Queer Solidarity – 20 February 2018

Today marked the 30th anniversary of the Section 28 demo in Manchester against the Local Government Act 1988.

Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 caused the controversial addition of an amendment that stated that a local authority “shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality” or “promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship”.

At a workshop last week we made placards:

On 20 February 2018 we re-enacted iconic scenes from the demo:

Trips & Adventures – 15 February 2018

We caught an early train at 10.03am to Clitheroe. For the train devotees there are hourly trains from Manchester Victoria operated by Northern. Usually, services are operated by Class 150 trains, but sometimes Class 156 and Class 153 operate the service.

We had a leisurely coffee and then a fantastic meal at the Conservative Club before heading towards Clitheroe castle, the town’s most notable building and one of the smallest Norman keeps in Britain dating back to 1186.

The views from the castle were very impressive, but it must have been the windiest day of the year – a good day to be playing with a frisbee – but not so good to keep on your feet.

Trying to avoid the wind inside the keep

Another photo from the robot exhibition?

Trips & Adventures – 8 February 2018

We went to Port Sunlight, via Liverpool, to see the exhibition “Model Image – Fashion and photos from the 1950’s” at the Lady Lever Art Gallery.

The exhibition captured the elegance, glamour and refined grace of the 1950’s featuring effortlessly stylish evening dresses and accessories and stunning prints by some of the most high-profile photographers of the decade.

We also viewed the rest of the gallery before enjoying coffee and cake in the cafe.

Trips & Adventures – 1 February 2018

Well, what a full and fantastic Thursday we had! It all started off by queuing up at W H Smith’s.

This was the day we had all been anticipating … Attitude Magazine hit the news stands on 1 February 2018. If you don’t know – Attitude Magazine is the best selling, most respected, groundbreaking and number one gay lifestyle magazine and the March edition featured Stuart as part of the “body edition” following his photo shoot:

We took the train to Stockport and then the free bus which took us on an extended tour of Stockport and its environs ending up at the Arden Arms, a good old fashioned traditional pub which until recently was run by two gay men. The food was delicious and the service was of a high standard.

We visited the Stockport Museum which currently has an exhibition celebrating the legendary Stockport recording studios – Strawberry Studios.

Bruce recognised “Neanderthal Man” (not the early humans which became extinct 40,000 years ago) but playing in the background was Strawberry Studio’s first hit in1970 by Hotlegs. To remind you the lyrics are:

“I’m a neanderthal man
You’re a neanderthal girl
Let’s make neanderthal love
In this neanderthal world.”

Founded in 1967, Strawberry Studios became one of the first professional studios outside London and was home to pop group 10cc. In the 50 years since the studio first opened the likes of Joy Division, The Smiths and The Stone Roses were welcomed through its doors.

Tony and Bruce had a go on the Pop Quiz machine and scored 10/10:

Instead of quizzing we should have been at home making sure the vinyl collection was in correct alphabetical order! After all this fun we explored the rest of the museum and then went on a tour of Stockport’s Air Raid Shelter. This was fascinating but hard to imagine 4,000 people down in the tunnels during the Second World War.

In the evening from 6.00pm to 8.00pm was the launch of LGBT History Month in the Performance Space at Manchester Central Library. The first event was the Let’s Talk About Sex project. It was a very special evening, featuring speakers, poetry, a screening of a specially commissioned short film, as well as an exclusive preview of the exhibition accompanying the project. Tony was interviewed for the project and read a poem or two.

One of the poems was called “Olufe Me” which means “I Love You”:

Olufe me

My darling, I love you with my heart, my mind, my body, my soul.

Our bodies touching

Our legs entangling

Our lips pressing

Our tongues darting

Our arms caressing

Our hands holding

Our fingers entwining

But now I am HIV positive … will I ever find those loving feelings again?

My legs tiring

My body sweating

My head aching

My heart hurting

My eyes crying

My mind slowing

My memories fading

Will my sweet feelings keep me going? I will always love you, my dearest darling.

Olufe me.

Trips & Adventures – 25 January 2018

We went to The Glass House Restaurant – a specialist training restaurant for Hospitality and Culinary Arts at Salford College of Further Education, Walkden Centre.

The restaurant offers fine dining within a contemporary and relaxed environment and is run by dedicated Hospitality and Culinary Arts students under the supervision of expert tutors who have worked in some of the best known hotels and restaurants in the country.

We expected a unique gourmet dining experience equal to the food and service you would receive in the finest hotels and restaurants. And, in the main, that’s what we got but at a much reduced price. Constructive criticism was offered where appropriate.