LGBTQ+ HIstory Month
February marks LGBTQ+ History Month, and here at Citizens Advice Manchester we’re based in the heart of Manchester’s gay village. As a service, we champion equality and felt it was important to mark the history of the streets that surround us, so Adviceline adviser, Rob, took a look back at the history of our home and the LGBTQ movement in Manchester:
It was actually by accident that the village became how it did. It started off only as a couple of venues compared to the bustling streets of bars we know and love today, beginning with the New Union, Napoleons, and the Rembrandt - 3 taverns which sprung up in the area of the city centre that was left forgotten as the industries moved out of the warehouses and mills. The scene was grimy and hidden away, which was the perfect secret haven for sexual activity which was deemed illegal and criminal back then, with gay and bisexual men as well as prostitutes.
It was a time of isolation for gay people back then as it was still illegal for men to have sexual encounters with other men - they were not seen as part of society where many people were left feeling conformed to marry somebody of the opposite sex.
The New Union pub itself started out as a place for men to meet female prostitutes, but it soon started to attract a small number of gay men into the mix. Female prostitutes and gay men might sound like an odd combination, but it was a relationship of mutual legal protection. If the police ever raided, the prostitutes would pretend to be the gay men’s girlfriends so that neither could be arrested for their respective crimes: prostitution or men that were having sex with men.
It was a time of isolation for gay people back then as it was still illegal for men to have sexual encounters with other men - they were not seen as part of society where many people were left feeling conformed to marry somebody of the opposite sex.
The New Union pub itself started out as a place for men to meet female prostitutes, but it soon started to attract a small number of gay men into the mix. Female prostitutes and gay men might sound like an odd combination, but it was a relationship of mutual legal protection. If the police ever raided, the prostitutes would pretend to be the gay men’s girlfriends so that neither could be arrested for their respective crimes: prostitution or men having sex with men.
After campaigning in Manchester, London and other cities in 1967 the law changed so that homosexual sex was no longer seen as illegal but society’s attitude still had a long way to go.
In the 70s, the civil rights movement in Manchester continued to campaign for equality. The Rembrandt Pub opened its doors as well as one or two others; these bars were regularly raided by the police aiming to catch gay men out in engaging in sexual activity. A law was applied by the police unfairly as it was only applied to gay men - the attitudes were perceived as majorly homophobic.
It was in the early 80s that the HIV/AIDS epidemic came along, which caused a huge increase in homophobia throughout society but caused the gay community to stand together stronger than ever. The Thompson Arms (my personal favourite before cruz 101 on a saturday night) seems to have opened around this time if not earlier.
By the late 80s more and more gay people were coming out. In Manchester protests began that passed through the city centre, through the gay village and ended at the town hall against Section 28, legislation brought in to “prohibit the promotion of homosexuality”. Around 20,000 people marched which was hugely significant - not all were gay. In the village, New York, New York, Queen Bar (now Company), and Napoleons opened at around this time, with the New Union and the Rembrandt still going strong.
It was also in the late 80s that Pride was born, although it wasn’t named Pride until many years later. Starting with the owners of the Rembrandt, Napoleons and the New Union who wanted to do something for August Bank holiday weekend, the main event in the first year was an afternoon bring and buy sale. The vigil aspect of pride came a few years later, when many gay people young and old starting losing their loved ones and friends to HIV/AIDS.
The 90s was described as a glass-fronted revolution for the Gay Village, as the newly opened bar Manto changed the scene, from the ‘behind closed doors’ feel to big glass-fronted venues, which were symbolic of being out and proud. This was followed with other bars opening too such as Metz, Prague 5 which is now G-A-Y, Poptastic and Cruz 101 (my favourite).
The late 90s brought Queer As Folk, which was a breakthrough television series centred around three gay men in the Village. Broadcast on Channel 4, it signified that there had been a major shift in society’s attitudes towards gay people, and put the Gay village on the map!
By the 00s the Village was similar to how it is now but the Beacon of Hope was significant. The Beacon of Hope stands on the edge of the canal in Sackville Gardens. It is a steel structure that lights up in the evening and acts as a symbol of remembrance. Although times have moved on, it is there to never forget the gay loved ones we have lost due to HIV/AIDS.
Today the Village is a bustling setting with plenty of bars and clubs that give a vibrant lively atmosphere. It also has the Village Business Association, the Lesbian and Gay foundation, and Manchester Pride which is one of the biggest pride events in the UK, there is also a myriad of community groups around every kind of leisure activity you could imagine. We’re also proud to call it home as the location of our Citizens Advice Manchester main offices.
Looking at the history it is clear that the community has been brought together by the Gay Village. A community which, as long as the Village can continue to be a part of change for the better and keep us with them, its future will remain secure and continue to evolve with the ever growing times.