We’ve Always Been Here

Trans+ History Week is a trans+ led nonprofit, social enterprise that exists to popularise the global awareness week: Trans+ History Week from 4 – 10 May 2026.

It is a week-long reflective period to learn and celebrate the momentous and millennia-old history of transgender, non-binary, gender-diverse and Intersex people.

Trans+ History Day is held on 6 May – the anniversary of the 1933 Nazi raid on the world’s first Trans+ clinic in Berlin, Germany.

Days later, the clinic’s library was raided, and over 20,000 books and much precious research were desecrated in what would become one of the first large public book burnings by the Nazi regime.

Book burnings are a historic image many of us recognise. But the connection to the transgender community is little known.

We are seeing increasing hostility toward the trans+ community in our media, politics and institutions. There are even campaigns to ban LGBT+ books. It’s all a terrifying echo of how past horrors began.

There was a 56% increase in anti-Trans+ hate crimes recorded last year.

In the last six years, there’s been a 348% rise in LGBT+ hate crimes.

Attacking the trans+ community leaves you on the wrong side of history. Change is possible but we need to continue to fight for inclusion and dignity for all.

Out On The Radio

Show 6 of Out On The Radio is now available to listen to here.

Tony and Norman play tunes and chat about the Manchester Pride Parade Theme, other Pride events in May and Alan Turing and Artificial Intelligence. They also mention a few famous LGBT+ people who have birthdays in May.

Hope you enjoy!

Live at Lunchtime

All the following events are in the Stalls Foyer, Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3WS.

All the concerts are from 12.45pm to 1.30pm and are FREE – no ticket required.

Friday, 15 May – Coruja Jones

Dreamy Indie-folk. Beautiful songs with soaring high notes, combined with intricate, delicate guitar work into cavernous reverbs, which take aim at your heart. Join this Manchester-based songsmith for a special preview of songs from his upcoming album. This trio performance features Jake Stentiford on acoustic guitars, and Alex Pearson on bass and synth.

Friday, 22 May – Chetham’s School of Music

Chetham’s School of Music, in the heart of Manchester, is the largest specialist music school in the UK, and the only one in the north of England. It is made up of 330 students aged between 8 and 18 and the campus is a melting pot of different perspectives and ideas – but everyone is bonded by a passion for music. This makes Chetham’s a truly unique and inspirational place to live, learn and make connections.

Friday, 5 June – Zoe Gilby

Winner of Parliamentary Jazz Awards “Jazz Vocalist of the Year 2019” Zoe Gilby’s  “Aurora” album is out now. Inspired by the instrumental compositions of award winning, Grammy nominated US trumpeter Tom Harrell. This melodic, sharply conceived music has been augmented with lyrical interpretations written by Zoë.

Friday, 12 June – Milap – Kaviraj Singh & Kousic Sen

Take a perfect break from your busy day and relax to the soothing sounds of the one hundred stringed Indian Santoor along with the tabla, performed by Kaviraj Singh and Kousic Sen.

Friday, 19 June – KairosDuo

One of the UK’s leading young chamber duos KairosDuo, is a dynamic small ensemble for percussion and saxophone showcasing their vivacious performance style and artistry through modern classical and contemporary repertoire, as they strive to reimagine the traditional chamber music concert experience.

Friday, 3 July – Denise Morgan

Born and raised in Manchester, by Irish parents, Denise’s music was inspired by her Irish roots. Coupled with her love of 60’s Soul, these influences were soon heard in her songwriting and singing style which has became known as, Celtic Soul.

Friday, 10 July – Black Creative Trailblazers

Join Black Creative Trailblazers at Live at Lunchtime for a vibrant musical showcase celebrating Mancunian talent, connection and creativity.

This special lunchtime performance features three outstanding artists. Sinead D’Abreu-Hayling is a Trinidadian British soprano currently completing a Masters in Vocal Performance at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Also taking to the stage is Rumbi Tauro, a Zimbabwean-born R&B powerhouse known for her soulful melodies and captivating live performances.

Completing the lineup are The Divines, a Manchester-based soul duo blending playful harmonies and rich tones across neo-soul, R&B and 90s/2000s classics. 

Friday, 28 August – Neeve Zahra

Manchester born singer/songwriter, Neeve Zahra is captivating audiences with her unique voice and beautiful lyrics which are far beyond her years. Championed by the likes of Bob Harris on BBC Radio 2 and CountryLine Radio’s Tim Prottey-Jones, Neeve Zahra is already taking the UK country music scene by storm.

Friday, 4 September – Nirse Gonzalez (Instituto Cervantes)

Join us for an exceptional guitar recital by Nirse González, presenting a programme that explores the expressive breadth of the classical guitar. 

Friday, 18 September – Heard Storytelling – “It Happened Here”

A live true storytelling event to celebrate the start of The Bridgewater Hall’s 30th season. Enjoy a curated line up of people sharing their lived experience of the transformative impact of the Hall’s history, accompanied by live music. Heard Storytelling specialise in creating safe, fun and empowering opportunities to tell true stories out loud.

Friday, 25 September – So Many Beauties

Bridgewater Hall regulars So Many Beauties present a performance of new music shaped through creative collaboration across Greater Manchester. This award winning Collective brings together some of the region’s finest intercultural musicians, featuring instruments and musical traditions from around the world.