conducted an outreach initiative in Manchester’s Gay Villageto support people to hava safer night out.

The launch of “Flying the Flag” which was a very effective way for public sector organisations and especially local authorities to demonstrate their support for LGB&T communities and residents as part of the International Day Against Homophobia. This campaign received funding from the Association Greater Manchester Authorities and in 2009, 50 buildings,venues and public spaces took part throughout Greater Manchester.

Our digital communications added Twitter to our current Facebook and online presence, with over 160,000 unique users visiting the LGF’s revamped website for news, articles, information and advice.

Promotion of “Homo Heroes” which was our Manchester Pride 2009 campaign.

This saw us recruit an additional 800 subscribers to our database in conjunction with our highly successful Homo Heroes and Homo Zeroes Award Scheme.

The facilitation and administration of the Manchester Pride Community Fund. As a result, we supported the distribution of over £33,000 to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans voluntary and community groups from across Greater Manchester.

Our magazine, outnorthwest was refreshed and improved, and produced on a bi-monthly basis and distributed to over 500 regular venues.

Hosting the Trans Resource and Empowerment Centre’s monthly trans weekend events, providing valuable capacity building support.

We spoke to representatives of almost 70 lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans groups whilst undertaking a needs analysis in order to identify common issues and support requirements.

We delivered a series of community consultation events which aimed to identify issues locally and provide a foundation for strengthening local LGB&T community activity and engagement.

“The LGF are always supportive and enthusiastic, helping us to shape our response in Trafford, which really helps our local LGB&T communities.”

Gaynor Burton, Equality and Diversity Manager, Trafford Council

Promoting Equality.

The LGF will promote awareness, visibility and inclusion of lesbian, gay and bisexual people to achieve full equality.

OUR IMPACT THIS YEAR: The planning and development of our “Enough is Enough, Action Against Homophobia” campaign.

The launch of “We’re Here if You Need Us” which is a campaign targeted at GP surgeries across Greater Manchester. GPs surgeries have been asked to display a simple poster and leaflet, both as an indicator of LGB affirmative services and providing signposting to the LGF’s provision.

We attended the conferences of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties for the first time in 2009 and laid the ground for our 2010 LGB Manifesto.

We opened up The Lesbian & Gay Foundation to new audiences by delivering a number of events directed around specific equality issues. Our Celebr8 event, focussed around bringing together black and minority ethnic communities and specific religious groups. Similarly, our Intergenerational Event brought together people of different ages to discuss their lives as LGB&T people and their experiences of Manchester City Council services.

The continuation of the LGF’s Hate Crime campaign, which responded quickly to the vicious and near fatal attack on a gay man in Liverpool. This led to our production of a pocket-resource in conjunction with a range of partners, which was on the streets of the North West’s major gay areas within days of the attack. We also lobbied for Hate Crime to be placed higher on the agenda.

Exceeding Expectations, our work to end homophobia through education, ran a play for young people in schools, which was seen by over 1,180 school children, produced newsletters that have reached every adult working in secondary and primary schools across Manchester.

This resulted in 70% of pupils thinking it would be safe to come out at school , compared to 30% at the commencement of the project.

The launch of our blocked email campaign which highlights and condemns the public sectors blocking of emails containing words such as “lesbian”, “gay” and “bisexual”, breaching the rights of LGB people and undermining the efforts of the public sector to support LGB people.

The implementation of “Part of the Picture”, a major national five year project funded by the Big Lottery. This project is researching the drug and alcohol usage of LGB people, undertaken in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire.

This resulted in the collection of 1,700 LGB people’s experiences of alcohol and drug use within the first year.

The launch and promotion of our new Training and Consultancy service.

The delivery of an employee survey of staff employed by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and an action plan to better support LGB staff.

We hosted five events across the region through “North West Together We Can”, this engaged with the public and voluntary sector and provided an opportunity to refresh people’s understanding and support their implementation of “Breaking the Cycle”, our LGB&T strategy.

We provided training to over 160 staff at Cheshire Peaks & Plains Housing trust around sexual orientation and gender identity.

Developing Excellence.

The LGF will continuously develop its people, systems and procedures to deliver and sustain excellence for all of our beneficiaries.

OUR IMPACT THIS YEAR: The launch and development of an internal project which significantly changed the way in which we understand the needs of our front line service users.

including customer relationship management software, which will enable us to work more effectively and support our service users and other stakeholders better.

The introduction of seven day a week opening of our building to enable more groups and individuals to use our facilities and receive our support.

The establishment of our Human Resources Task Force to focus on ensuring the LGF’s values and vision are part of everything we do.

A renewed focus on financial processes and the monitoring of income and expenditure which helped in ensuring that the LGF broke even in 2009/10.

Significant work in developing our credit control systems and reducing our debtors.

Securing and negotiating the lease for a new home for the LGF for the next ten years, which will help us to better meet the needs of our service users.

The development of our people management systems as part of our journey towards Investors In People recognition.

Planning major enhancements to our information technology infrastructure, including the implementation of a new server, and to our internal systems,

The development of our cashflow management and cashflow planning systems.

Significant financial modelling work to underpin our Business Plan and five year Strategic Plan.

Successful applications to a range of funders to continue and develop our services. These included the Hardship Fund, the Big Lottery, the EHRC and the Department of Health.

“I’ve admired the LGF for a while and found its visibility very reassuring when becoming confIdent in my sexuality.”

LGF Volunteer

Financial Information Where our resources came from 2009/10 The Lesbian & Gay Foundation cannot exist without continuing financial commitment from a range of funders, grant makers and donors. We would like to thank every one of them for their vital support.

£127k - Fees and other sales

Income from training and consultancy, advertising in outnorthwest, room hire, and counselling.

£1,501k - Charitable Activities Income

Income received for goods and services provided for the benefit of the LGF’s beneficiaries.

How we used our funding 2009/10 Over 88% of our expenditure was spent on delivering our strategic programmes – services, information and research. Our largest areas of expenditure continue to be in delivering first class and accessible community, health and support services and producing high quality information resources.

£448k – Information

£89k - Events, donation and corporate sponsorship

Income received from charity challenges, corporate sponsorship and other donations.

£7k - Donor supporters scheme

Money received through individual monthly donations

£53k – Research

Expenditure on our magazine, website, resources and other types of information giving.

Expenditure on our research projects.

£34k – Grants Paid

Running costs to meet constitutional and statutory requirements.

Support to smaller LGB groups in the local area.

£976k – Services Expenditure on our services including health, therapeutic and advice centres and our condom and lube scheme.

£26k – Cost of governance

£134k – Cost of generating funds This is the cost of raising voluntary income and the costs associated with raising our other generated income.

Expenditure 2001-2010

Registered Charity No.1070904

2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10

£616,000 £742,000 £1,030,000 £912,000 £1,015,000 £1,166,000 £1,321,000 £1,418,000 £1,672,000*

10 Ending Homophobia,

Empowering People

www.lgf.org.uk

2000-2010 CELEBRATING TEN YEARS

The Lesbian & Gay Foundation 5 Richmond Street, Manchester. M1 3HF Tel: 0845 3 30 30 30 Fax: 0161 235 8036 Email: info@lgf.org.uk Web: www.lgf.org.uk Twitter: @lgfoundation Registered Charity No. 1070904 Registered Company No. 3476576

* The Lesbian & Gay Foundation’s audited statutory accounts will be submitted for ratification by the members at the Annual General Meeting in October 2010. A full set of these accounts will be available after this date from the website of the Charity Commission www.charity-commission.gov.uk or by application in writing to The Company Secretary, LGF, 5 Richmond Street, Manchester.

M1 3HF.

E H T H T I W AT HOME PAUL GRAHAM talks to local superstar ELLIS about his rise to fame and his luscious cupcakes.

Life, at times, can be a right dull deal. Huge bills, long hours at work and grey drizzly weather can make for beige boys and girls. We need something to brighten our day....and like a cheese-fuelled dream, a demi god in black latex wings suddenly appears.

Bright sparkly lights sweep over me, glitter cannons explode and I suffer temporary blindness from the twinkle of 10,000 Swarovski crystals strategically glued to a honed masculine body.

Ellis is standing in front of me. I’ve arrived at his luxury 18th floor penthouse for a chat and as he escorts me over to the magenta sun loungers I get a distinct “Hello” magazine feeling wafting over me.“Pot Noodle, Paul?”, Ellis asks, bringing me right down to earth.“We have every flavour you could possible want!” And so begins my induction into The World Of Ellis – a phantasmagorical world of glitter and pies, of air-brushed photos, posh cakes and abusive emails.

Life wasn’t all like a Bassey gown though.

Originally from Liverpool, little Ellis grew up in the Lake District “which I hated as a kid – it was so boring! It’s no wonder I now wear feathers and diamonds!” He admits to making up his own fun adventures as a kid, which undoubtedly fuelled his furtive imagination, “grounding me and kinda forcing me to be true to myself - but also follow my dreams.”

He started his money earning career in a down to earth manner - bottling up at the local pub.

Ellis then became a restaurant manager at the tender age of 16. He made the big leap forward when he got a job in the Canary Islands playing piano and singing, honing his craft. Returning to the UK he penned a cheeky letter to the exclusive Skibo Castle in the Highlands, spurred on by his enthusiastic father.

Selling his talents for the entertainment of their rich and famous clients wasn’t taken too seriously, with a brief phone call from the owner asking young Ellis if he was “taking the piss”. Assuring him he wasn’t, he managed to get invited to “get his arse up to the castle by 7pm on the Friday” and there the call abruptly ended. “I went through 34

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S I L EL SEE

hell and high water but I got there, just to show him that I wasn’t messing”. Sat in his brand new Top Man suit in the grand drawing room, he started playing just as Dawn French and Lenny Henry walked in, followed by Ivana Trump. “I brass necked it, and played whatever I could and sang my heart out. An hour later I was told I’d got the job and I’ve never looked back” .

He admits that his “life university” was undoubtedly working at Skibo Castle and witnessing firsthand what “fame” was, being surrounded by it. At the age of 32 he looks back at the experience as something which grounded him and ultimately stopped his vain search for “fame”, pushing him to hone his undeniable talent. His enthusiasm for learning his craft “the proper way” and not by some manufactured path is obvious and heart-felt. “We have a whole generation at the moment who just want to be

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

AGE T S N I A th LIVE: M 0 3 Y A D MON

“famous”, without any discernable talent, without any ability, without wanting to give anything.

All I’ve ever wanted to do was perform but only when I was able to perform properly, be that in a huge packed arena, a church hall to 10 disinterested people, or the glittery smiley people at Manchester Pride. “ Perversely, he then left Skibo Castle and went into property, before setting up his own cake business. House Of Sugar was the “couture, celebrity-based, most glam cake company in the world - we made cakes for Gucci and Dior, Shirley Bassey and...” well, you get the idea. “If I’d wanted to do it normal, I would have opened a bakery!”.

Selfridges made an offer for House of Sugar to be

incorporated into all its stores but Ellis, being Ellis, was suffering itchy feet. Life went full circle as his last commission was for cakes at Skibo Castle.

His itchy feet moved to him to Manchester. Music called, and it was the only place to be. He was at a point in his life where he felt that too often he was fitting in – “being moulded by others, but outside influences” and thus was not being true to himself.

Manchester changed that.“Now, it has taken me 32 years, I can finally be who I was as a kid. I can just be myself, just Ellis. No airs and graces – I’m a decent person I’m not a bad person and just want to perform and spread a bit of happiness whilst I’ve still got the figure!”

He’s no stranger to stripping his clothes off for art, and as my eyes drift southwards over his athletic body I feel myself coming over all “Hello” magazine again asking him about tips and hints.

He looks at me through serious, if diamantedecorated eyes. “Chemical injections, Paul.

Liposuction, high power diets, a gym bunny. I’ve given all that up now. I’m much more belligerent in my older age. My rule now is, as long as the tits protrude more than the stomach then you’re onto a winner. I go to the gym, I do a bit of training but only because I can eat my cake. I like good Northern food –I like meat and potato pies, fish and chips and mushy peas.”

His energies are quickly being organised into the big performance at Manchester Pride this year. Dancers from the House of Suazez, makeup, costumes and lots of rehearsal are taking up a huge amount of his time at the moment. “Life’s hard, isn’t it?” he asks, his eyes twinkling with irony.

“So why not have glitter and glamour and a bit of fun? If you can escape for a bit then why bloody not. ” After Manchester Pride though, there is a new Ellis album to look forward to with his current big sparkly smash “Beautiful Dangerous People” featured on it. At times, life does need an escapist, glittery, shiny injection – the world of Ellis can’t help but fill that need admirably. Especially with a Pot Noodle to hand.

To find our more, visit www.ellisofficial.com, or check out Facebook (Ellis Ellis & Ellis Official).

You can see Ellis’ fab videos on You Tube: www.youtube.com/ellisofficial

Ellis: Photography by Craig Fleming www.craig-fleming.com Make-up and styling by Jon Mort - www.jonmort.co.uk

“You can still be glamorous holding a trowel and grouting a wall.”

PRIDE

Gaydio (88.4fm) will be broadcasting live from events at Manchester Pride. We caught up with Toby Whitehouse.

So Toby, what’s been happening since Gaydio launched in June?

We’re really pleased with how things are sounding – Chris Holliday at Breakfast is just the best way to wake up if you want a smile on your face in the morning. It’s been great welcoming back people like Nik Denton onto Gaydio too – if you’re into your dance music don’t miss him on a Friday and Saturday night from 8pm.”

Is it much more work than it has been in the past?

It’s a completely different ball game .

We’ve done four trial broadcasts since 2006; each time being more ambitious. We always knew that after four weeks, we’d be powering down the transmitter and going back to our day jobs. We don’t get that opportunity now – because its on 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Its definitely more of a marathon than a sprint.“ Have there been any surprises so far ?

Obviously we hoped that people would like it, but the response has been so positive and from all over the world. I remember Nicksy (who does our weekday 3pm – 6pm show) saying during the launch show how overwhelmed he was with the number of texts, emails etc. The interest from advertisers has also been impressive. ”

What’s Gaydio up to for Manchester Pride?

We will have outside broadcasts from the Parade and backstage at the main stage as well as broadcasting the Vigil live on the Monday evening. We’re planning a show after the Vigil giving people the chance to phone in and talk to experts in different areas including sexual health.

We’re also hooking up with Uni Challenge at Manchester University and the return of Flesh at Fac 251.

What have you got in the pipeline for the next few months?

We’ve got a new travel show that broadcasts live from Manchester Airport as well as some of their destinations. We’re also launching version one of the iPhone app – so check out the app store and see if you can download it yet. If you don’t have an iPhone, there are other third party apps on Blackberry, Nokia and Android devices where you can get Gaydio - there’s info on our website.

Catch Gaydio over Manchester Pride, and every single day on 88.4FM, or online at www.gaydio.co.uk. You can also listen to Gaydio through iPhone app ‘Qrushr’ and through the link at www.fitlads.net. www.lgf.org.uk

35

GAY SEX

Manchester Pride is 20 years old but how important is it to

guys in their teens and twenties today? We talked to young gay men in Manchester’s gay village to find out and also asked them what it was like for them coming out and what sexual health means to them.

Tabraiz

Flangela Lashes 24 year old Flangela Lashes is a diva! Coming out at 15 with mum being ‘cool about it’ gave Flangela the confidence to tell everyone else at 16. Manchester Pride is “a lot of fun, but also people put a lot of hard work into it, which is not always remembered.” Flangella doesn’t think many young people worry about sexual health “It is not taken seriously, if people see someone young they think that they are fine. People should still be careful, and not assume that everyone is fine.” On the subject of free condoms in bars they should “definitely be available, without a shadow of a doubt.”

Tabraiz is 25 and lives in Manchester. He came out at 19 and says it was quite easy for him. Today Pride is important ‘I own Pride!’ he says. Tabraiz says that he gets tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections every 6 months and always plays safely.

He sees free condoms and lube as a “Very important service.”

Jamie came out at 15: “I lived in a small village and there was no support around me, even if I tried to tell teachers they were quite homophobic. I didn’t know who to speak to. That was one Tabraiz is 25 and lives in of the reasons I moved to Manchester. When I first moved here Manchester. He came out at 19 it was just a big party, but now I see the other parts of it as well.” and says it was quite easy for Now 22 Jamie feels he has a good knowledge around sexual him. Today Pride is important ‘I health: ”Other people my age don’t take it seriously, and some own Pride!’ he says. Tabraiz says of them are not using condoms. Unprotected sex is a taboo that he gets tested for Sexually subject which makes it exciting for some people.” Jamie says Transmitted Infections every 6 that free condoms and lube are essential: “People might not months and always plays safely. buy them if they weren’t there.”

He sees free condoms and lube as a “Very important service.”

Jamie

Elliot 18 year old student Elliot lives in Shaw and came out at 14: “Friends asked me if I was gay and I just said yes. They were very accepting.

Manchester Pride raises awareness that people are gay, and that people are people whatever. It also raises the issue of equality, but it is also a space that people can have fun together. Oldham was my first Pride.

I’m not overly worried sexual health; I always use a condom because people themselves might not know if they have something. I also get tested regularly. A lot of people don’t seem to be bothered. Free condoms and lube is a really good service, much less embarrassing than buying them. “

36

Gary & Aaron Gary and Aaron are both 24 and live in Rochdale. Gary came out at 18 “I thought that it was going to be really difficult, but it was easier than I thought. I told my parents first. It is important to remember what Pride is for, and I do go to the HIV vigil. People come together for different reasons, and it does raise awareness for the community. Young people do not seem to have a grasp on sexual health, and ignore the problem. It is not just gay people though it is very much a straight problem as well.”

Questions about sex and your health?

Call the LGF Helpline on 0845 3 30 30 30

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

Given the recent headlines that there are more people over 50 acquiring HIV than ever before

we went online to ask gay men (over a certain age) if they thought gay and bisexual men have become more blasé about HIV and STI’s or are we taking more risks simply because treatments are better and people are (thankfully) living longer?

MALE (48): “I think people are finally being tested or finding out they have been HIV positive for a while, I don’t think it’s an attitude shift, living with HIV is still a big challenge even for those who can get the treatment they need and deserve.”

MALE (55): “As the body ages, the immune system is subject to more challenges, even without HIV in the equation. I would be interested to see how effective the usual meds are in men who contract HIV later in life.”

MALE (46): “I think drugs are a big cause of unsafe sex. I’ve seen a trend where the abundance of chem-sex parties is on the increase. The 50’s guys, now that they have a lot more money, are participating more in this recreational behaviour.”

MALE (42):“If the internet’s any barometer of trends, there seems to be an increasing amount of men who’ve lived most of their lives ‘straight’ who discover/acknowledge their bisexuality/curiousity or gayness later in life, begin to experiment and not always safe(r).”

MALE (68): “I’m still HIV negative, within the last two years I have only had unsafe sex by choice. My thoughts are that at my age it really doesn’t make much difference.

So why deny myself the pleasure I get on those RARE occasions when I can find a man willing to have sex with me?”

MALE (64): “I’ve heard often from older guys who protected their negative status for over 25 years who now want to have ‘natural’ sex. They want it the way it was or could have been for them pre HIV.”

MALE (46): “I’m sorry...but any man that survived the 1980’s, 1990’s and the 2000+’s and NOW in his 40’s or 50’s decides to be careless and becomes HIV+...He’s plain stupid.)

MALE (41):“It was stated last year that the life expectancy for a newly diagnosed case of HIV was now 39 years (that was in the UK I don’t know about anywhere else) then for the over 50s that doesn’t really look that bad when normal life expectancy is less than 80.”

www.lgf.org.uk

37

INVOLVED!

DIARY

DATES!

GET

WOMEN’S EVENTS

A scene from The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister,

BBC.

EVENTS COMING UP Saturday 21st August Go green and get your hands dirty at our Green Fingers event on especially for lesbian and bisexual women and their friends. We will be spending the afternoon planting window boxes for your kitchen full of lovely edible goodies, ready for you to take home at the end of the day. Planting and growing window boxes is a great place to start if you’re new to gardening, or even if you’re just short of outdoor space - and everything we’ll be sewing is edible, so in a few short weeks you’ll have a box full of herbs and salad ready to use in your kitchen.

The event is free to attend; all you need to bring along is yourself and your friends and be prepared to get stuck into some soil!

For more information about Green Fingers, contact Lucy on 0161 235 801 or email lucy. rolfe@lgf.org.uk

IF THESE WALLS

COULD TALK Come along to a special screening of ‘The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister.

Come along and find out about The LGF’s Secrets project, watch award winning romp The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister and chat with Helena Whitbread – who decoded Lister’s lesbian diaries.

At If These Walls Could Talk you’ll get the chance to be involved in a unique collection of secrets exploring what it means to be a lesbian, bisexual or questioning woman, which will be published in a special book to mark the centenary of International Women’s Day next March.

Find out more about the project, design your postcard, chat and watch our special screening of The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister.

38

ECLECTIC CLICKS Check out photographer Sarah Quinn’s exhibition upstairs at Vanilla (Richmond Street, Manchester).

Eclectic Clicks is inspired by the photo’s that Sarah took many moons ago for the LGF’s women’s photoshoot, now she’s given them a pop art twist for 2010.

Check them out at Vanilla until August 17th.

Maxine Peake stars as Anne Lister “the first modern lesbian” in this award winning romp released earlier this year. Lister kept a secret coded diary of her affairs and defied the conventions of 19th century life.

We can now confirm that we are lucky enough to have Helena Whitbread (as seen on the BBC documentary about Lister’s life) to lead a discussion on the thoroughly modern lesbian.

Whitbread was one of the leading academics involved in breaking the code and has devoted much of her life to Lister’s diaries. It’ll be interesting and insightful and we’ll provide the popcorn!

We’ll see you on Monday 23rd August 6pm ‘til 9pm) at The Lesbian & Gay Foundation!

FIND OUT MORE...

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

September 18th 2010 There’s another Film Night on offer this month as we snuggle down for autumn. Expect a lesbian / bisexual classic in a safe and welcoming atmosphere and popcorn a-plenty.

October 16th 2010 Whether you’re a novice or a budding Fanny Craddock come on down to our Healthy Cooking Workshop. Experts will be on hand with loads of ideas for simple, hearty recipes.

November 20th 2010 Get ready with the sticky back plastic, glue, fabrics and dried pasta, it’s time for Crafternoon! The last event was a huge success and a great laugh, so clear your diary and prepare to get crafty and creative!

OUT & ABOUT...

Look out for the women’s programme volunteers from the LGF at Manchester Pride! We’ll be out and about with our clipboards (and smiles) asking lesbian and bisexual women about your experiences, and views. If you want to help us email: women@lgf.org.uk

SAY CHEESE! The LGF are setting up a photo-shoot that celebrates the diversity of the LGB&T community, we are looking for lesbians, gay men, bisexual men and women and transgender people to get involved. For more information contact joanne.dunning@lgf.org.uk

For further information about these events, keep an eye on www.lgf.org.uk, or email women@lgf.org.uk

CONFIDENT

CRUISING SE ONE DAY COUR

eptember Saturday 18th S pm from 10am to 5

A lack of confidence in sexual situations can force you into accepting whatever sex is on offer rather than what you want. The Confident Cruising course is a one day course and is designed to help you improve your cruising skills, whether you’re in a bar, a sauna, online or just walking down the street.

Who should attend?

Confident Cruising is for any gay or bisexual man who wants to sharpen their cruising skills both online and face to face.

Course detail

The course will help you develop the confidence and skills to negotiate the sex you want, keep to your safer sex rules, and enable you to say no when you want to when cruising or arranging to meet someone.

You’ll learn some top tips and practical ways that can help improve the chances of getting more of what you want.

BOOK NOW! Registered Charity No.1070904

www.gmfa.org.uk/national/manchester/index

10 Ending Homophobia,

Empowering People

www.lgf.org.uk

2000-2010 CELEBRATING TEN YEARS

GMFA and LGF work together to deliver courses for gay men in Manchester

DRUGS

“Within the gay community, we have l a lack of safe socia spaces that don’t , revolve around bars clubs and pubs... d giving up alcohol an drugs can be seen y as giving up on a ga social life.”

GOOD

ADVICE

lar belief, and alcohol services. Contrary to popu in hero for just not are ces main stream servi ces servi the of y Man . olics addicts and alcoh you if across the North West are able to help al drugs may ation recre of use your that feel you questions becoming a problem or if you have around safely using.

LGBT Friendly Services

DRUGS

R US? Text: Sara Ashworth

ug Last Month the UK Dr ion iss mm Policy Co (UKDPC) launched a report on drug use erse amongst Britain’s div this communities and s. included LGBT group bing You may have seen the attention grab and press gay the of h muc headlines in le in the mainstream media and for most peop drug use l LGBT community the news that illega lation popu and drinking is higher in the LGBT not be will n latio than in the heterosexual popu a surprise. that is The review is definitely something le get the peop LGBT that sure e needed to mak tance subs to es com it n whe need they services that dge misuse. However the UKDPC acknowle ss acce had the majority of the literature they and to was only about gay or bisexual men with work se misu e the majority of substanc from on add an as es com the LGBT community true the use beca , men with sexual health work en’s’ wom uals bisex and an lesbi t picture abou needs are not really known.

40

n for In 2008 Stonewall published Prescriptio the at ed look that work Change, a piece of women, it health needs of lesbian and bisexual en are wom ual Bisex and ian Lesb that found out smoke more likely to drink alcohol every day, cigarettes and take illegal drugs. think that These are alarming figures when you ty, so socie in ed inalis women are already marg that feel en wom ual bisex and perhaps lesbian ces servi the of all ss acce to le they are unab es to drugs which they may require when it com and alcohol. to accessing So why are LGBT people so resistant Within ces? servi ol main stream drugs and alcoh social safe of lack a have we the gay community s and club bars, nd arou lve revo t spaces that don’ s drug and ol alcoh up g givin see y pubs and man as giving up on a gay social life. revolves Many LGBT ’s drug and alcohol use talk to a to so around peoples sex lives and may be who ger stranger, especially a stran that this s issue the of all heterosexual, about may relish. y man pect pros a not may bring up is of drugs ns eptio perc le’s peop is er Another barri

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

friendly It’s not all bad news, some great LGBT ADS on area, ter services do exist in the Manches e advic t grea offer ter Oldham street in Manches ne Lifeli and use drug on how to deal with your great if you (also located on Oldham Street) are family er, partn a on e advic or need any help use. ol alcoh and drug ds frien or members n we also Here at The Lesbian & Gay Foundatio ce on servi in offer a confidential weekly drop and 6pm from in a Wednesday night, just pop s issue any to listen to here our friendly staff are call also can You . have may or questions you Alcohol our help line or contact our Drugs and times. in drop the of ide outs er Offic Research biggest If you wish to take part in England Alcohol use and piece of research into LGB drug .uk re.co pictu please visit www.partofthe lem prob a have to have t Remember you don’ more out find to ol with drugs or alcoh affecting information about how they may be you.

Useful Contacts ADS M4 1LN 135-141 Oldham Street. Manchester 2400 Call: 0161 831 Lifeline 101-103 Oldham Street, Manchester Call: 0161 839 2054 LGF Helpline 0845 3 30 30 Sara Ashworth er Drugs and Alcohol Research Offic ter, M1 6DD. ches Man e, Hous ess Princ r, Floo 4th Email: sara.ashworth@lgf.org.uk Call: 0161 235 8026

P R IDE without

SHAME

TOP

TIPS! Hurrah! Pride season is here again and no doubt plenty of sex, drugs and rock and roll along with it. The great atmosphere is a great part of Pride. In truth, most of us have stories about drunken and drugged up Pride, some good times and some very bad times.

With all the fantastic club events happening during Pride season it’s easy to get carried away with alcohol and drugs. If someones main aim is to be on the pull it might be worth remembering that nobody wants to go home with someone who is throwing up in the street, or chewing their face off. Neither does anyone want to be the friend who gets stuck looking after someone who has had indulged a little too much. So how do you have a good Pride and not get into a state? Good questions! Just follow these 5 top tips, and you’ll be dancing all night and still able to have fun for the whole of the weekend. Sorted!

1

Remember that you are still the same person as you were before the weekend, Pride does not make you or your liver and kidneys superhuman! Stick to what you know you can handle and you will still have fun.

2 Space out your drinks. Try sipping them a little slower, have a soft drink every few drinks or try something exotic like a shandy or spritzer (I know I said exotic, pretend it’s the 80’s) to lower the alcohol level.

3 If you are taking drugs make sure that you know what you are

taking so if anything goes wrong you or your friends are able to tell medical staff what it is you have consumed, it will mean they can treat you a lot quicker if it comes to needing medical intervention.

sure you are out with people you trust, nobody wants to 4 Make be left in the gutter being sick on their own. It’s lonely, it ruins your party frock and it looks bad.

5 Make sure that for a few days before and as much as you can

during Pride that you are eating healthily and drinking lots of water, that way your body will be more able to cope when the barrage hit’s it. It will also mean that you don’t look as dehydrated and have bad skin, limp hair or dark circles around your eyes.

WEAR IT FILL IT BIN IT (OR GET HIM TO!)

NEED HELP?

For information on drug taking, visit the Talk To Frank website: www.talktofrank.com

Reg. Charity No.1070904

Pride is a celebration, so don’t let over indulging in drink and drugs ruin what could be the best weekend of the year. Learn these tips over pride and you can apply them for the rest of the year!

10 Ending Homophobia,

Empowering People

www.lgf.org.uk

THE LGF’S FREE GAY MEN’S SAFER SEX PACKS ARE AVAILABLE IN VENUES ACROSS GREATER MANCHESTER.

2000-2010 CELEBRATING TEN YEARS

MENTAL HEALTH

LIVING WITH THE

ENEMY Domestic violence can be one of the most devastating experiences a person can have; it can destroy self esteem, cause mental health problems and leave you physically scarred.

Text: Lucy Rolfe

It’s estimated that one incident of domestic violence is reported to police every minute, and that 1 in 4 women will fall victim to an abuse partner in their lifetime. These eye-opening statistics are backed up with the NHS being called to get better at spotting the signs of abuse in women and children, because surely domestic violence only happens in same-sex relationships with a female victim and a male perpetrator, right?

How much of a problem is it?

Domestic violence is one of the UK’s biggest social issues, and the fact that the same amount of LGBT people who are affected is being overlooked by research and services is enough to make anyone shudder. Assuming that only heterosexual relationships can turn violent is one of the most dangerous assumptions we can make, as the more we label domestic violence as a heterosexual

Where’s Your Head At and Know Your Mental Health are available now. You can also see them online at www.lgf.org.uk 42

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

issue, the more difficult we are making it for LGBT victims to come forward and get help.

Various studies have shown that particularly for gay couples, there is still a lot of stigma around domestic violence, meaning that very few cases are reported. This again, is said to be because of the stereotype that victims of domestic violence are female, and a lot of male victims feel so much shame and weakness that they are unable to break their silence.

Challenging the myths Domestic violence can take many forms, it’s not just violence and intimidation, and it doesn’t have to leave a physical mark. Many people don’t realise that any form of psychological, emotional or financial abuse and control can be classed as domestic violence.

Any form of abuse seriously erodes an individual’s self esteem, confidence and self worth and can be hugely damaging to the victim’s overall wellbeing.

The person perpetrating the abuse might give you reasons why they have lost their temper with you or insist on alienating you away from friends and family, but the bottom line is; there is no excuse! Every individual person has a human right to freedom and to live without fear of violence or abuse, nobody deserves to be controlled and intimidated by someone who is supposed to love them, and the good news is that there is support out there to help you break free from domestic violence.

Breaking the cycle Opening up about domestic violence can seem too terrifying to be worthwhile. Each year, thousands of victims live in silence because of threats from their partner if they seek help to get away.

There is now specialist help and support out there for LGBTs who are in abusive relationships, whether you’re planning on leaving your partner or just want someone to talk to. The LGFs Face 2 Face Counselling Service offers a counselling service which is currently free to under 25s. It is completely confidential and we can offer you support around any issue which may be affecting your life, including domestic violence.

The Lesbian & Gay Foundation.We’re here if you need us.

Helpline: 08453 30 30 30 (6pm-10pm daily) Email: helpline@lgf.org.uk

Broken Rainbow offer information, support and advice to LBGT people who are experiencing, or have been a victim of domestic abuse.

Helpline: 0300 999 5428 Website: www.broken-rainbow.org.uk If you are in immediate danger, always call 999

GROUP FOCUS

Registered Charity No.1070904

Domestic violence can take many forms, it’s not just violence and intimidationm and it doesn’t have to leave a physical mark.

10 Ending Homophobia,

Empowering People

www.lgf.org.uk

STEPPING

STONES

2000-2010 CELEBRATING TEN YEARS A group for women who identify as lesbian, bisexual or who are exploring their sexuality.

? ?

? ? ?

I’m nervous about coming to the group, can I meet someone before it starts?

Yes! There is always a volunteer from 7pm on the day of the group. We will show you around, discuss with you what to expect, and generally try our best to ease the nerves! Just entering the building is sometimes difficult, we know, but it’s a friendly environment, with no pressure to talk if you don’t want to.

What do you do in the group?

Stepping Stones is a support based group, which is usually discussion led. We talk about things such as homophobia, coming out, dating, the scene, and alternatives to the scene. We also have external people doing talks and workshops sometimes (sexual health, personal safety, LGBT history etc) and craft sessions too. The group is service user led, so if you have any ideas about what we can do in the group, tell a volunteer!

We usually sit in a circle and it’s very informal. The only time we ask everyone to speak is at the beginning of the session when we ask people their names. Remember, anything discussed in the group is confidential.

Do I have to be ‘out’?

No! The group is for people who are unsure about their sexuality, as well as people who are out. We regularly discuss coming out, and other service users’ often benefit from other peoples’ experiences.

Are there any social opportunities in the group?

Yes! After most sessions, some people go for a drink on Canal Street. For more social based activities, the Carousel womens’ group provides this (every 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesday of the month, 7.30 till 9pm, at the LGF).

What’s the environment like?

It’s a really informal, comfortable environment. There’s free tea and coffee, and comfy sofas in the reception area. We usually host the group in the conference room, and we usually sit in a semi circle.

We also have the use of the library most of the time, especially when we have craft sessions. You can also sit in there and relax, and read the range of books and magazines we have. We also have a group laptop which has wireless internet and Microsoft Office.

We realise that some people may not be able to access the internet at home for various reasons, so the laptop is there to be used within group hours.

Stepping Stones meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at LGF, from 7.30pm - 9pm. For more information visit www.lgf.org.uk www.lgf.org.uk

43

SEXTALK

TALK DIRTY TO US! IF YOU’VE GOT ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SEX YOU’RE HAVING, OR YOUR SEXUAL HEALTH, DROP PETER AN E-MAIL: peter.boyle@lgf.org.uk

ASK THE

Illustration: Mark H Evans Words: Daniel Gomez

BEAR SEXPERT For many of us being gay means that we get to define our relationships, we feel somewhat freed from the stereotypical heterosexual model of marriage and relationships.

For many of us, we’ve made the choice to maintain a monogamous relationship, sharing sex with the man we have chosen to spend our life with, and for others we’ve chosen to free ourselves from that sort of sexual limitation. But what does this all mean for us?

For many couples, the choice to be monogamous is based on love, commitmitment, and the peace of mind that comes with having hot safe condom free sex with our partner; knowing that HIV and STI’s are not an issue a truly monogamous couple need worry about.

But the big question is, how and when do we get to the point when we can stop using condoms? I think we all know that love won’t protect us from HIV or any number of other sexually transmitted infections. The simple answer is talk to your partner. Get a full sexual health screen, and make sure that you have been together long enough to clear your risk/window period, and know that you can trust your partner with your life!

But is monogamy the only way to have a relationship, (that is just as valuable and full of love and commitment) and

44

SEX W

OTHERITH S

MONOGAMY

YES OR NO?

Ask the Bear Sexpert anything! Send your thoughts, comments and questions to sexualhealth@lgf. org.uk

still protect you from STIs and HIV? Is a monogamous relationship somehow more valuable and meanful then an open relationship? Judgment reigns supreme.

There are many levels of open relationships, and only the people involved can define what kind of relationship works best for them. Let’s explore a few of them:

1. We have an open relationship, but we only play together. This option works well for many couples.

Not only adding excitement to their sex life but also offering each of them the

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

opportunity to be clear on any high risk taking sexual behaviour

2.Flirting is all good, but that’s as far as it goes! For many couple a good snog on a night out with a handsome stranger is fine, but sex is something that is saved for the relationship 3. For others, snogging, oral sex and cuddling are finding, but anal sex is something that is saved for your partnership.

4. And yet others, anything goes!

5. Some couples have rules regarding spending the night with someone else

ONLINE SEX ADVICE

LGF CLINICS

For even more practical advice about how to have a happy, healthy sex life, visit The Lesbian & Gay Foundation website today. Bookmark www.lgf.org.uk now!

PETER BOYLE SEX IN THE CITY

“However you define your open relationship, the most important thing is that you talk! Have rules, boundaries and understanding of how, whom and when you have sex outside your relationship.”

Proud to be safer As you are probably aware, Manches ter Pride is 20 years old this year. Wha t I find unbelievable is that 20 years ago , it was 1990! I know for people who are also 20 this year, that probably doesn’t seem so scary but for those of us born a few years before that, it doesn’t seem like five minutes ago.

6. Others, only play when one or both are out of town.

7. And yet some couples go out, and you’d never know they were together as they work the pub like single men.

But it was a long time ago, and thing s looked very different back then. Pride was more than just a party, it was a rally. HIV and AIDS had decimated the gay community, and Pride allowed people to come together to make sure that we weren’t forgotten. It also high lighted the need for research and funding to try and find new ways of taking forward the fight against HIV. Without Pride we wouldn’t have the free condoms and lube that we have toda y. These are effective weapons against HIV, and prevention wasn’t just a word banded about by health professionals, it has become a way of life.

8. Some flirt online in chat rooms or on web cam The reality is, however you define your open relationship the most important thing is that you talk! That you have rules, boundaries and understanding around how, with whom, and when you are allowed to have sex outside of your relationship. If one partner is in a monogamous relationship, while the other is having sex (without his partners knowledge) outside of the relationship he is placing his partner at risk. He is taking away his partners right to choose what level of HIV and Sexual health risk they are willing to live with. Is oldfashioned cheating love or just selfishness?

Gay men were proud that they could do something to stop themselves and their loved ones being cut down in their prime.

And yet today, condoms are seen as nothing more than an annoyance, something to get in the way of ‘real’, bareback sex.

So what is it that makes bareback sex seem exciting these days? Why is bareback in fashion?

As with any behaviour, the more tabo o and risqué the behaviour, the more appe aling it Registered Charity No.1070904

When you enter into a relationship and as a couple you choose to not use condoms you are making a commitment to protect each other, to be honest with one another, and to protect the physical, emotional and sexual health of your partner. You may be willing to play Russian Roulette with your own health, but is it fair to play Russian Roulette with your partner’s health? Remember, even low risk is still risk, and if your partner has been robbed of the choice, then it’s not a risk he chose to take.

seems to be. Often as risk increases, so does the rebellious feeling of excitement. Like with junk food and smoking, anything that is potentially bad for us appears that little bit more enticing.

Porn has somehow capitalised on this, and on many porn and gay dating websites, bareback sex is used as some kind of bargainin g tool. It is as if bareback sex is the designer label compared to its safer sex cousin, which is distin ctly off the rail.

This of course is nonsense, and safer sex needs to be seen as sexy again. In 1990 it was just bad manners not to use a condom, and the thought of offering to ‘do it bareback’ would have been too risky a choice. This was an age when combination therapy was still a few years off, and unfortunately a lot people were still getting very sick and dying of AIDS. It is easy to forget this today, but even though some things have changed, the harsh reality is that the riskier the lifestyle, the more likely it is that there will be consequences later on. One thing that 2010 has in common with 1990 is that condoms are still the best way of prev enting the spread of HIV and other sexually trans mitted infections.

Some things don’t change.

LOOKING FOR ADVICE? 10 Ending Homophobia,

Empowering People

What’s on your mind? Ask the Bear Sexpert sexualhealth@lgf.org.uk

To find out the dates and times of upcoming LGF sexual health clinics, visit www.lgf.org.uk

www.lgf.org.uk

2000-2010 CELEBRATING TEN YEARS

Whether you’re looking for relationship advice, you’re concerned about your sexual health, you want to know the opening times for Cruz 101, or you want to get involved with your community, give the LGF Helpline a call on 0845 3 30 30 30. Staffed from 6pm - 10pm every night! www.lgf.org.uk

45

SPORT

For many Manchester Pride is all about the music, the party and the parade… but this year over the 11 day festival there are loads of opportunities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people and their families and friends to get involved in a wide range of FREE sporting events and activities.

GAME ON

AT PRIDE!

The Qualey Ceilidh Get your moves ready and throw some shapes at the Qualey Ceilidh (folk dancing) evening for the LGB&T community. Dance the night away with the professional band.

For more information contact: www.manchesterquakers.org.uk Friday 20th August, Quaker Meeting House. FREE EVENT. Discover Hill Walking Starting from Piccadilly train station you will catch the train to Edale in the heart of the Peak District. This walk is the perfect beginner’s introduction to the joys of walking and although there are a few hills on route, this is in no way a tiring walk.

Register in advance at info@largeoutdoors. com Sunday 22 August (9am), meet at Piccadilly Train Station, Free Event (but you will have to purchase a train ticket to Edale approx £10).

EOLTVED! G NV

I

Marlin Pride Pool Party Marlin is a monthly swimming group for all trans people, both FTM and MTF. To celebrate Manchester Pride, Marlin are inviting all trans people and their friends and family to join them for this special Pool Party. For more information email: swim@marlin.org.uk Monday 23 August 7.30pm - 9pm, Levenshulme Swimming Baths. FREE EVENT. Out To Dance in the Village Do you think your feet have rhythm?

Out2Dance Manchester are inviting people of all levels and abilities to join in with the same-sex salsa class, learn some basic steps and witness a mini showcase from the group members. It’s the perfect chance to try out the different types of 46

sexy Latin dances including Salsa and Merengue. Out2Dance free t-shirts for those who participate (first come-first served). For more info email: out2dancemanchester@gmail.com Thursday 26th of August(6pm), New York New York. FREE EVENT.

There’s loads more happening over Manchester Pride, so keep an eye on the official website for all the information you’ll need: manchesterpride.com

Pride Canal Run Come along and join Manchester Frontrunners for a friendly run along the canal bank from Manchester to Salford Quays. There will be people running distances between 5K and 10K, at paces to suit all abilities. The Frontrunners will set off from the Sugden Sports Centre, where showers and lockers are available for use – running is a great way to get fit, make new friends, and enjoy the open air. For more information contact www.

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

manchesterfrontrunners.org/ Thursday 26th of August (7pm), Sugden Sports Centre, Free Event It’s a Gay Knock Out One of the best things about sport is that it’s FUN! So why not be part of one of the eight teams from the LGB&T community battling it out through a series of comedy events involving Mary Poppins style handbags, stilettos and sausages! For more info visit www.taurus-bar.co.uk/ Thursday 26th of August (9pm), Taurus Bar, Free Event These are just a handful of sporting events happening over Manchester Pride, for the lowdown on everything from scuba diving to self defence, from ice climbing to Kayaking visit www.manchesterpride.com

SPORT

TEAM LGF’S BIG PLUNGE!

On August 21st Team LGF are heading on up to Strathclyde Country Park to take part in The Great Scottish Swim!

This is Scotland’s biggest outdoor swim with thousands of swimmers diving in and swimming the one mile course across Strathclyde Loch.

Joe, Sam and Joanne (above) are determined to take on the challenge and have been in training for months to make sure they’re fully prepared to swim a mile, no matter how long it takes!

“I’ve been getting ready for the swim by just going a little bit further each time and building it up to a mile. I feel pretty confident I can do it now -though I’ve not had any practice in the great outdoors yet!”

“It’s a pretty big challenge but I’m confident we can do it, though I think seeing me in a wetsuit is worth the

sponsorship alone!” said team LGF-er Joe Spencer.

They’ll be doing either the breast stroke, front crawl or doggy paddle against homophobia, raising sponsorship money to the support The Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF).

The money we’ll be raising from the swim will be going directly to those who need it the most, as The LGF is reported by service users to be one of the first points of contact for them when they have been at a crisis point in their lives.

If you’d like to support Team LGF at The Great Scottish Swim you can sponsor them on JustGiving.com/Joe-Spencer1 The page will still be up after the swim, with the added bonus of photo’s of our swimming sensations in their wet suits, so don’t worry you can still show your support and sponsor them even after the event.

WHERE’S CHRIS? Apologies to those of you looking forward to Chris Manning’s FIT column this issue. Sadly for us (but excitingly for Chris!), he’s taken a new job in London so will be unable to continue his popular fitness column. Everyone at outnorthwest wishes Chris all the best in his new job and for all the hard work he’s done for the LGF.

SPORTS

SHORTS PRIDE SPORT S

So we’ve heard what’s goi ng on sports-wise over Ma nchester Pride, but there are plenty of opport unities to flex your muscle s all year round if you’re LGB&T and based in the north west. Lou Eng lefield from Pride Sports says:“If you are not already taking part in spo rt, but would like to give it a go, why not go to the Team Manchester website www. teammanchester.org and take a look at the huge ran ge of sports groups that already exist in Manch ester? If you don’t see any thing there you fancy, why not start up you r own group? Pride Sports can help you get things going, for examp le with finding a venue, publicity or getting funding.” For more info on Pride Sports contac t lou@pridesports.org or visit www.pridesport s.org

MERSEY MAR AUDERS WIN GFSN SUMME R VASE Liverpool’s Mersey Ma

rauders have triumphed in this year’s Gay Footba Supporters Network’s Sum ll mer Vase in Blackpool. The Marauders beat Birmingham Blaze on pen alties to take home the trop hy...which makes up for losing to Nottingham Ballbois in a thrilling fina l in the previous tournament in Leeds. Go Team!

GET IN!

The wait is nearly over and “GET IN!” the LGF’s healthy living and wellbeing guide is almost here. We’ve been lucky eno ugh to get rugby legend (and accord ing to The Independent on Sunday’s Pink List the most influential gay man in Britain) Gareth Thomas to write the introduction, and it’s full of inspirational stories , tips to get more involved in sport and exe rcise, sporting groups and activities in your area, healthy eating and lots, lots more. Keep a loo k out for Get In! out soon. For more informatio n email: info@lgf.org.u k

2 pages of sport and fitness every issue supported with enthusiasm by: www.lgf.org.uk

47

greater manchester

MaNchEsTeR

Free Safer Sex Packs available at most venues

MaNchEsTeR MaNchEsTeR

88 Listing Indicator

£ Portland Street

Major Street

Hart Street

17

42 44 41

16

Bloom Street

13

9

31

10

32

7

2

AXM

100 Bloom St,

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

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

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Whitworth Street

21

Cruz 101 101 Princess St, 0161 950 0101, one of Manchester’s most popular nightclubs, cruz101.com 11

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

Eagle 15 Bloom Street, new venue.

13

6

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

32 View 40 Canal St, 0161 236 9033

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

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

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

40 The Parlour Richmond St, theparlourmanchester.com

Overdraught Student 121 Princess Street, 0161 237 0811

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

£

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

company bar Only 28 Richmond St, 0161 237 9329, companybarmanchester.co.uk 9 Coyotes 14 Chorlton Street, 0161 236 4007, pleasant two floor bar, coyotesbar.co.uk

25 14

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

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

8

46

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

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

17

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

27 Thompsons Arms 23 Sackville Street, 0161 237 5919.

18

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

19

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

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

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

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

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

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

29

20

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

ne

La

Piccadilly Train Station

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

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

7

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c

Ba

Canal Street

Sackville Gardens

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

6

ina

Registered Charity No.1070904

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

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London Road

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Whitworth Street

PUBS, CLUBS & Bars

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Canal Street

Chorlton Street

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Brazil Street

18

35

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Sackville Street

Princess Street

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Northern Quarter Hart Street

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47 Richmond Street

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39

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Parking Cash Machine

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Bloom Street

£

Major Street

Minshull Street

2

(Free City Centre Bus)

Chorlton Street Bus/Coach Station

27 Abingdon Street

33 1

Chorlton Street

Sackville Street

Princess Street

11

Train Station Metrolink Stop Metroshuttle Stop

Portland Street

cluB Nights ALERT Fetish at Legends, 4th Friday of the month club-alert.com BOLLOX Pop/Indie at Legends, 3rd Friday of the month bolloxclub.com Club Fizz Charlton Club, women only 2nd Friday of the month, 9pm-1am £5, see facebook CLub lash Fetish at Legends, 2nd Friday of the month clublash.com Eager Beaver at Manto Bar Lounge, Friday’s FEDERATION Mainly Men at The Ritz, every bank holiday clubfederation.com gen-e-sis Women at Eden, lesbian club, 1st Sat of the month genesisclubnight.co.uk Homoelectric at Legends, 1st Friday every other month homoelectric.com Man Bears present Hairy! Bear at Legends, 2nd Saturday of the month manbears.co.uk Mish Mash Cabaret Circle Club, every 2nd Friday of the month, 8pm £8, mishmash1.com

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

Listings are continually being updated. Please email your listing to: listings@lgf.org.uk Venues Key

Mixed

Mainly Men

Mainly Women

Mainly Trans

Bar

Dance Floor

All information provided by venues. Please check before arrival

48

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

Serves Food

Cash Point

Outdoor Seating

Disabled Access

greater manchester

42

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

Olive Deli 36-38 Whitworth St, 0161 236 2360

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

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

Morning Glory at Queer, after hours every Saturday

43

Organic at Spirit, after hours every Sat.

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

POPTASTIC Pop/Indie at Alter Ego, 07974 248 247 poptastic.co.uk Pretty in Pink 80’s club night joe.spencer@lgf.org.uk

commuNity & HEalth

Albert Kennedy Trust Princess House, 105-107 Princess St, 0161 228 3308, providing supported lodgings, mentoring, be-friending and information and advice to young LGBT people, admin@akt.org.uk 33

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

QueensClean.co.uk Gay owned cleaning service. 0753 329 2451/ 0161 298 0335, queensclean@2die4.com 45 ROB 17 China Lane, 0161 236 6222, for all your leather, rubber and twisted gear, rob.com

The Lesbian Community Project 49-51 Sidney Street, 0161 273 7128, manchesterlep.org.uk

UPPERCUTS BARBERS The Arndale Market, 07784 156 693

The Village Citizen Advice Bureau 25a Hankinson Way, Salford Precinct, 0161 834 2005, advice@thevillage.org.uk

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

33 The Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF) Princess House, 105-107 Princess St, 0161 235 8035, for all your LGB information and services, lgf.org.uk

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

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

CROMA Pizza and Pasta 30 Longfield Centre, Prestwich, 0161 798 7666, croma.biz 35 DRIP COFFEE Fourways House,

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

Eighth Day Vegan 111 Oxford Road, 0161 273 1850 36 Genghis khans 16 Chorlton Street,

0161 228 1631, genghiskhans.co.uk

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

Lava Café Bar Castle Quay, 0161 833 2444, lavacafebar.co.uk LIVEBAIT Gay Friendly 22 Lloyd Street, 0161 817 4110, santeonline.co.uk SAPPORO Teppanyaki 91-93 Liverpool Road, 0161 831 9888 38 Shang Hi Gay Friendly 61 Whitworth St, 0161 228 7868

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

Shops & sERVICES 34 Bannatynes Health Club Gay Friendly 36-38 Whitworth St, 0161 236 6864 39

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

Dr Phil Tyson 0161 256 1890, Men’s Psychotherapist and relationship counselling. menstherapy.co.uk 41 Funky Crop Shop 37 Bloom Street,

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 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.

EatEriEs

Manchester Smoking Cessation 0161 205 5998

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

RECREATION clubrecreation.co.uk

BRASSERIE Gay Friendly Albert Square, 0161 834 7633

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

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

SaUNaS

CLINICS Jarman Clinic Withington Hospital, 0161 217 4939 North Manchester GUM Delaunays Rd, Crumpsall, 0161 720 2681 North Manchester Hospital Same day HIV test clinic, 0161 720 2845 Rusholme Health Centre Walmer Street, 0161 225 6699 outreach Clinic @ the LGF and 4 other locations, Mondays, no appointment needed, 0161 235 8035, lgf.org.uk

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

Rapid HIV Testing @ the LGF Thursdays 4-6pm, no appointment needed, results in 20 mins, 0161 235 8035, lgf.org.uk

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

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

47

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

aGENCIES 42nd St 20 Swan Street, 0161 832 0170, advice for young LGBs, fortysecondstreet.org.uk Addaction 31 Robert St. 0161 214 0770, Prison resettlement for people with drug problems, addaction.org

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

Registered Charity No.1070904

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

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

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

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

BiPhoria 07941 811124, bisexual support 18+, biphoria.org.uk BLACK NORTH WEST 0845 3 30 30 30, for lesbian, gay and bisexual people of colour, meet at the LGF on the first Friday of the month from 7.30pm.

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

Edward carpenter community of gay men fortnightly meetings for gay men support, trust and friendship - also longer breaks away, gaycommunity.org.uk ESSENCE COUNSELLING info@essencecounselling.org www.essencecounselling.org friends of sackville gardens 0161 235 8012, Meets monthly to plan improvements, maintenance and new planting in Sackville Gardens, emma@lgf.org.uk Gaydio c/o The LGF, Princess House, 105-107 Princess St, 00845 310 2712, 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 gay MARRIED MENS GROUP A support group meets 1st and 3rd Tuesday 7.30-9pm at the LGF, 0845 3 30 30 30 Gay Naturist SWIM all ages, nude_n_manchester@yahoo.co.uk Icebreakers gay & bi men's support group meets 8pm every Wednesday at the LGF, 0845 3 30 30 30, icebreakersmanchester.org.uk Inner Enigma 0845 838 1264, trans and intersex support and advice, info@innerenigma.co.uk

NorTh WeSt

NorTh weSt

Alcohol and Drug Services 29a Ardwick Green North, 0161 272 8844 alcoholanddrugservices.org.uk

NorTh WeSt

Barnardo’s Health Through Action The Progress Centre, Charlton Place, Ardwick Green, 0161 273 2901

WEBSITEs

BARNArDOS MANCHESTER LEAVING CARE SERVICES 36 Monton Street, 0161 226 6722, barnardos.org.uk Black Health Agency 464 Chester Rd, 0161 226 9145, AIDS Helpline: 0800 0967500, blackhealthagency.org.uk Body Positive 39 Russell Road, Whalley Range, 0161 882 2200, bpnw.org.uk Community Alcohol Team 0161 230 6382, manchestercat.org

0161 237 1032, village hair shop.

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

49 Gayter Hairdressing 57 Hilton Street, 0161 236 1128, hair salon, gayterhairdressing.com

George House Trust 77 Ardwick Green North, 0161 274 4499, ght.org.uk Lifeline 101-103 Oldham St, 0161 839 2054, lifeline.org.uk

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

Groups

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

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

SHOPS & Services

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

Please email your listing to: listings@lgf.org.uk

www.lgf.org.uk

49

greater manchester GROUPS (CoNt.) KESHET Advocacy, education and support service for jewish LGB&Ts, 07528 700 926, info@keshetmanchester.org.uk Lesbian and Gay Youth Manchester (LGYM) LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney St, 0790 0680725, young LGBT people, 14-25, Tues 7.30-10pm, Sat 3-7pm info@lgym.org.uk lesbian asylum group LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, for LB women who have gained or are attempting to gain asylum status. kerry.maskell@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk lesbian discussion group LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, for LB women, meets 3rd Wed of the month, 7-8.30pm, to debate issues & share views kerry.maskell@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk lesbian mental health support group LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, for 18+ LB women and M2F transwomen, meets every other friday. kerry.maskell@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk lesbian reading group (& lending library) LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, for LB women, meets 3rd Wed of the month, to discuss or choose books from the library 6-7pm, kerry.maskell@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk Let’s Do Lunch 07813 083242, lesbian diners every other month, paulad650@aol.com lesbiandiners.org.uk LIK:T 07813 981 338, run by and for young lesbian and bisexual women, 1st Monday of the month, likt_info@likt.org.uk lilac - lesbian cancer support LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, 3rd Mon of the month, 7-8.30pm, for LB women who have experienced any form of cancer. lilacgroup@hotmail.co.uk sheila@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk Manchester Christian Group 07743 476191 Manchester Concord Social group, every Wed from 7pm at the Rembrandt, Canal St. mary@manchesterconcord.org.uk manchesterconcord.org.uk Manchester gay skinheads oi-skinhead.com Manchester Lesbian & Gay Chorus 07944 056047, mlgc.org.uk manchester lesbian community project drop in LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, for LB women, meets 2nd & 4th Thur of the month, 7-9pm, kerry.maskell@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk

OutWrite 07931 915 620, LGBT writing group, outwrite.org.uk Proud 2 b Parents 0161 226 0162, Moss Side Surestart Children’s Centre, 30 Selworthy Rd, for LGB&T parents and their children every 4th Saturday, matthew.roberts@manchester.nhs.uk queer skinhead brotherhood queerskinbrotherhood@googlemail.com Queer Youth Manchester 07092 031 086, info@queeryouth.net Rainbow Families c/o LCP, 0161 273 7128, rainbow_families@hotmail.com rainbow-families@hotmail.com Right2Unite Zion Centre, Hulme, 0161 226 0170, LGB group meets every Tues. salford youth service lgbt youth group at The Base, 0161 778 0702, steve.dyson@salford.gov.uk

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, manchesterstingers.net 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.

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

NORTHERN ACES TENNIS GROUP 07929 917 361, tennis play in a social yet competitive environment, professional coaching, northernacestennis.com

Sphere 07854 901330, contribute to a South Asian LBT theatre project, all@sphere.org.uk

NORTHERN FLIGHT BADMINTON CLUB For experienced players, northernflight.org.uk

STEPPING STONES 0845 3 30 30 30, A support group for lesbian and bisexual women meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday 7.30-9pm.

northern jump 07783 297965, volleyball group, northernjump.co.uk

Triangle Club group for deaf LGBs, triangle_club_@hotmail.com

Northern Wave swimming club 0161 872 1990, swimming for all, northernwave.org

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

GrOUPS

READING GROUP FOR LESBIAN AND GAY LITERATURE 01204 333173, 3rd Tues of the month 6.30pm, central.library@bolton.gov.uk

groups

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

bUrY

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

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

groups

Bury Anti-homophobic bullying group 0161 253 5884

LGBT Reading Group Lounge Bar, Ramsbottom, 0161 253 6625, last Monday of the month 6.30-8.00, i.jenkinson@bury.gov.uk n.franklin@bury.gov.uk POG (Proud of Gayness) 0161 253 7733, Connexions, 13-15 Broad St, Bury, safe environment for young LGBTQ people to meet, connexions-bury.org.uk

Transforum Ninian’s Church, Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton, 07500 741 955, TransGender discussion & mutual support group, meets 4th Sat of the month 4.30pm, jennyannebuk@yahoo.co.uk

orca divers 125 Manchester Road, Chorlton, 0161 718 3118, orcadivers.com

VADA Theatre Company PO Box 92, vada.theatre@googlemail.com

OUTDOOR LADS gay and bi-sexual lads into outdoor activities, outdoorlads.com

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

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

outdoor lads climbing club outdoorlads.com

ChOrlTon

Out on Sunday 07775 671691, walking group, outonsunday.co.uk

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

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

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

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

OPEN ATHLETICS 07709 000 436, openathletics.org

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 WEEKENDERS lesbian and gay walking group based in the North of England, geocities.com/weekenders_uk wheelies fc Manchester Leisure Sports Centre, Denmark Road, mixed womens football every Sunday from 11am to 1pm.

SErvicEs

EaTERIES

The Lead Station 99 Beech Road, 0161 881 5559

shops

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

sauNas

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

CLUB NIGHTS

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

Manchester Parents Group 01565 733891

Gay city strollers 0845 3 30 30 30, city centre walking group, info@lgf.org.uk

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

Gay gordons manchester Scottish Country and Ceilidh Dancing and classes gay-gordons-manchester.co.uk

BoLtOn

pubs, clubs & bars

Metropolitan Community Church United Reformed Church, Wilbraham Rd, 0161 881 6050, LGB&T led christian church mccmanchester.co.uk

The Star 11 Bow St, 01204 361113

GAY OUTDOOR GROUP transpennine walking group, 07855 197607 goctranspennine.org.uk

Dog & Duck 25 St. Domingos Street, 07999 060646 thedogandduck.com

club NightS

THE ABBEY INN Mixed 77 West Street.

MMU LGBT mmu_lgbt@hotmail.co.uk

Ghap badminton text 07946 191 482, ghapbadminton.org.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

MANCHESTER BADMINTON CLUB 07939 477026, Badminton club for the less experienced player.

open mic night Women Only LGBT Centre, 49-51 Sidney St, 0161 273 7128, Women only & alcohol free, last Wed of the month, 7-10pm, £1 addmission. kerry.maskell@lesbiancommunityproject.co.uk Out In The City call Sue 0161 205 3851, meets Thursdays. oitc.wordpress.com

50

out to the theatre Jon: 01457 877 161, gay men’s social group, joncassun@yahoo.co.uk

Manchester Front Runners 07813 336 445, running club catering for all abilities, meets every Thurs in the city centre, co-chairs@manchesterfrontrunners.org manchesterfrontrunners.org Manchester jessies Lesbian & bisexual women’s walking group, meets twice monthly manchesterjessies@googlemail.com

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

aGENCIES & CLINICs

Bolton Centre for Sexual Health Minerva Road, Farnworth, 01204 390771 HIV worker Emma Massey 01204 390772 MENTAL HEALTH independent support (MhIST) 30 Chorley New Road, 01204 527200, mhist.co.uk

OlDhAm

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

CLINICs

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

SaUNaS

Pennine Sauna 96 Rochdale Rd, Shaw, 01706 842 000

GROUPS

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

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

Lancashire ROcHdAlE PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

Bar Vegas 37 Bailey St, 01706 630 708

CLINICS

Crisis Intervention Team 01706 517 613

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

GROUPS

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

SaLfOrD

aGENCIES & CLINICs

Brook Advisory 55 Regent Street, Eccles, 0161 707 9550 eccles gateway Church Street, 0161 212 5717, thurs 6-83.0pm, 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.

Goodman Sexual Health Clinic Oaklands Hospital, 0161 212 5717, Appt only: Mon 9-11.30am, 1-4.30pm, 6-9.30pm, Tue 9-11.30am, Wed 1-4.30pm, Thurs 9-11.30am & 1-4.30pm, Fri 9-11.30am. DROP IN: Tue 2-4.30pm & 6-8.30pm. starting Out Project Neil 07766 550264 0161 607 1620, Salford City Council’s young LGBT tenancy support service. neil.cochrane@salford.gov.uk swinton clinic 139 Partington Lane, 0161 212 5100, Mon 2-4.30pm, Tue 6-8.30pm, Fri 2-4.30pm drop in.

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

Groups

Salford LGBT Network 07947 909 339, for people who live, work or study in Salford, salfordlgbt.net SALFORD YOUTH @ The Base, 0161 778 0702, for young LGBT people to meet, recieve advice, info and support. steve.dyson@salford.gov.uk

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

GROUPS

Out in stockport Stepping Hill, 0161 483 4784 outinstockport.wordpress.com People Like Us (PLUS) LGBT Social support group, 2nd Wed of the month at The Arden Arms, 7.30pm, stockportplus.org PLUS Exercise Group (PEG) 07880 746 079, arranges monthly walks in the Stockport area PLUS Reading Group 07880 746079 The Base LGBt YOUTH GROUP Diverse City, 0161 475 7700, 0161 426 9696, thebase@stockport.gov.uk

SPORTS GROUPS

Stagedoor 23 Mincing Lane, 01254 674761

CLINICS

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

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

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

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

OrMsKIrk

GROUPS

THE LOLLIPOP LOUNGE Disraelis 1, 26 Church St, every Tuesday thelollipop.co.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 Out Youth LGBT Group East Lancs The Hub, Accrington & Rossendale College, 07895 794850, 14-19 yr olds, 6-8pm 1st & 3rd Tues.

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

SOLICITORS

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

edgehill university LGBT society search on facebook

CLINICS

aGENCIES

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

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

CLINICs

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

GROUPS

Glossop LGBT group glossoplgbt.co.uk

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

PrEstOn

Sexual Health Services for the Under 25’s www.condomcollective.com

Blowing Wild Club Grimshaw Street, open Thurs, Fri, Sat, 07752 512232

EaTERIES

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

Red Triangle Café St. James St, 01282 832319

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

GROUPS

trAfFoRd CLINICs

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

Project Oscar 0800 7835345, LGBT info & support, project-oscar@centrallancashire.nhs.uk clangles.com

Sexual Health Clinic St. Peter’s Centre tel 01282 644300

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

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

Oblivion 12-14 Grimshaw St, 01772 252876 The Hangout Hammonds Row (opposite Bus Station), 07985 327052, Saturdays 21.302.30 (weekday student nights coming soon), preston-hangout.co.uk

CLINICS

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

AGENCIES

aGENCIES

CHOrlEy

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

GROUPS

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

Preston HIV Support Team Helpline: 01772 468170, PO Box 515, Preston, PR1 8XP, phivst@aol.com

POUT! 0800 7831524, youth group and helpline, every Wed, pout99@hotmail.com lancsycs.org/pout

Project Oscar 0800 7835345, LGBT info & support, project-oscar@centrallancashire.nhs.uk clangles.com

aGENCIES

GROUPS

Relate 346 Chester Road, 0161 872 0303

HIV Support Group 0161 912 4611, hivpractitioner@trafford.org.uk No Attitude 0161 912 2453, LGB youth group.

WIGan

GROUPS

LanCAStEr

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

GROUPS

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

pubs, clubs & bars

GROUPS

Age Concern 56 Wellington Street, 0161 480 1211

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

TamEsIde

BACKSTAGE BAR 135 St James St, 01282 414895

ARDEN ARMS 23 Millgate, 0161 480 2185

aGENCIES

CLINICS

West Lancs LGBT Community Support Group 0844 357 8062, 143 Tarlswood, New Church Farm. Wn8 8NU, includes support for the Romanian community, westlancashirelgbtcommunity.co.uk

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

Sexual Health Clinic Royal Albert Infirmary, Wigan Lane, 01942 822 277

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

CLUB NIGHTS

Burnley

sTOcKpOrT

GUM DEPARTMENT Stepping Hill Hospital, 0161 419 5370

CLINICS

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

Project Oscar 0800 7835345, LGBT info & support, project-oscar@centrallancashire.nhs.uk clangles.com

CLINICs

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

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

CLINICs

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

MorEcAmBe

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

wYtHenShAwE aGENCIES

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

CLUB NIGHTS

DANCING DIVA For more information, dancingdiva5@hotmail.com

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

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

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

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

PRESTON LGBT CENTRE Drop-in Sean 07966 373 110, 1st Thurs of the month, 6.30pm at Disability Equality (NW), 103 Church St search facebook

LanCaSHire PYRO (Proud Youth Are Out) 07717 301821,

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

LanCaSHire

uclan lgbt employee network lgbtstaff@uclan.ac.uk

LanCaSHire

BlACkBuRn PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

Bar Ibiza 43 Darwen St, 01254 695379 C’est La Vie 11-15 Market St, 01254 691877

GROUPS

13-15 years, naomh.mckee@lancashire.gov.uk

CLINICS

Royal Lancaster Infirmary Ashton Community Care Centre, 01524 387402 Listings are continually being updated.

Please email your listing to: listings@lgf.org.uk

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

www.lgf.org.uk

51

Blackpool 8 31 48

13 21 27 63

30

23

BlAckpOoL BlAckpOoL HOTELS

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

High Street

53

20 18 47 Pleasant Street

Lord Street

Dickson Road

General Street

Promemade

14

BlAckpOoL

Anchorage 18 Withnell Road, 01253 341771 1

2 Ash Lea Hotel 76 Lord Street, 01253 628161, ashleahotel.com 3 Astor Hotel 83-85 Lord Street, 01253 290669 4

Athol 3 Mount St 01253 624918

5 Belvedere 77 Dickson Road, 01253 624733 6 BLENHEIM HOTEL 75 Lord Street, 01253 623204, blenheimhotel.org.uk

50

9 25 10

61

51

Banks Street 55 23 43 57

General Street

17 58 52

15 33 14 54 36 12

8 Brooklyn 7 Wilton Parade, 01253 627003 9

Camelot 80 Hornby Rd, 01253 620518

35

13

DERBY HOTEL, 2 Derby Rd, 01253 623708

44

14

Dixon 84 Dickson Rd, 01253 752379

22

15

Edward 27 Dickson Rd, 01253 624271

16

FOUR SEASONS 74 Lord St, 01253 622583

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

41 High Street

30 11

3 10 11 Queen Street

Guyz 16 Lord Street, 01253 622488

Milbourne St. Caunce St.

25

S. King St.

Loepold Gr.

Coronation St.

Train Station Tram Stop Parking

reet

Chur ch St

reet

9

88 Venue Indicator

£

Legends Hotel 45 Lord Street, 01253 620300 23

24

Lenbrook 69 Lord St, 01253 626737

25

Liberty's Hotel 01253 291155

26 Lonsdale Hotel 25 Cocker Street, 01253 621628 27

Lyndale Court Hotel 01253 354033

28

Lynmar 74 High St, 01253 290046

29

Mardi Gras 41 Lord St, 01253 751087

McHALL’S HOTEL 5-7 Lord Street, 01253 625661 30

31 Merecliff Hotel 24 Holmfield Road, 01253 356858

Cash Machine Blackpool Tower Pedestrianised

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

Registered Charity No.1070904

et gS tre K in

Cookson Street

Topping Street

Abingdon Street

18

Chur ch St

88 Hotel Indicator

52

24

42 Rubens Hotel 39 Lord Street, 01253 622920 43 Sandylands 47 Banks St, 01253 294670 44 Seacroft Suites 27 Lord Street, 01253 628304 45 Stratford 72-74 Dickson Road, 01253 624020

47 SUSSEX HOTEL 14-16 Pleasant Street, 01253 627824

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

46 Charles St.

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

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

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

George St.

Pier View 16 Banks St, 01253 624555

46 Sunnyside 16 Charles Street, 01253 622983

22

13

Park House 81 Lord St, 01253 314571

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

21

Talbot Road 5

21

38

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

et

Promemade

1

12

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

42

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

34 20

37 Northern Star 9 Lord Street, 01253 628073

40

Heatherdale Lodge 2 Pleasant Street, 1253 626268

32

36 NORTHERN LIGHTS HOTEL 26 Springfield Road, 01253 317016

Christines 1 Lord St, 01253 312260

4

19

35 North Central Hoilday Flats 29 Lord Street, 01253 621831

11

37

6

34 New Hertford 18 Lord Street, 01253 621831

29

19

26 29 16

New Bond 72 Lord St, 01253 628123

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

62

8

33

CHaps 9 Cocker St, 01253 620541

20

North Pier

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

10

19

15

Dickson Raod

Abingdon Stre

Promemade

27 7

Brene Hotel 37 Lord St, 01253 621854

7

2 1

28

7

34

31

22

28

High Street

40

Lord Street

Promemade

45

Cocker Street 60 24

Dickson Raod

39

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

26

Listings are continually being updated.

Please email your listing to: listings@lgf.org.uk

THE Berkeley 6 Queens Promenade, 01253 351244 selfcatering.tv 48 THE GYNWAY HOTEL 205 Dickson Rd, 01253 314747, gynwayblackpool.com 49 The Wilcot Hotel 80 Lord Street, 01253 621101 50 Thorncliffe 63 Dickson Road, 01253 622508 51 Trades Men Only 51 Lord Street, 01253 626401 52 VALENTINE HOTEL 35 Dickson Road, 01253 622775, valentinehotelblackpool.co.uk 53 VIDELLA HOTEL 78-82 Dickson Road, 01253 621201 54 Village Hotel 14 Springfield Road, 01253 290840 55 warwick Holiday flats 39 Bank Street, 01253 623787 56 Westfield House 78 Lord Street, 01253 621992, westfieldhouse.co.uk 57 WILLOWFIELD GUESTHOUSE 51 Banks Street, 01253 623406, willowfield-guesthouse.co.uk 58 Windsor House 47 Dickson Road, 0870 620 7000, windsorhousehotel.net 59

Woodleigh 11 Yates St, 01253 624997

Worcester House 22 Cocker Street, 01253 620007 60

Blackpool and cumbria Registered Charity No.1070904

Pubs, Clubs & BaRs

Cruz Bar 23 Dickson Rd, 07946 528153

1 FG2 Mixed 5 Dickson Road, 01253 649153, fg2online.co.uk

lgbt forum 0787 355 390, council led community meeting every 2nd Tues 6.30pm.

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

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

Mardi Gras Mixed 114 Talbot Road, 01253 296262 5

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

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

8 TABOO Mixed 69-71 Talbot Road, 01253 622573, tabooonline.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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

14

Buddies Chippy 28 Dickson Street

15 Café Latté 30-32 Dickson St, 01253 752077

Don Antonio 91 Redbank Rd, 01253 352440

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

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

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

The Buttery 1 Cheapside, 01253 296667 19

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

!

RE-Opening

Lancashire Lad’s group (for trans f to m) 07833 738035, 07768 956640, 07875 355390, meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month at SHIVER, 7pm.

SaUNas 22 ACQUA SAUNA CLUB 25-26 Springfield Road, 01253 294610, acquasaunas.com 23 Honeycombe Sauna 97-107 Egerton Road, 01253 752211 honeycombe.net

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

CLINICS & aGENCIES

LGBT PACT 07878 355 390, police and community meetings 1st Thurs of the month.

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

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

aGENCIES

Relaxation group 01253 311431 at SHIVER

GrOUPS

City Learning Centre Bathhurst St, 01253 478 309, clcbusiness.com

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

Connexions 2-8 Market Street, 01253 754840, connexions-direct.com 27

HIV Nursing Team 150/158 Whitegate Health Centre, 01253 657171 29 NHS Drop In Centre 26 Talbot Road, 01253 655871

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

AGENCIES

AmBlESidE

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

Evolution Hair Studio Gay Owned 255 Dickson Road 33 Paul’s 5 General St, 01253 290928 unisex hairdresser.

Connexions 28 Lowther Street, 01228 596272 Pride in north cumbria 07901 765453, Young people 14-25 meet twice weekly, prideinnorthcumbria.webs.com

SaUNaS

Sweat Sauna Club Atlas House, Nelson St.

KenDal CliNICS

Sexual Health Clinic Westmoorland General Hospital, Burton Rd, 01539 716 706 Connexions 124 Highgate, 01539 730045

30 SHIVER (Sexual Health HIV Education & Responses Drugline Lancashire Ltd) The Corner House, 102 Dickson Road, 01253 311 431

Atkinson, Cave & Stuart 45 Springfield Road, 01253 293151

Cumberland Infirmary 01228 814 814

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

SOLICITOrS

CliNICS

CuMbrIa aGENCIES

Sexual Health Clinic 150/158 Whitegate Health Centre, 01253 657171

31

south lakes lgbt forum Wendy Phizacklea, 01229 836 426, 07742 353 520, 48-50 Suffolk Street, 13-24 LGBTQ youth meets weekly, wendyphizacklea@youngcumbria.org.uk

cArLisLe

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

26 Connect 01253 751047, connectyoungpeople.co.uk

pro active young gays and lesbians (paygal) Wendy Phizacklea, 01229 836 426, 07742 353 520, wendyphizacklea@youngcumbria.org.uk

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

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

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

hotEls & B&B's

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

Cumbria LesbIans Network 01539 741 285, 1st Saturday of the month, clnetwork@sky.com Cumbria Societies Brewery Arts Centre, c/o Switchboard 01524 847 437

PeNRIth aGENCIES

outREACH Cumbria gaycumbria.info

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

wHiTeHaveN

BarRow|iN FuRNESs

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

CliNICS

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

aGENCIES

Connexions 237-241 Dalton Road, 01229 824052

GrOUPS

Groups

WInDerMerE HOTELS & B&B's

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

WorKiNgToN CliNICS

34

Cumbria Lesbians network (CLN) 01524 858 206, clnetwork@tiscali.co.uk

Workington Infirmary Infirmary Lane, 01900 68737

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

PUBS, CLUBS & BarS

SMILE SPA AT HELIO FITNESS Newton Drive, 01253 393909

Perfect Fit Alterations 42 Topping Street, 01253 290156

THE GARDEN PLACE Gay Owned Cropper Road, 01253 699987

GROUPS 18/25 Icebreakers 07878 355 390, for gay & bi men, 1st Tues of the month, 7pm.

Steam packet inn 51 Stanley St, 01900 62186

Can’t Pick Up A Copy Don’t Miss An Issue

25/55 Icebreakers 07878 355 390, meets every last Tues of the month, 7pm.

55+ older men’s group 07878 355 390, meets every 2nd Mon of the month at 2pm and every Thurs 12.30pm.

Blackpool LGBT Reading Group 01253 478 080, Blackpool Central Library, Queen Street, meetings every last Thursday of the month at 6.30pm. central.library@blackpool.gov.uk HIV/HEP C support group 07878 355 390, call for details.

Your magazine for life - from only £14!

Subscribe to the best regional LGBT magazine in the UK and guarantee a fresh copy delivered straight to your door every two months.

Email info@lgf.org.uk or call 0161 235 8033 for more information.

www.lgf.org.uk

53

Merseyside

Registered Charity No.1070904

LiVeRpOoL

LiVeRpOoL LiVeRpOoL Queer Quarter

Around FACT Tithebarn Street

15 The Masquerade Mixed

10 Cumberland St, 0151 236 7786, masqueradebar.com

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

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

54

2

Bold Street

14 The Lisbon Mixed 35 Victoria Street, 0151 231 6831

Bold Street

22-24 Stanley St, 0151 236 6633

et

Back Berry Stre

19 Berry Street

Victoria Street

Roscoe Lane

puzzle 25 Stanley Street

13 Superstar Boudoir

Roscoe Place

Culquitt Street Wood Street

11

23 Cumberland Street

Wood Street

10 Poste House

20 Culquitt Street

London Road

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

18

1

Seel Street

Modo Gay Friendly Concert Square

Fleet Street

8

et

Piccadilly Train Station

GAY OUTDOOR GROUP 07855 197607, transpennine@hotmail.co.uk goctranspennine.org.uk

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

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

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

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

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

1 CAFE TABAC Gay Owned Mathew Street

126 Bold Street, 0151 709 3735

WEBSITES

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

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

GAYLIVERPOOL.COM Website of Gay Liverpool, gayliverpool.com

16 THE MONRO Gastropub 92-94 Duke St, 0151 707 9933, themonro.com

Liverpool Students Union LGBT Society 0151 231 4947

Liverpool Gay Quarter liverpoolgayquarter.com

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

ElLeSMerE|PoRT

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

Heaven Victoria Street, 0151 236 4832 Jupiters 10 Hackins Hey, off Dale Street, 0151 227 5265

16

Back Culquitt Stre

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

EatErIES

12

7

Seel Street

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

Parr Street

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

FACT

14

Victoria Street

Slater Street

Duke Street

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

Duke Street

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

10

Sir Thomas Street

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

13

9

15

Cumberland Street

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

4

21

Stanley Street

Baby D Temple Street

Temple Street

3

12

PUBS, CLUBS & Bars 1 3345 Mixed 33-45 Parr St, 0151 708 6345, 3345parrst.com

Temple Lane

Princes Street

£

Train Station Parking Cash Machine Pedestrianised

North John Street

88 Listing Indicator

11

Davies Street

17

Concert Street

8

Suffolk Street

Dale Street

Dale Street

Sweeting Street

Cunliffe St. Hockenhall All.

5

Vernon Street

6

Eberle Street

7

Moorfields

Tempest Hey

Hackins Hey

£

Exchange Street East

£

Tithebarn Street

aGENCIES & CLINICs

AIDS Helpline 0151 709 9000

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

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

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

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

Parents & Carers Group 0870 9908996

17 The Armistead Project 1 Stanley St,

0870 9908996, armisteadcentre.co.uk

Shops 18 NEWS FROM NOWHERE Bookshop

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

nice 'n' naughty 85 Seel Street

20

nice 'n' naughty 16 Colquitt Street

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

Gay Youth ‘r’ OUT (GYRO) 36 Bolton St, 0151 203 0824, LGB youth 16-25, gyro.org.uk

GROUPS

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

SoutHpOrT PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

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

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

CLINICs

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

St|HELens

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

Listings are continually being updated. Please email your listing to: listings@lgf.org.uk

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

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

CLINICs

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

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

Flex II Tolver St, 01744 758 439

CLUB NIGHT

WORK Bridge Street, every Wednesday.

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

tHE|wIrRaL PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

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

cheshire yorkshire staffs and isle of man Tallulah’s Late Lounge Rowson St/ Victoria Rd, New Brighton, 0774 7561587, Wed nights till late, marion@tallulas.co.uk

aGENCIES

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

CLINICs

Sexual Health Clinic Arrowe Park Road, 0151 604 7339

GROUPS

SaUNas

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

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

aGENCIES

Dinin’ Divas womens dining group dinindivas@yahoo.com

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

Mersey & Dee Women Social group, madw@merseymail.com

GROUPS

Sole Sisters Penny: 07917 533104 or Sandra: 07921 222101, womens walking group.

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

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

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.

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

ChESHire

ChESHire

aGENCIES

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

men’s Group 01270 653 156, outrite.org

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS Bar 6T9 01244 313 608

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

The Three Tuns 9 Bucknall New Road, 01782 769293

9 VIADUCT 11 Lower Briggate, 0113 245 4863

GROUPS

SHOPS

South Staffs MESMEN Project 01543 411413, PO Box 3919, Lichfield, Married Men’s group, TV/TS group and social groups.

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

SaUNaS 11 Basement Sauna

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

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

CLINICs

IsLe|oF|MaN

CLINIC & agENCIES

GROUPS

MACcLeSfIelD Sexual Health Clinic Macclesfield District General Hospital, Victoria Road, 01625 264116

NOrtHWicH GROUPS

UTOPIA 01606 350 750, LGB youth group meets every Weds 6.45-9.15pm, northwich@utopialgb.org.uk Northwich Sauna Winnington Lane, 01606 784881, sauna-sauna.info

RunCoRN

HOTELS

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

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

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

YORKSHIRE MESMAC mesmac.co.uk

Guys & Dolls Showbar Gay Friendly Peverill Sq, Douglas,

YorKSHire YorKSHire

LEeDs 88 Listing Indicator

£

Parking Cash Machine Pedestrianised

Sexual Health Halton General Hospital, 01928 753217

11

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

WARringToN White Hart Sankey Street, 01925 241994

CLINICs

Gay Healthy Alliance Project PO Box 539, 01925 631101

Leeds.indd 1

Blayd’s Mews

8

Swinegate

CLINIC

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

9

Heaton’s Court (back)

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

aGENCIES

3

1 Bar Fibre Lower Briggate, 08701 200888

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

The New Union 3 Union Bank Yard, New Street, 01484 535435 HUGG Social group for gay & bi men, 18+,every Tuesday from 8pm. hugg.org.uk

10 5 1

HeBDEn BrIdgE

6

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

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

NELSONS WINE BAR Crown St, 01422 844 782

SCaRBoROuGh

The Calls

1 7

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

THE GREYHOUND Manchester Road, 01484 420 742

GROUPS

£

Heaton’s Court (front)

EaTERIES

Sexual Health Clinic Lovely Lane, 01925 662476

HUDdERsFiEld

YorKSHire PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

CLINIC

Liverpool Arms Northgate Street, 01244 314 807 Sexual Health Clinic Chester Hospital, Liverpool Road, 01244 363 091

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

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

Parr St.

CheStER

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

THE Club 14 Hillcrest St, 01782 201829

Briggate

GROUPS

PUBS, CLUBS & BarS

Blayd’s Yard

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

StaFfOrdSHIRE

Briggate

Sexual Health Clinic Leighton Hospital, Middlewich Rd, 01270 612255

FLUID (Freedon to Love Ur IDentity) 07747 473 829

Gascoigne St.

CLINICs

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

4 Old Red Lion Meadow Lane, 0113 242 6779

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

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

ChESHire SaUNaS

CRewE

Chester Uni Warrington Campus LGBT Society search facebook

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

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

OUTRITE groups 01270 653156, support and social groups, outrite.org

WIRRAL TRANSISTER 07833 385126, for TV/CD.

GROUPS

8

PUBS, CLUBS & BaRS

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

GROUPS

OLGA 07929 465 044, Older Lesbian, Gay, Bixexual and Transgender Association 12/5/09 12:21:30

WE’RE HERE IF YOU NEED US! 0845 3 30 30 30

www.lgf.org.uk

www.lgf.org.uk

55