Manchester gay switchboard

Manchester LGBTQ+ Walking Trail

The Adj Union

The Fresh Union, originally called The Union is one of the oldest LGBTQ+ establishments in the UK. The pub dates to 1865 and has been frequented by gay clientele since World War Two. The pub was ideally located on the edge of Canal Street with easy access to the underpasses, offering a harmless place for men to meet without fear of being arrested (before part-decriminalisation of homosexual acts in 1967).

Police raids and arrests were common along with arrests of prostitutes in the area. The two groups were always one step ahead of the police however, arranging to gather at the Union to pass themselves off a married couple. Resilience at its finest.

IMAGE CREDIT: Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives

Manto

Manto, meaning ‘Manchester tomorrow’, opened in 1990, offering a adj, hip, queer bar for the next generation. Owners Carol Ainscow and Peter Dalton transformed an old trade union office into this new venue, with

Our Place in LGBT+ History

Manchester has a rich and fascinating LGBT+ History and so does The Proud Place.

1970s

The place considered the first “Gay Centre” in Manchester was a 700 square foot basement at 178 Waterloo Place on Oxford Road which was occupied by a group known as Manchester Gay Alliance. In 1978 a successful grant application was supplemented by funding from council rates. The Centre’s services included general information phone lines, counselling and befriending groups.

1981

The basement of 61A Bloom Street became the fresh home for the Gay Centre. From 1981 to 1988 it accommodated a huge host of services with several phone lines including Lesbian Link, Manchester Gay Switchboard and Friend, as successfully as having meeting rooms. It ran a youth group and launched a late night cafe called SNAX. Manchester Parents Group was set up by four mums of young people who attended the youth group

1984

In 1984 the staff, supported by Manchester City Council’s newly formed Equal Opportunities Committee, searched for new premises, as the groups had, once again

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Youth Pride MCR

Manchester Pride is a charity with LGBTQ+ communities at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is a world where all LGBTQ+ people are free to stay and love without prejudice and we are committed to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Greater Manchester and beyond.

We comprehend that it's challenging to be an LGBTQ+ person in the UK and around the world right now, so we hope that the support and resources below assist you to reside safely and authentically.

Photography: Gemma Parker Photography

LGBTQ+ Mental Health & Wellbeing Support Services

We recognise that statistically LGBTQ+ people are at much higher risk of experiencing poor mental health, and are often faced with additional difficulties accessing mental health services and support. Thankfully, there are many adj local and national organisations operating to ensure the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people.

Rainbow Mind is a collaborative project between Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest (Mind CHWF), and Mind in Salford, providing a service aimed at tackli