Pride in Ageing Programme Marks 5^th Anniversary!

Sir Ian McKellen joined LGBT Foundation volunteers for a special afternoon tea to celebrate the five-year anniversary of the Pride in Ageing programme and its ongoing work, which he launched on 5 June 2019.

The initiative celebrates those who are older and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) and undertakes projects with communities in Greater Manchester to address their needs. In the last 12 months, the programme has welcomed 1,100 people to events and activities at LGBT Foundation, and many more older-LGBTQ+ people have accessed LGBT Foundation’s support services in Greater Manchester and national helpline. The programme now commences its fifth year of operation with new projects on physical activity, a recently launched digital skills cafe and creative workshops where different generations of LGBTQ+ communities can learn from each other’s experiences.

At the five-year anniversary event in April, Sir Ian remarked on how pleased he was to see “older volunteers at the heart of LGBT Foundation – as they are the experts”. He wished the volunteers success with their current and upcoming projects for the Pride in Ageing Programme. Sir Ian, 84, reflected at Pride in Ageing’s launch event on his experiences as an older gay man. “I was criminalised, and that leaves a brand on you” Ian said, referencing the legal restrictions on homosexuality in England before 1967. “Older LGBTQ+ people need to be surrounded by friendship, love and respect”.

Lawrie Roberts, Pride in Ageing Manager: “We have an incredibly busy events programme, last month we had a dance workshop, digital café and book club – all for free and which anyone who is older and LGBTQ+ can come along to. The programme’s activity is designed by an advisory panel of volunteers and we are currently taking on new members – if you are LGBTQ+, aged over 50 and from the Greater Manchester area and would like to get involved we would be really interested in talking with you. Please do get in touch with us via the volunteering section of LGBT Foundation’s website or over the phone.”

Pride Top 10

I recorded this show for Sonder Radio

LGBT+ Musicians: 10 Pioneering Artists You Need To Know

Whether standing firm against adversity, fighting for rights and medical research, or providing a platform for those whose voices were hitherto unheard, these pioneering LGBT+ musicians have added their own splash of colour to the walls of popular music’s everlasting corridors.

10: Pete Burns (1959 – 2016)

Dead Or Alive frontman Pete Burns made waves with his heavily androgynous appearance. Despite being one of the UK’s most prominent LGBT+ musicians for most of his life, the singer felt the need to clear up certain misconceptions in his biography, Freak Unique, rather innocently stating, “Am I gay, bi, trans or what? I say forget all that … I’m just Pete.”

Must hear: You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)

9: Christine and The Queens (1988 – )

By 2016, Chris was already considered by Vanity Fair to be the most powerful and influential French person in the world. Since then, she’s released an album (which The Guardian ranked the best album of 2018), appeared in the BBC’s 100 Women series and performed on RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Must hear: Tilted

8: Neil Tennant (1954 – )

The Guardian have declared Pet Shop Boys’ West End Girls to be the greatest UK No 1 single of all time. The Pet Shop Boys are Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant who was a leading contributor in obtaining Alan Turing a long-overdue posthumous pardon.

Must hear: West End Girls

7: Michael Stipe (1960 – )

“What was the best kiss of your life?” “Allen Ginsberg.” When Michael Stipe wasn’t smooching veteran Beat poets, he was the enigmatic frontman of REM, perhaps America’s greatest rock band. His mysteriousness, genius and particularly elusive writing style resonated with millions of listeners.

Must hear: Losing My Religion

6: Elton John (1947 – )

Sir Elton is perhaps the most decorated of all LGBT+ musicians. Active since 1967, he has sold over 250 million records, earned a knighthood and raised over £350 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The entertainer has tirelessly advocated for LGBT+ rights around the world.

Must hear: Your Song

5: Klaus Nomi (1944 – 1983)

Klaus Nomi, was a German counter tenor noted for his wide vocal range and an unusual, otherworldly stage persona. Nomi was known for his bizarrely visionary theatrical live performances, heavy make-up, unusual costumes, and a highly stylized signature hairdo. His songs were equally unusual, ranging from synthesizer-laden interpretations of classical opera to covers of pop standards.

Must hear: You Don’t Own Me

4: George Michael (1963 – 2016)

Few singers have had a career quite like George Michael. His humble and high-spirited beginnings in Wham! later developed into mature, time-stopping moments on his first two solo albums. His charitable and altruistic exploits included volunteering in soup kitchens and campaigning for LGBT+ rights and AIDS research until his sudden passing in 2016.

Must hear: Faith

3: David Bowie (1947 – 2016)

There was always something about David Bowie that was difficult to put a finger on. Perhaps glam rock’s greatest champion, Bowie’s archetypal androgyny and alter egos metamorphosed from decade to decade, securing his place as one of the most unpredictably brilliant artists of the 20th century.

Must hear: Rebel Rebel

2: Ma Rainey (1886 – 1939)

If there has to be some genesis of the LGBT+ icon, Ma Rainey is likely the best choice. Prove It On Me Blues alone is a startlingly open portrayal of Rainey’s comfort with cross-dressing and her preference for women: “Went out last night with a crowd of my friends / They must’ve been women, ’cause I don’t like no men.” Rainey truly walked the walk and talked the talk, defying social norms and battling stigmas – after all, this was a black woman stating, in 1928, that she’ll “Talk to the gals just like any old man.” She was decades ahead of her time.

Must hear: Prove It On Me Blues

1: Jimmy Somerville (1961 – )

Jimmy Somerville is most famous for forging grandiose floor fillers, from The Communards’ magnificent Don’t Leave Me This Way to the ethereal Smalltown Boy, which appeared on Bronski Beat’s seminal debut album, Age Of Consent.

Must hear: Smalltown Boy

Photographs from the Bridgewater Hall Community Members Day

Monthly Queer Cabaret Night Hosted at The Met!

Thursday, 27 June 8.00pm – LOUD Cabaret, Bury Met, Market Street, Bury BL9 0BW

We’re delighted to announce a queer cabaret night where we will be showcasing the most fabulous of rising stars from across Bury and beyond.

June’s event will feature Lady Bushra, Ben Hodge and Fran ‘n’ Flirter. Your host for the evening will be Mancunian writer, actor and activist Nathaniel J Hall, Artistic Director of Dibby Theatre.

Thursdays have never been so exciting!

Supported by The Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Network and Dibby Theatre

£11 standard / £9 subsidised / £13 supporters (including fees)

Doors open 7.00pm / first act on-stage 8.00pm
 
Book here.

The LGBTQI+ Forum – Bury, will also be hosting an informal social from 7.00pm on the evening of LOUD for any who would like to attend.

This casual event will give you the opportunity to meet some of the acts, find out more about the Forum and make friends with other attendees there to enjoy the cabaret on the night.

If you would like to find out more about the LGBTQI+ Forum ahead of the event, please contact Paul Fairweather at paul.fairweather@buryvcfa.org.uk

The event will take place in the ground floor bar, Malt.

Ben Hodge

Ben Hodge is a comedian, improvisor and presenter originally from Merseyside. His unique outlook as a trans man has seen him earn the title of Liverpool’s Top 30 under 30. He has performed internationally, from Buxton, to Edinburgh, to Seattle.

Ben will be performing Build a Bear, the sequel to his debut show It’s a Boy? Ben has finally worked out what it means to be a man. But now he’s unlocked a whole new world of ‘gay bears’. Join Ben as he humorously broadens his horizons whilst broadening his waist band.

Frank n’ Flirter

Originally from Liverpool, now living in Manchester, Frank n’ Flirter is a trans / non-binary drag performer. When Frank isn’t acting the fool on stage, they’re alluring everyone in the room with their dulcet tones.

Lady Bushra

Shortlisted for a BBC New Comedy Award, the iconic character of Lady Bushra is played by fast growing comedian Amir Dean. Often seen performing his sold out Drag Comedy Cabaret, this drag queen has taken the scene by storm with online videos viewed over 20 million times whereas his live performances have been enjoyed as far as Europe and USA.

Are you LGBT+ over 50 years of age?

Then you are warmly invited to Out In The City’s Pre-Pride Party.

It’s at Cross Street Chapel, 29 Cross Street, Manchester M2 1NL from 2.00pm to 4.00pm on Thursday, 13 June.

There will be:

·  Entertainment – The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Jennifer on guitar and our own boy band, Wolf.

·  Buffet and

·  Raffle.

The Manchester Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are part of a worldwide order of queer nuns (some queerer than others) who get out into the community to promulgate universal joy and goodness and they haven’t got a bad habit between them!

They might teach us some polari whilst introducing the acts. They might serve joy and love, they might play instruments or just raise an eyebrow or two. Who knows what they will do?

The very talented Jennifer will be playing guitar and singing.

Wolf will be singing pop, soul and possibly “Nelly The Elephant”!

Don’t miss this event … it promises to be special!!