Out in the City
Dive into Manchester's vibrant LGBTQ+ scene during the 1990s and early 2000s to see how LGBT Foundation thrived
ReadOut in the City (1975/2000)LGBT Foundation
As queer communities gained visibility around the world, find out how LGBT Foundation flourished in Manchester's vibrant LGBTQ+ scene during the 1990s and early 2000s. Discover the pivotal moments and places that shaped LGBT Foundation's success.
The Beacon of Hope
From gay night "Flesh" taking over the Haçienda nightclub to the unveiling of the Beacon of Hope and Alan Turing Memorial in Sackville Gardens, Manchester became a symbol of queer solidarity and the work of local legacy organisations continued to uplift LGBTQ+ communities.
Treat in the Streets
Fundraising events during the HIV/AIDS crisis became a fixture of the gay and lesbian community, with Mardi Gras 1999 remembered as one of the greatest LGBTQ+ celebrations in Mancunian history - these summertime parties soon became ticketed and would evolve into modern day Pride.
The Queer as Folk Effect
With the turn of the millennium looming, another seminal moment was underway: Queer As Folk. Queer as Folk marked the first time LGBT culture had been broadcast so brazenly on mainstream TV and all Channel 4 profits were donated to Healthy Gay Manchester
Photo of the Lesbian and Gay Foundation Launch Party (2000-04-29) by The Lesbian & Gay FoundationLGBT Foundation
2000: The Launch of The Lesbian & Gay Foundation
In 2000 Healthy Gay Manchester merged with the Manchester Gay & Lesbian Switchboard to form the Lesbian & Gay Foundation, or LGF for short, with a broader range of services under its belt.
Charles Street
Also in 2000, LGF moved into what was once the BBC's Sports & Social Club on Charles Street in Manchester, renaming it Unity House.
2001: Unveiling of Alan Turing Memorial in Sackville Gardens
Turing was prosecuted and persecuted for his sexuality and posthumously pardoned in 2014. His legacy enabled many men to be retroactively exonerated through what is commonly known as the "Alan Turing Law". The memorial continues to be a meeting point for the LGBT+ Walking Tour.
Equality in Practice
This was a collaboration between LGF and other agencies to improve lesbian and gay health and access to services; it would lay the foundation for what is now our Pride in Practice scheme, a programme that works to improve the experiences of LGBTQ+ people accessing primary care services to this day.
2002: Mardi Gras
To keep the community informed over the fragile existence of Manchester’s Mardi Gras festival, LGF produced a Daily Out newsletter along with a special edition of Out in Greater Manchester (later known as Out North West) to update the community with news and information.
Out in Greater Manchester Interior Two (2000/2016) by The Lesbian & Gay FoundationLGBT Foundation
Operation Fundraiser
LGF and George House Trust created Operation Fundraiser to distribute funds from Mardi Gras to 80+ HIV & LGBT charities. Over £500k was distributed in 2003-2006. LGF used more half of the money received to develop health information for lesbian and bisexual women.
Daily Out 'LGF Takes to the Streets' Article (2003-08) by Daily OutLGBT Foundation
The Pride of Manchester
2003: EuroPride in Manchester
EuroPride was hosted by Manchester for the first and only time in 2003. LGBT Foundation jumped at the chance to be an official partner of the 10-day celebration, which saw visitors from all over Europe travel for parties, campaigning, health, arts & culture events, and more!
Manchester LGBT Guide Interior Spread (2004/2005) by Marketing Manchester and the International Gay and Lesbian Travel AssociationLGBT Foundation
Homecoming for Sir Ian McKellen
Award-winning actor and one of LGBT Foundation's patrons, Sir Ian McKellen, shares his reflections on EuroPride in this double-page interview. Raised in Greater Manchester, Sir Ian has been an active and vocal member of the LGBTQ+ rights movement since he came out in 1988.
Anti-Section 28 Protest The Gathering (2025-05) by Helen ConstantinouLGBT Foundation
Lifting of Section 28
To add to the jubilant atmosphere of 2003, it was also the year that Section 28 was lifted (a controversial law banning local authorities across the UK from teaching or "promoting" homosexuality in schools).
The Buzz in Manchester
LGF continued to be at the centre of the scene, contributing to travel guides, signposting services and events and distributing more than half a million condoms and lube in a single year.
Influence and Impact
Our opportunities continued to grow, and in 2004 the LGF hosted the Bishop of Manchester (leading to the formation of the Advisory Group on Sexuality) and Nadia Almada, the first trans woman to win Big Brother UK.
2005: Princess Street
LGF relocated to Princess House. To celebrate the occasion and launch the new centre, Sir Ian McKellen visited LGF again together with his old friend Tony Warren (creator of Coronation Street).
Celebrating 30 years of the helpline
LGBT Foundation's Helpline has provided friendly, non-judgemental support to LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones since 1975. Phones may have undergone a technological revolution since the 70s, but our helpline has remained constant. This 2005 poster celebrates 30 years of service.
Tackling hate crime
With LGBT visibility on the rise, inevitably so was hate crime. In partnership with Manchester City Council, the Greater Manchester Police and the Greater Manchester Lesbian & Gay Policing Initiative, LGF produced this guide to identifying and reporting hate crime.
Enough is Enough
LGF produced this poster as part of the 'Enough is Enough! Action Against Homophobia' campaign, launched on May 17 2010 to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia - featuring Queer as Folk and Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton.
Always Proud
We continued to make history in the 2010s and 2020s, launching brand new Education, Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence, and over 50s services while contributing to groundbreaking research into LGBTQ+ health inequalities.
Follow our journey to the present day in our Google Arts & Culture Story, "Proud to Be Behind You". Visit our Partner Page to celebrate five decades of Queer Hope & Joy with us!
History
Icebreakers Manchester
The History of Manchester Pride: From the Notorious 1880s Drag Ball to Mardi Gras & 'Gayfest'
Manchester's Finest
Flesh at the Haçienda, 1990s
British Culture Archive
How Queer as Folk broke the mould for gay people on TV
Joseph Lee, BBC News
Manchester Pride supports Beacon Of Hope HIV Memorial Restoration
Manchester Pride
"The only thing the Supreme Court made clear is how unsafe I feel"
Nadia Almada, Manchester Evening News
With special thanks to Archives+ at Manchester Central Library who hold LGBT Foundation's collections. LGBT Foundation's 50th Anniversary is proudly sponsored by Barefoot Wine and supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
