On the first Wednesday monthly we meet in the Chief Librarian’s Office, Manchester Central Library, St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Take the lift to the third floor and turn left through the doors signed “Meeting Rooms”.

For the rest of the month we meet weekly at Cross Street Chapel, 29 Cross Street, Manchester M2 1NL on Thursdays from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

Monthly Women’s Meetings held on last Thursday of the month at Cross Street Chapel, 29 Cross Street, Manchester M2 1NL from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

Meetings are “drop-ins”. There is no need to book, just turn up.

On Wednesdays (and occasionally other days), there are different activities, but you do need to book. Please contact us here. You are welcome to attend on one or both days.

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Next activities:

All trips need to be booked. Please note that some trips have a limited number of places and are available on a first come basis. If a trip is “Fully Booked Up”, please ask to go on the reserve list as there are often late cancellations.

Please contact us here

Wednesday, 22 July – Minton Tile Reveal, St George’s Hall, Liverpool and Pride Pioneers Exhibition in Liverpool Central Library

(Fully Booked Up – ask to go on the Reserve List)

Meet at Victoria Train Station at 11.00am. Train leaves at 11.22am to Liverpool Lime Street

Lunch at Wetherspoons at Liverpool Lime Street.

Visit at 2.00pm to St George’s Hall , where we will have an exciting opportunity to experience one of Liverpool’s most stunning architectural treasures when the Hall unveils its magnificent Minton tile floor for an extended public reveal.

Usually protected beneath a wooden covering to preserve its intricate craftsmanship, the Minton floor is one of the finest examples of Victorian design in the world.

Comprising 30,000 hand crafted tiles, the mosaic has captivated hundreds of thousands of people over the decades, with its rich colours, classical motifs and remarkable level of preservation.

We will then visit Liverpool Central Library to visit the Pride Pioneers Exhibition.

Thursday, 23 July – Meeting at Cross Street Chapel, 29 Cross Street, Manchester M2 1NL from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

Friday, 24 July, 5.30pm and Saturday, 25 July, 5.30pm

10 Hours In Kraków – New solo show by Josh Val Martin – Free

Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester M3 4JQ

It’s about going on a stag do in Kraków and getting lost for 10 hours trying to find the AirBnb …

There will be funny bits and sad bits and, of course, music.

Hope to see you there. Book your free ticket here.

Friday, 24 July – 6.00pm – 11.55pm – Veterans Pride – £20.00

HMS Eaglet, 80 Sefton Street, East Brunswick Dock, Liverpool L3 4DZ

Veterans Pride 2026 will be on the eve of Liverpool City Region Pride and we would love you to attend.

This event encourages the coming together of LGBTQIA+ Veterans, Serving Personnel and their Ally’s, to reflect, recognise and celebrate their unique experiences.

Join Veterans and members of the Armed Forces LGBTQIA+ Community for a Rainbow Honours recognised cabaret style event in the heart of Liverpool.

Included: arrival drink, a hot buffet with dessert and entertainment.

Dress Code – In traditional terms the event is Black tie, but we don’t want, or expect, anyone to go to any expense. We are asking for guests to be ‘authentically glamourous’, so please dress in what makes you comfortable, with a bit of Glam!

There will also be an opportunity to network with local community-based Charity Stalls.

Book here

Saturday, 25 July – Liverpool Pride

For more information, please see Liverpool Pride

Sunday, 26 July – 11.00am – 7.00pm – Stockport’s Historic Market Place

Manchester Proud Chorus are performing from 2.30pm to 3.00pm.

For more information, please see Stockport Pride

Wednesday, 29 July – Clayton Hall Living History Museum

Clayton Hall is a 15th-century manor house on Ashton New Road in Clayton, Manchester. The hall is a Grade II* listed building, the mound on which it is built is a scheduled ancient monument, and a rare example of a medieval moated site.

Clayton Hall has been closed for renovations and has recently reopened in July as a Living History Museum dressed in late Victorian style to depict the latest historical period in which the Hall was privately owned.

Meet at Piccadilly Gardens Tram Stop at 11.30am to take the tram to Clayton Hall.

Thursday, 30 July – Meeting at Cross Street Chapel, 29 Cross Street, Manchester M2 1NL from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

Thursday, 30 July – Women’s Meeting at Cross Street Chapel, 29 Cross Street, Manchester M2 1NL from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

Upcoming Local Pride Events – please check various websites for details

Trans Pride Manchester (1 August)

True Pride (1 August)

Prestwich Pride (6-9 August)

Wigan Pride (8 August)

Levenshulme Pride (14-16 August)

Manchester Village Pride (28-31 August)

Tuesday, 4 August – Out On The Radio – Show 9 on ALL fm 96.9 live from 2.00pm to 3.00pm.

Norman and Tony are chatting and playing tunes with guest Gary Williams, SCENE Festival Director.

Wednesday, 5 August – Meeting in Chief Librarian’s Office

We are meeting in the Chief Librarian’s Office, Manchester Central Library, St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Take the lift to the third floor and turn left through the doors signed “Meeting Rooms”.

Thursday, 6 August – LGBTQ+ Manchester Walking Tour

Meet at Via, 28-30 Canal Street, Manchester M1 3EZ at 12.00 noon for lunch.

Meet at Alan Turing Statue in Sackville Park at 1.30pm. Josh Val Martin will lead a one hour LGBTQ+ History Walking Tour

Saturday, 6 August – 9 August – Prestwich Pride

Prestwich Pride is back with a HUGE line-up across some of your fave Prestwich venues!

Join us for quizzes, live performances, parties, family events and more.

This year, Prestwich Pride will be raising funds for George House Trust and Out In The City, both amazing causes who support the community.

Wednesday, 12 August – Board Games afternoon

Meet at Piccadilly Tavern, 71-75 London Road, Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2BS at 12.00 noon for lunch. Tram to New Islington.

Board Games Afternoon at Mayes Gardens, Harrison Street, Manchester M4 7FN from 2.00pm – 4.00pm.

Thursday, 13 August – Meeting in Cross Street Chapel

29 Cross Street, Manchester M2 1NL from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

Tuesday, 18 August – 6.00pm – 7.00pm – Pride Panel: Authors in Conversation

House of Books & Friends, 81 King Street, Manchester M2 4AH

House of Books & Friends is excited to welcome Layla McCay and Sacha Coward to discuss their books, “The Queer Bookshelf” and “Queer as Folklore”. As well as a discussion on their books, there will also be a Q&A, plus the chance to get your books signed by Layla and Sacha.

Ticket only £5

Ticket and Layla McCay’s book £20

Ticket and Sacha Coward’s book £10.99

Ticket and both books £24

About the books

The Queer Bookshelf

We are in the middle of a vibrant renaissance of queer writing. But LGBTQ+ writers, characters and readers have been here since the beginning – quietly, defiantly, and persistently telling their stories – if you know where to look.

The Queer Bookshelf is your guide to this essential queer history, and to its contemporary flourishing. Drawing on the author’s own journey as a queer reader and book club host, and packed with recommendations from authors, booksellers, and book lovers around the world, The Queer Bookshelf is a celebration of the books that have helped generations of LGBTQ+ people find themselves on the page.

From literary fiction to memoir, to crime, fantasy, young adult and even cowboy romance, The Queer Bookshelf is a warm, entertaining companion for anyone beginning or deepening their own queer reading adventure.

Queer as Folklore

A celebration of queer history like you’ve never seen it before.

Queer as folklore travels across centuries and continents to reveal the unsung heroes and villains of storytelling, magic and fantasy. Featuring images from archives, galleries and museums around the world, each chapter investigates the queer history of different mythic and folkloric characters, both old and new.

Leaving no headstone unturned, Sacha Coward takes you on a wild ride through the night from ancient Greece to the main stage of RuPaul’s Drag Race, visiting cross-dressing pirates, radical fairies and the graves of the ‘queerly departed’ along the way. Queer communities have often sought refuge in the shadows and created safe spaces in underworlds. But these forgotten narratives tell stories of resilience that deserve to be heard.

Join any Pride march and you will see a glorious display of papier-mâché unicorn heads, drag queens in mermaid tails and more fairy wings than you can shake a trident at. These are not just accessories: they are queer symbols with historic roots. To truly understand who queer people are today, we must confront the twisted tales of the past.

Wednesday, 19 August – Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience

(Fully Booked Up – ask to go on the reserve list)

Lunch at Piccadilly Tavern, 71-75 London Road, Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2BS at 12.00 noon.

Visit at 2.00pm and 2.20pm for Virtual Reality Immersive Experience at Transmission House, 11 Tib Street, Manchester M4 1AF.

The cosmos, all around you.

A breathtaking journey through the universe, built to be explored together.

Thursday, 20 – 27 August – Scene 2026 – Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Film & TV Festival

7 days of Film, TV, Shorts, Docs, Panels, Events, Old Classics and New Narratives.

Join Russell T Davies & Nicola Shindler for a special screening of Tip Toe and the 5th anniversary of It’s A Sin. Go behind the scenes of Disney+’s Rivals with Gary Lamont, Hubert Burton and executive producer Alexander Lamb. In conversation with Alice Oseman, creator of Heartstopper. Celebrate I Kissed A Boy & I Kissed A Girl with host Charley Marlowe and stars from both series. Channel 4’s An Altogether Different Comedy Night returns with a stellar line-up of bold, brilliant comedians. Exclusive preview screenings including Bitter Christmas, Maddie’s Secret, Blue Film Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, I Want Your Sex, Chatlines and drag comedy Special drag screening of Stop! That! Train! Documentaries, shorts & special programmes celebrating Patrick Wolf, Barbara Hammer and NOFX, plus the Iris Prize Best British Shorts announcement, SCENE’s Northern Shorts programme, and guest-curated strands from TITE, Aks and GASP! Festivals. Plus dozens more screenings, panels, parties, exhibitions and free events across Manchester throughout the festival. Tickets from just £5 – and lots of events are FREE! Book your tickets now!

Thursday, 20 August – 2.00pm – 4.00pm – Pride Party in Cross Street Chapel with Joe Cockx

There will be a buffet and raffle. RSVP for catering purposes.

Saturday, 22 August – 3.30pm – Grindr: The Opera!

53two, Arch 19, Watson Street, Manchester M3 4LP

Grindr: The Opera! puts the most notorious gay hook-up app into the exaggerated world of opera. This musical parody takes you on a hilarious and thought-provoking journey through the world of gay dating, focusing on the greatest catalyst for the shift: GRINDR.

With catchy songs, witty dialogue, and colourful characters, this unique and ground-breaking production explores the impact of technology on human connection and the search for meaningful relationships.

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll be challenged to think deeply about the ways in which technology is shaping our lives and relationships.

But above all, Grindr: The Opera! will make you feel alive. With its infectious energy, dynamic performances, and unforgettable characters, this production will leave you feeling inspired, entertained, and maybe even a little bit hopeful about the future of human connection.

Book tickets here. If you use Promo Code OITC20 the price will reduce from £35 to £20.

Please note the Promo Code should not be shared outside Out In The City members.

Wednesday, 26 August – Gender Stories, Walker Art Gallery

William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EL

Meet at Victoria Train Station at 11.00am. Train leaves at 11.22am to Liverpool Lime Street. Lunch at Wetherspoons followed by visit to Walker Art Gallery.

What is gender? How have ideas about it changed over time? How does it shape our day-to-day lives? These questions and more will be explored in a brand-new exhibition co-created by National Museums Liverpool.

Through a diverse collection of fine and decorative art, personal stories and objects, Gender Stories traces the spectrum of genders and their expression across time and place, examining how gender intersects with our sex, class, sexuality and heritage to shape who we are.

Featuring works by David Hockney, Catherine Opie, Grayson Perry, Rene Matić, Zanele Muholi and Del LaGrace Volcano, this ground-breaking exhibition explores the role art can play in questioning traditional gender roles.

Wednesday, 26 August 2026 – 8.00pm – 10.00pm – Film Premiere

Cinema 1, HOME Manchester, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester M15 4FN

This one off gala event marks the culmination of PROTEST! – Documenting Dissent, IAP:MCR’s two year National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported project exploring Manchester’s queer protest history and the long shadow of Section 28.

RE/ASSEMBLE by David Martin documents the experience of four people who marched through Manchester at the demonstration in February 1988.

Set in 2010 Manchester, CONDENSATION by Joshua Val Martin follows a fresher wanting to attend the LGBT Society, but inherited silence and half-heard histories, born of Section 28, gather around him in a literal cloud.

Tickets here:

Full price £9.95 + £1.20 booking fee

Concessions £7.95 + £1.20 booking fee

Thursday, 27 August – 2.00pm – 4.00pm – Meeting in Cross Street Chapel

Thursday, 27 August – 2.00pm – 4.00pm – Women’s Meeting in Cross Street Chapel

Friday, 28 August – Monday, 31 August – Manchester Village Pride

Upcoming Local Pride Events – please check various websites for details

Didsbury Pride (5 September)

Chorlton Pride (12 September)

Withington Pride (19 September)

Tuesday, 1 September – Out On The Radio – Show 10 on ALL fm 96.9 live from 2.00pm to 3.00pm.

Norman and Tony are chatting and playing tunes.

Wednesday, 2 September – Meeting in Chief Librarian’s Office

We are meeting in the Chief Librarian’s Office, Manchester Central Library, St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Take the lift to the third floor and turn left through the doors signed “Meeting Rooms”

Thursday, 3 September – Manchester Open 2026 / To See and Be Seen Exhibition

HOME Manchester, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester M15 4FN

Further details to follow.

Wednesday, 9 September – Salford River Cruise

(Fully Booked Up – ask to go on the Reserve List)

Meet at Deansgate / Castlefield Tram Stop at 11.15am

Lunch at Harvester followed by River Cruise from Pier 8 under the Millennium Footbridge at 2.00pm (arrive 1.50pm to board).

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Please contact us here if you are interested in attending the trips. There is no need to book to attend the meetings – just turn up. However, you may contact us if you wish.

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Also have a look at our other pages: Trips & Adventures, Photos, Resources, Audios & Videos, Timelines (Dropdown menu to see: LGBTQ+ Timeline, LGBT+ History Timeline, Significant Events Timeline and LGBT+ History in Manchester).