MANCHESTER, July 31  –  While the City of Westminster in London takes a dim view of the gay-iconic ‘rainbow flag,’ attitudes of officialdom are very different ‘north of Watford’!

In Manchester, the City Council is so proud of it’s LGBT ‘Heritage Trail’ that it has installed permanent rainbow flags paving stones along the trail.

This makes Manchester one of the very few cities in the world to recognise its LGBT community and its history.

The Lesbian and Gay Heritage Trail, and its accompanying short film ‘Out in the Past’, were originally created for EuroPride, staged in the city in 2003. Both the trail and the film were funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The trail now continues through sponsorship by Manchester Arndale.

Recently, the trail was officially recognized with the installation of permanent rainbow tiles created by Manchester based tile artist Mark Kennedy.  Set into the pavement at various points around the city centre, the tiles mark the locations of both key and amusing stories from Manchester’s gay past.

Following EuroPride, the trail began to operate on a year-round basis as well as during the annual Pride festival.  Lasting approximately 2 hours, it takes in venues across the city, not just on Canal Street and the Gay Village of today, showing how the LGBT community spread out and found safe venues from Deansgate to Oxford Road. Now the tour is officially recognized with its inclusion in the city’s guided walks brochure, and the installation of a series of mosaic tiles at key points in the trail.

Tour guide Jon Atkin tells stories of colourful characters like ‘Spanking Roger’ and of Police reports which told of “disgraceful proceedings” at a city centre venue where 22 of the 47 who attended an evening event were men dressed as women – and this in 1880!

“Characters as diverse as Edward Carpenter, Quentin Crisp, Noel Coward and Alan Turing also feature as part of the tour,” explained Jon.

“The trail highlights significant venues and events that illuminate what was once a ‘hidden history’.  It’s a must for anyone interested in Manchester’s and this country’s Queer past.”

Councillor Mary Murphy, Manchester City Council's lead Councillor for Lesbian Issues, said that the city is always delighted to welcome lesbian and gay visitors.

“It is important to remember our history.  The Lesbian and Gay Heritage Trail helps us recall the pivotal role Manchester has played in the struggle against prejudice and homophobia, and how lesbians and gay men battled to establish safe spaces.  I encourage this new generation of lesbians and gay men to go on the trail so they understand where the freedoms they enjoy today came from,” she said.

The most significant feature of the trail is that it is very much a living social history. Jon Atkin takes a notebook with him on every trail to record people’s memories and stories in order that they can be incorporated into future walks.

“It’s a very organic process,” he said.  “The trail grows and adapts over time, shaped by the personal experiences of those who been on the tour previously.  It is in many ways, a living history of gay life in the city.”

Claire Turner, Festival Director for Manchester Pride, comments considers the Heritage Trail helps eveyone to remember that cities worldwide have always had gay communities, even if they have been hidden away and forced into furtive lives.

“It is important that today’s generation is aware of what life used to be like for the LGBT community in the city, and to acknowledge the community’s involvement in the growth and shape of Manchester,” she said.

The Trails take place on the last Sunday of every month (except August & December) and cost £4 per person.  They begin outside the New Union Pub on Canal Street at 3pm. To book a place or for further information please contact Manchester Pride (Monday to Friday 10am-5.30pm) on 0161 238 4548.

During Manchester Pride, FREE trails sponsored by Manchester Arndale, will be taking place on 8 days of the 10-day festival. See the Manchester Pride website www.manchesterpride.com for details.

■  Manchester Pride takes place from August 19 – 29 with the Big Weekend celebrations from 26 – 29 August in Manchester’s famous Gay Village.  The event is the largest Pride fundraiser in the UK for LGBT and HIV charities, raising over £131,000 in 2004.

LINK

Manchester Pride website

31 July 2005