“120 BPM” tells the story of ACT UP Paris (AIDS activists in the 1990s). It’s a masterpiece

It begins with muffled speech. A man speaking to an audience. We don’t know what he’s saying, but the crowd applauds when he’s done. A group of men and women assemble in the darkness, quietly waiting for their chance. Another man appears to deliver his speech, but it is quickly interrupted by a flurry of noise, including shouts and the blowing of horns. The group isn’t waiting to speak – they’re waiting to protest. 

Winner of the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017, Robin Campillo’s 120 BPM is one of the most powerful, electric queer films in recent memory. Though its thrilling opening is cut before we see the protest itself, the next scene tells us everything we need to know: This is the Paris branch of ACT UP, an activist group originally founded in New York in 1989. 

The group is determined to stand up and fight for the rights of people living with AIDS. “One last thing you need to understand,” an instructor tells a group of people looking to join. “As soon as you join ACT UP, whatever your HIV status, you must accept to be viewed by the media and public as HIV-positive.”

There is, of course, still a stigma around HIV/AIDS. Thankfully, with medical advancements, the virus is no longer a death sentence, and in fact, medical advancements have come so far that the virus barely impacts those with access to medicines at all. Still, there’s a sense of shame that lingers around the disease that stems from the AIDS crisis in the 1980s and ‘90s, when 120 BPM takes place. Back then, having AIDS wasn’t just the likely end of your life; the stigma of the disease lingered so heavily that traces of it still haunt LGBT+ communities several decades later. 

Widespread misinformation campaigns permeated ideas that people with the virus were untouchable delinquents that could spread infection through physical touch and had a devastating effect on those suffering from the virus and on the LGBT+ community as a whole. 

A rose-tinted look at activism this is not. Arguments and disagreements abound, as the meetings are full of heated discussions on the best ways to achieve their goals. Some advocate for more drastic measures, while others push for peaceful interactions. 

Every second of it is riveting; this is a film always moving forward, and these meetings feel like vital history coming to life, even when they’re just reading the minutes. 

Writer / director Robin Campillo brilliantly cuts between protests and organisational meetings. The rhythm of these scenes matches those of heist movies like Ocean’s Eleven, which speaks both to the intensity of these demonstrations as well as how high the stakes are in these moments. And the stakes quite literally could not be higher. If the messages of ACT UP are not heard and not acted upon, people will continue to die at exorbitant rates.

The protests themselves are vital – incredibly tense, yet strangely euphoric. There’s such urgency to them. Whether heading into a pharmaceutical company to demand action and throw fake blood-filled water balloons, marching in the streets with pom poms, or going to schools to talk calmly about how to prevent the spread of the virus, Campillo films them with equal urgency and vitality. The common thread of all these demonstrations is a lack of willingness from pharmaceutical companies and the like to engage with those ACT UP demands. It’s not their responsibility; they’re doing something, they just have to be patient. But inaction is inaction – as one member holds up a placard in protest, “SILENCE = MORT.” 

120 BPM isn’t just about protests and activism – it’s also about the people on those front lines, who resisted, acted up, and lost their lives during the AIDS crisis. The film is careful to show that ACT UP wasn’t just people who suffered from the virus, but their friends, families, and concerned citizens, straight or queer. Organisations like ACT UP offered a community and a family for people ostracised from the communities they were born into.

Learning about the crisis might lead you to believe that people suffering from the virus led lives of nothing but misery, but 120 BPM shows the lives of people with positive statuses as diverse and multi-faceted. They fight for their right to be heard and their right to healthcare, and for action to be taken, but they also live their lives outside of meetings and demonstrations. Campillo’s film cares so deeply and wholly for its characters, and it gives them the space to live their lives freely. 

Watching them dance the night away in a nightclub feels freeing – it feels almost uncanny to see these people who are suffering so full of happiness. In one club sequence, they dance joyously after a bloody demonstration held earlier in the day. On the dance floor, their pent-up frustrations fade away into a parade of song and movement. Here, they are liberated from stigma. Hands raised to the sky, leaping up and down, the amount of joy in the room is explosive.

Campillo’s camera drifts upward, looking down on this joyous bunch of people. Here, they are so much more than victims of a virus: they are people. But in this moment of happiness, the image of dancers fades away into a strobe light – the music remains, but the people are gone. As the song continues to thrum, images of floating blood cells take over the screen. It’s a harsh but essential reminder that for all the joy in the world, and all the hope these activists possess, they are tied to their bodies and their molecular makeup. All the jubilation in the world cannot stop HIV/AIDS from claiming these full, beautiful lives.

Moments like this make 120 BPM an extraordinary film. It refuses to shy away from the incredibly harsh reality facing those suffering from HIV/AIDS in the era, but it also refuses to reduce their lives to an illness. It’s a film as celebratory as it is melancholic; as depressing as it is uplifting. Death is an all-too-often occurrence in these people’s lives, and the bodies pile high over the film’s two-and-a-half hours. It’s a glorious entwinement of the personal and the political.

Underneath all the trauma is the blossoming romance between Sean (Nahuel Pérez Biscayart), who is HIV-positive, and Nathan (Arnaud Valois), who is negative. Despite the potential impracticalities of their relationship, they cannot resist being drawn to one another. Their chemistry is powerful and their sex – which the film does not shy away from – is electric. It’s one of cinema’s most stunning romances, filled with vibrancy, and laced with tragedy. It’s one of the many personal stories explored in the film, and it’s also the most impactful. The fate of these lovers is inevitable – such is the reality of the epidemic – but their love feels so hopeful nonetheless. 

120 BPM isn’t just a thrilling, impactful reminder of how far we’ve come and the incalculable amount we’ve lost; it’s an urgent notice of how far we still have to go. 

Pride in Our Future 2024 Consultation:

Manchester Pride want to ensure they are doing everything they can to achieve their vision and support LGBTQ+ people during the Festival and beyond, with year-round campaigns, events and opportunities.

They have opened the Pride in Our Future 2024 Consultation because they can’t do this without you. They want to hear what you feel are the issues affecting LGBTQ+ communities, what causes you’d like to see Manchester Pride support in the future, and what you’d like from future Manchester Pride Festivals. Your honest feedback is valuable to them and helps shape the future of Manchester Pride.

Survey Link:

The consultation is open until Friday 29 September 2023. Everyone who fills out the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win x2 tickets to see Anne Marie on 28 November 2023, a stay at Dakota and x2 VIP Manchester Pride Festival tickets.

September Community Session:

Join us for this month’s Community Session that discusses the future of Pride in Greater Manchester! The event is on Tuesday, 26 September, 6.00pm to 8.00pm.

BBC iPlayer – Programmes you may have missed

Danny Beard on Same Sex Love & Marriage

In these podcasts Danny explores rainbow weddings, finding out why they chose to get married, the challenges underpinning this decision and what makes these wedded relationships work.

There are currently six episodes – listen here

Celebrate Pride All Year

These television programmes celebrate the LGBT+ community: from a gender non-conforming Bollywood dancer who puts on an event that will change his life forever, to Lily Jones’ incredible journey as she transitions from male to female, leaves home and finds love.

There are currently 22 programmes – each with a number of episodes – including:

Big Proud Party Agency

Awesome parties for amazing people. LGBTQ+ party planners compete to plan epic blow outs.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK

Which queen will impress and be crowned the UK’s drag superstar?

Olly Alexander: Growing Up Gay

Olly Alexander explores why the gay community is more vulnerable to mental health issues.

Lily: A Transgender Story

Lily Jones’ journey as she transitions from male to female, leaves home and finds love.

Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud

We are who we are. How the late Cherry united their LGBT+, gypsy and drag identities.

Bend It Like Bollywood

Fabulous and free. Vinay puts faith and family on the line for the dance show of his life.

Watch here.

Chorlton Pride

Saturday 16 September, 11.00am – 4.00pm – Chorlton Pride, The Edge Theatre & Arts Centre, Manchester Road, Chorlton, Manchester M21 9JG

FREE – but booking needed on Eventbrite.

Manchester’s Colourful Windows

Mystery trip

Last week, members of Out In The City met at Manchester Piccadilly Train Station to go on a “mystery trip”. Those attending did not know our destination.

We caught the train to Stockport and dined at The Calvert’s Court (Wetherspoon’s pub) before walking the short distance to the Stockport Plaza.

The Stockport Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre is an award-winning example of the finest in 1932 Art Deco architecture, which has been lovingly restored and maintained. The surprise mystery was revealed as we were about to see a show called “Legends of Variety”.

Top of the bill was Anita Harris, now 81. She is an actress, singer and entertainer, having sung with the Cliff Adams Singers for three years from 1961 and having had a number of chart hits during the 1960s. She appeared in the Carry On films Follow That Camel and Carry On Doctor.

Freddie “Parrot Face” Davis, now 86 was the compere. He is a comedian and actor who came to public notice in 1964 through the television talent show Opportunity Knocks and has since appeared in several television series and films.

The support included Bernie Clifton, comedian and entertainer, now 87, the Grumbleweeds, comedy band (just Robin Colvill from the original group, now 79 with smooth straight man James Brandon) and Tommy Cannon, comic and singer, now 85. He is best known as the straight man of the comic double act Cannon and Ball, until Bobby Ball’s death in 2020. There was also Paul Zenon, a magician, the organist and a local group of dancers.

We laughed so much especially during the song “Ken Dodd’s dad’s dog’s dead” and when Tommy Cannon came on stage during the song “Lady in Red”.

It was a wonderful entertaining afternoon and more photos can be seen here.

Bi Visibility Week 16th – 23rd September

Bi Visibility Week was founded in 1999, and will be celebrating its 25^th year, this September. The aim of the week is to provide a space for awareness, and spotlighting challenges around bisexual and biromantic erasure that still often happens today, both externally and internally of the LGBT+ community.

The bisexual community still face many stereotypes and it is important to help eradicate them. The primary ones being, that the Bi community are ‘greedy’, ‘confused’ or ‘unable to decide’, essentially invalidating the authenticity of the orientation. The stereotypes are also quite harmfully gendered. For example, bi-women are more likely to be viewed as ‘straight’ and bi-men are more likely to be viewed as gay, and claiming their bi-ness is a step up to ‘coming out’. These all fall under the umbrella of Biphobia.

These stereotypes can be played out in society and by friends, family and colleagues. Stonewall did a study in 2018, that concluded that of those asked, 46% of Bi men and 26% of Bi women aren’t open about their orientation to loved ones.
 
By uplifting voices of the Bi community and educating others, we can continue to dismantle harmful biases within and outside our community.  

How to be a good ally to the Bi community  

• Believe them: Bi people are often under a microscope over whom they date, but their orientation is valid. They could be in a long-term relationship with one gender for 10+ years, and then date the opposite gender for two. It doesn’t erase their orientation in the slightest over whom they are with in real time.

• No Assumptions: It’s important not to make assumptions based on dating history.  

• Challenge Biphobia: Where you feel safe to do so, challenge harmful stereotypes that you hear others say.

• Uplift and support marginalised bi people: It’s important to look at intersectionality too to be mindful and sensitive to those in the bi community who face additional barriers.  

• Use inclusive language: Be mindful of how you phrase words and careful not to generalise vocabulary. Several terms fall under the bi umbrella category such as pan and queer.  

• Support bi organisations and campaigns: To learn more and spread awareness, there are some fantastic Bi centred organisations within the UK such as: BiPhoria!, Bi Pride UK, Bi’s of Colour, Bi Survivors Network, Biscuit, and The Bisexual Index.

• Celebrate: Champion, celebrate and amplify bi people’s voices and stories. Read books, watch interviews, and learn more from the community.  

Historical & Famous Bi Icons!

In honour of Bi Visibility Week, let’s look at some prominent figures who are within the community! These are just a few of the many fantastic people in the public spotlight (both past and present) who have created pathways and visibility for the bi community.  

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) 

Probably arguably one of the most famous, classic playwrights in the world, many of Wilde’s work is queer coded. He was married to a long-time female partner, however had multiple male affairs. Over the years many have tried to ignore his bisexuality by saying he was repressing his ‘true’ sexuality.

Sir Alec Guinness (1914-2000) 

Most known for the iconic role as Obi-Wan in Star Wars, Sir Alec Guinness was discretely bisexual and struggled with his identity. Being in the entertainment world, he was sadly hyper aware of his surroundings. Sir Ian McKellen spoke about how Alec had tried to convince him not to advocate so publicly for the community. Either way, he has continued to be an icon in representing the community.

Billie Holiday (1915-1959) 

The legendary American Jazz singer was known to be openly bisexual throughout her career and had multiple affairs with and relationships with other women within the entertainment industry that were high profile. She also had married several times.  

Alan Cumming (1965-) 

The Scottish born and raised actor has had a huge career within the entertainment industry reaching audiences world-wide. Alan has also been quite open and vocal about being bisexual and championing his experiences. When asked how he explains bisexuality, Alan says: “I’m not here to change people’s minds about whether they believe in bisexuality. All I’m saying is that I think my sexuality and most people’s sexuality is grey.” 

Margaret Cho (1968-) 

Famous comedian Margaret Cho has openly shared her frustrations with harmful stereotypes. “Nobody has ever really accepted that I’m truly bisexual. Nobody has ever allowed it. It’s still very much a point of argument between anybody that I’ve been with. People just don’t accept it.” 

Cynthia Nixon (1966-) 

Most known for her iconic role as Miranda Hobbs in Sex & The City and And Just Like That, Cynthia is an American actress and advocate for the LGBT+ community, winning an award for her accomplishments in 2018 by the Human Rights Campaign. In an interview in 2012, Nixon mentioned “While I don’t often use the word, the technical precise term for my orientation is bisexual. I believe bisexuality is not a choice, it is a fact.”  

‘Polysexual’ and ‘amalgagender’ are among Dictionary.com’s newest words

“Polysexual”, “amalgagender” and “gay marry” are among the new words and phrases added to Dictionary.com this year, in a revision that also included the removal of gendered pronouns from hundreds of definitions. 

The online dictionary added 566 new words, many of which relate to identity and relationships, pop culture and artificial intelligence. Several new words describing identity and relationships involve the LGBTQ community.  

“Gender and identity have been particularly dynamic, and productive areas of language change in the past 15 years or so,” said John Kelly, vice president of editorial at Dictionary.com. “Whether it be socially or medically, there is a vocabulary component that is emerging, breaking through into the mainstream, that people need to know that they’re going to encounter.” 

Amalgagender, one of the new words, refers to the gender identity of some intersex people. Polyromantic is a person romantically attracted to people of various genders, and polysexual is a person sexually attracted to people of various genders. 

Kelly said the company uses four criteria to determine whether a word should be added to its dictionary: “Is it widely used, does it have shared meaning, does it demonstrate staying power and is it going to be useful for a general audience?”  

More than 2,000 definitions of existing words have also been revised, and about 400 of these were updated to either replace or remove gendered pronouns, Kelly said. 

“Not only does ‘him or her’ reduce the options in the example to a binary gender, but it also is harder to read and understand,” Kelly said. 

One of the updated definitions is for the word “volunteer,” which went from, “A person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service or undertaking” to, “A person who offers to perform a service or undertaking.” 

“We don’t go about our lives going, ‘Hey, I’m looking for some volunteers, you know, someone who offers himself or herself to do that.’ That construction is cumbersome and exclusive and we were overdue to make that change across our dictionary,” Kelly said. 

Resistance toward the use of transgender and nonbinary people’s preferred pronouns and a rise in anti-LGBTQ legislation nationwide have created a tense dialogue surrounding language used by LGBTQ people and allies.  

“Language really is a lightning rod,” Kelly said. “All of a sudden it can feel, when these new words get announced, that there’s an agenda behind it. I want to be clear: There isn’t an agenda; there is documentation.” 

This documentation, he added, shows that language is in fact changing.

“Whether we like it or not, whether we agree with it or not, whether it’s our personal views or not,” he said, “it’s our job to be a service to people to capture that language as objectively as possible.” 

The company has added dozens of new words and phrases that relate to the LGBTQ community in recent years. “Demisexual,” “neopronoun” and “aromantic” were among last year’s new additions. 

Adding new words and updating definitions is standard practice among prominent dictionary publishers. Major dictionaries including the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Macmillan English Dictionary and Collins English Dictionary frequently publish updated versions. 

Cinema firsts

First sympathetic portrayal of gay men

The film Anders als die Andern (Different from the Others) was released in 1919. It was one of the first sympathetic portrayals of gay men in cinema.

The film is a silent German melodrama intended as a polemic  against the then-current laws under Germany’s Paragraph 175, which made homosexuality a criminal offence.

The film’s basic plot was used again in the 1961 UK film Victim, starring Dirk Bogarde.

The first same sex kiss

The first same sex kiss in film history (or at least one of the earliest known ones) took place in the 1927 film Wings – the first and only silent film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. 

Buddy Rogers and Richard Arlen star in the film, playing two combat pilots who vie for the affection of the same woman (Clara Bow). That’s the storyline. But neither shows as much love for her … as they do for each other.

First pro lesbian film

The film Mädchen in Uniform (1931), a love story between a teacher and student in Germany, is widely recognised as the first pro-lesbian film.

It was banned by the National Socialists, but it opened the way for pro-lesbian film production and was followed by films such as Acht Mädels im Boot (1932), Anna and Elisabeth (1933) and Ich für dich, du für mich (Me for You, You for Me, 1934). 

Moving forward …

It wasn’t until 1977 that San Francisco hosted the world’s first gay film festival.

Derek Jarman Pocket Park

Manchester Art Gallery and Pride in Ageing at LGBT Foundation have worked in partnership to create the Derek Jarman Pocket Park, situated at the Mosley Street entrance of Manchester Art Gallery. This community garden space has been designed and planted by a volunteer group of green-fingered LGBT+ over 50s.

The Volunteer Gardeners have released an updated version of the garden zine, a digital version of which can be found here. Its release has been supported by the University of Manchester. It’s a fantastic document of the garden’s creation and launch.

Bridgewater Hall

We’re delighted to advise that The Bridgewater Hall has offered Out In The City members 12 FREE tickets to 23 performances from the International Concert Series, BBC Philharmonic and Manchester Mid-day Concerts Society at The Bridgewater Hall from 30 September to the end of May 2024.

The first seven concerts are listed below. Please let us know which ones you are interested in (just list the dates). The tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Please contact us here.

The remaining concerts will be added to the website soon. 

Saturday 30 September 2023 7.30pm

BBC Philharmonic – Janáček and Tchaikovsky

John Storgårds conductor

Janáček Sinfonietta
Alma Mahler arr. Colin and David Matthews Six Songs
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 in B minor, ‘Pathétique’

Monday 2 October 2023 7.30pm

Basel Chamber Orchestra

International Concert Series 

Shostakovich, orch. Barshai Chamber Symphony Op.110a in C minor
Mozart Piano Concerto No.14 in E flat major, K449
Heinz Holliger Eisblumen (Ice Flowers)
Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Bach Piano Concerto in D minor BWV 1052

Saturday 7 October 2023 7.30pm

BBC Philharmonic – Beethoven’s Fifth

Mark Wigglesworth conductor

Elgar Overture ‘Cockaigne (In London Town)’
Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major
Beethoven Symphony No. 5 in C minor

Saturday 14 October 2023 7.30pm

BBC Philharmonic – Anna Thorvalsdottir’s ARCHORA

Eva Ollikainen conductor

Haydn ‘L’isola disabitata’ – overture
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 18 in B flat major (K 456)
Anna Thorvalsdottir ARCHORA
Debussy La mer

Tuesday 17 October 2023 1.10pm

Hugh Mackay, cello

Manchester Mid-day Concerts Society

Claude Debussy Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor, L.135 
Gabriel Faure Romance Op. 69, and ‘Papillon’ Op. 77
Frank Bridge Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor

Friday 27 October 2023 7.30pm

National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine

International Concert Series 

Lyatoshynsky Grazhyna
Bruch Violin Concerto No.1
Sibelius Symphony No.1

Saturday 28 October 2023 7.30pm

BBC Philharmonic – An Evening of Finnish Wonder

John Storgårds conductor

Sibelius Pohjola’s Daughter
Sofia Gubaidulina  ‘In Tempus Praesens’ for violin and orchestra
Einojuhani Rautavaara Symphony No. 7, ‘Angel of Light’

Sylvester

Sylvester’s 76th birthday would have been on 6 September 2023.

Disco legend Sylvester is best known for his chart-topping collaborations with producer Patrick Cowley, such as “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)”.

In 1970 a 22-year-old Sylvester had moved to San Francisco and found himself involved with the Cockettes, the infamous psychedelic performance art troupe. Among this milieu was Peter Mintun, a pianist and record collector living in a commune devoted to retro culture.

According to Mintun, “We were like hippies who lived in the twenties. We lived in a house that didn’t have anything modern in it. Nothing in it was made after World War II.” Mintun and Sylvester bonded over their love of Black singers of yore and were allotted a slot during Cockettes performances reviving the music of the Prohibition Era.

One afternoon, Sylvester and Mintun recorded a number of their shared favourites including standards like “Stormy Weather,” “Happy Days Are Here Again,” and “God Bless the Child.” Sylvester’s unmistakable falsetto brings depth and a dash of camp to these familiar tunes.

All proceeds from the record will go to the two charities that Sylvester left his royalties after his death: Project Open Hand and PRC (formerly AIDS Emergency Fund).

This release documents the earliest known recordings from one of disco’s greatest talents.

What the Gay Pride Flag Means to Me: A Symbol of Inclusivity and Support

I want to share something that always manages to light up my heart and put a spring in my step – the vibrant and meaningful Gay Pride Flag.

After the shocking news the other week about Laura Ann Carleton, a shop owner in California who was killed for simply hanging a pride flag on her shop window, I realised I wanted to share what the pride flag means to me. It’s an important symbol, and in these troubling times for LGBT+ individuals, I think it’s more important than ever to support those businesses that show their support for LGBT+ people.

Yes, that colourful masterpiece that’s like a beacon of love and acceptance in a sometimes not-so-accepting world.

There’s a special moment when you’re walking down the street, exploring a new neighbourhood, and there it is – the pride flag hanging proudly on a business window, signalling that this place is all about inclusivity and celebrating diversity.

Every single time I see it, it’s like a burst of happiness and a reassurance that there are good vibes to be found.

I’m not sure about you, but for me, it’s impossible to ignore that burst of colour. It’s like an instant mood-lifter. I mean, who wouldn’t smile when greeted by that brilliant spectrum of hues that represent unity, love, and the beautiful tapestry of the LGBT+ community? It’s like a non-verbal “Hey, you’re welcome here, just as you are” message, and honestly, that’s something we could all use more of in this world.

Now, let’s talk about the magic that happens when I see that flag in unexpected places.

Picture this: I’m strolling down a street, my mind buzzing with errands, and bam! There it is – the pride flag hanging outside a cafe or a shop. Instantly, my focus shifts. It’s like a reminder to pause, take a deep breath, and acknowledge that I’m in a space where I’m not just accepted, but celebrated. It’s like someone giving you a warm hug when you least expect it. It’s like a secret code that we’re all part of this amazing, diverse family. It’s like someone saying, “Hey, we’ve got your back, and we’re excited to have you here.”

I don’t know about you, but that simple gesture makes me feel like a valued member of the community.

To me, the Gay Pride Flag is more than just colours on a piece of fabric; it’s a symbol of hope, love, and the progress we’re making toward a more accepting world. So, next time you see that flag waving proudly, take a moment to smile and remember that there are people out there who are working to create safe and inclusive spaces for everyone.

And if you’re like me, maybe you’ll also want to show your support by grabbing a coffee or checking out that shop – because when we stand together, we create a world that’s brighter, more colourful, and undeniably full of love.

The LGBT+ community is wonderfully diverse, and different flags represent various identities within the community. The beauty of these flags lies in their ability to promote visibility, understanding, and acceptance for individuals of various sexual orientations and gender identities.

Heartwarming photos

Scranchester

“Scran” is a northern word meaning food as in “Am starvin man! Let wi gan and get some scran”.

So “Scranchester” is a Manchester food tour with a twist. We were led by our guide, Rob, to some of the best independent restaurants in Manchester. He revealed some food and drink stories along the way giving us an edible insight into the past!

We met at Manchester Craft Centre in the Northern Quarter, and first explored what used to be the fish and meat markets area. Our first stop was Mackie Mayor’s award-winning food hall, the former Smithfield market. Opened in 1858, it was originally used as a fresh produce market, but had lain empty since the early 1990’s.

There we had a delicious tempura battered fish taco with a tasty topping.

We then moved on to Nells Pizza on Thomas Street, and sampled a couple of slices of “cheese and onion pie” pizza.

From there, we moved to Tib Street. The street had its origins in the 1780s and was previously the central trading district of Victorian Manchester. We remembered it as the home of “parrots and porn” as it was once the pet shop district. Much of the animal trade and pet shops shut down on Tib Street in the seventies, but the concealed structure of the street rendered it ideal for explicit stores to pitch up for patrons; away from city residents’ prying eyes.

We then headed to Tariff and Dale restaurant, where we sampled spiced pork and lamb meat rolls. There was also a vegetarian option.

We finished the tour at Affleck’s Palace, now home to many trendy, individual stalls, but once the home of Affleck and Brown’s department store. There, members of the group sampled a variety of delicious ice creams at Ginger’s Ice Cream Emporium, an award winning business.

The tour revealed unique food and drink stories and we learnt more about the city we love.

More photos can be seen here.

Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy

Christopher Isherwood (26 August 1904 – 4 January 1986) wrote Goodbye to Berlin (which became the musical Cabaret), A Single Man, Mr Norris Changes Trains and many more novels.

He met and fell in love with artist Don Bachardy in the early 50s. They actually met on Valentine’s Day 1953 when Don was 18 and Christopher was 48. They stayed together until Isherwood passed away in 1986. The image above is Don painting one of his many portraits of Chris.

Their relationship was extraordinary. The lived as an out couple during a time when being out was far more difficult than it is today. The 50s and 60s, even in California where they lived, were not the easiest of times to be gay. Donald Jess Bachardy (born 18 May 1934) still resides in Santa Monica, California.

First Ugandan charged with ‘aggravated homosexuality’ punishable by death

A 20-year-old man has become the first Ugandan to be charged with “aggravated homosexuality”, an offence punishable by death under the country’s recently enacted anti-gay law, prosecutors and his lawyer said.

Defying pressure from Western governments and rights organisations, Uganda in May enacted one of the world’s harshest laws targeting the LGBT community.

It prescribes life in prison for same-sex intercourse. The death penalty can apply in cases deemed “aggravated”, which include repeat offences, gay sex that transmits terminal illness, or same-sex intercourse with a minor, an elderly person or a person with disabilities.

According to a charge sheet, the defendant was charged on 18 August 2023 with aggravated homosexuality after he “performed unlawful sexual intercourse” with a 41-year-old man. It did not specify why the act was considered aggravated.

“Since it is a capital offence triable by the High Court, the charge was read out and explained to him in the Magistrate’s Court on (the) 18th and he was remanded,” said Jacqueline Okui, spokesperson for the office of the director of public prosecutions.

Okui did not provide additional details about the case. She said she was not aware of anyone else having been previously charged with aggravated homosexuality.

Justine Balya, an attorney for the defendant, said she believed the entire law was unconstitutional. The law has been challenged in court, but the judges have not yet taken up the case.

Balya said four other people have been charged under the law since its enactment and that her client was the first to be prosecuted for aggravated homosexuality. She declined to comment on the specifics of his case.

Uganda has not executed anyone in around two decades, but capital punishment has not been abolished and President Yoweri Museveni threatened in 2018 to resume executions to stop a wave of crime.

The law’s enactment three months ago drew widespread condemnation and threats of sanctions. Earlier this month, the World Bank suspended new public financing to Uganda in response to the law.

The United States has also imposed visa restrictions on some Ugandan officials, and President Joe Biden ordered a review of US aid to Uganda.

Pope Francis laments “reactionary,” politicised, US Catholic Church

Pope Francis has lamented what he called a “reactionary” Catholic Church in the United States, where he said political ideology has replaced faith in some cases.

In the 10 years since his election, Francis has been criticised by conservative sectors of the US Church who are opposed to reforms such as giving women and lay Catholics more roles and making the Church more welcoming and less judgmental towards some, including LGBT people.

Francis made his comments on 5 August in a private meeting in Lisbon with members of the Jesuit order, of which he is a member, during his trip for World Youth Day. They were published by the Jesuit journal Civilta Cattolica.

In a question-and-answer session, a Portuguese Jesuit said that during a sabbatical in the United States, he was saddened that many Catholics, including some bishops, were hostile to the pope’s leadership.

“You have seen that in the United States the situation is not easy: there is a very strong reactionary attitude. It is organised and shapes the way people belong, even emotionally,” the pope responded.

Religious conservatives in the United States often have aligned with politically conservative media outlets to criticise the pope over a host of issues such as climate change, immigration, social justice, his calls for gun control and his opposition to the death penalty.

“You have been to the United States and you say you have felt a climate of closure. Yes, this climate can be experienced in some situations,” Francis said. “And there, one can lose the true tradition and turn to ideologies for support. In other words, ideology replaces faith, membership in a sector of the Church replaces membership in the Church,” he said.

Don’t forget … Saturday, 2 September – Didsbury Pride, 6 Barlow Moor Road, Manchester M20 6TR

12 noon – 9.00pm – FREE

Rainbow Walk thru the Village from midday … assemble outside The Didsbury Pub from 11.30am.