Oy Vey! My Son is Gay!!!

Members of Out In The City gathered at the Mini Cini at Ducie Street Warehouse to see the 2021 film “Half” and the 2009 film “Oy Vey! My Son is Gay!!!”

“Half” is a short film about a bisexual, half-Jewish man seeking belonging and not feeling truly a part of one religion or sexuality.

The main feature “Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!!!” Is a wonderful film about love, family, and acceptance.

Every Friday night, the Hirsch family invites another “perfect” girl to Shabbat dinner in the hopes that their son will marry a nice Jewish girl.

This is put to an end when their son finally reveals that he is already seeing someone, and his parents can’t wait to meet the lucky lady – except she is actually a guy, a non-Jewish one. His parents are distraught, but when reality sets in they begin to blame each other for their son’s sexuality.

I absolutely loved the film especially the scene where the mom will only hear and see what she wants to and is coming to terms with her son being in love with a shiksa who takes her clothes off in public.

The film is genuinely touching, well acted and very humorous. It made me laugh at times and cry at others.

Celebrating Pride

BBC SOUNDS – Celebrating Pride Month

Explore true stories of love, relationships and same-sex weddings to 100 years of queer life in Britain seen through the lens of the arts.

Including “The Allusionist” (podcast on Polari) and “Public Indecency: Queer Art in Britain” there are more than 30 programmes that you can listen to here.

BBC iPLAYER – LGBTQ+ Voices

Enjoy a collection of documentaries celebrating the distinctive perspectives and powerful voices from the community.

Including “A Change of Sex” (series following Julia Grant on her transgender journey) and “Aids: The Unheard Tapes” there are more than 20 programmes that you can watch here.

How Manchester became one of the best places to live for LGBTQIA people to grow older

LGBT Foundation spoke to Diva Magazine about the power of their Pride In Ageing Programme.

It’s often said that getting older is a privilege, but that can only be true if LGBTQIA women and non-binary people can be open, free from discrimination and celebrated in their later years. The Pride In Ageing Programme, run by the national LGBTQIA wellbeing charity LGBT Foundation, brings visibility and voice to older LGBTQIA communities in Greater Manchester – and is now celebrating five years of activity to make the area one of the best places in the country for LGBTQIA people to grow older.

We are Mindy and Pam (both lesbians) and Pauline (a trans woman) – all of us in our 70s and have volunteered for the project since it launched in June 2019. There’s been a lot of laughter, joy and friendship (we all met and became close friends through the project), as well as conversations around the difficult issues that we all face, from access to the services and support that recognises and celebrates our identities to feeling included as part of our LGBTQIA communities just as much as the youngsters enjoying nights out on Manchester’s famous Canal Street (and yes some of us still like to go clubbing too!). 

“Pride In Ageing has helped a group of LGBTQIA older gardeners to create a new community garden at Manchester Art Gallery. We’ve been inspired by LGBTQIA activist, artist and gardener Derek Jarman who died in 1994 of AIDS-related illness. Our gardening group are a similar generation to Jarman, and we remember all too clearly the need for secrecy that shaped our past and the radical acts we were part of to fight for our rights. Gardening has been a brilliant way to express our experiences and positivity – the gardeners’ life stories are told through QR codes in the garden and via a zine we have produced. We get so many comments on our little green oasis wedged between the tram tracks and the imposing facade of the gallery in the busy centre of Manchester, it’s our thank you to the city that has been so welcoming to our identities.”

Mindy (72)

“Pride In Ageing collaborated with the University of Strathclyde to launch new training materials for social care staff. We explored what’s most important for older LGBTQIA folk, and our main message is about treating us with respect and dignity – whether we are in hospitals, hospices or care homes. It’s been amazing to have the opportunity to meet with social care leads as part of the project, telling them about being older and trans and making sure they know that discrimination must be a thing of the past. The reception has been so positive – our materials are now on the Skills For Care website, where everyone from the social care workforce can use them.”

Pauline (75)

“A highlight for me has been our end-of-life care discussions – it’s made me realise that many older LGBTQIA people live alone, have support from friends rather than family and have no plan for serious illness. Only a few of our group had a will or power of attorney in place. Working in partnership with St Ann’s Hospice we have designed workshops for LGBTQIA people to create a ‘Box Of Me’. The box can include your life story, how you want to be cared for, your will and what kind of funeral you want. It’s even more important that LGBTQIA people put these plans in place, to ensure our wishes are recognised.”

Pam (74)

Stonewall Inn Pictures