Manchester’s LBGT History Snapshot
1970s
1978: First grant provided to local gay support help line.
1980s
1984: The Council’s first Equal Opportunities Committee meeting is held. The committee is responsible for developing the Council’s first Equality and Fairness strategy.
1985: UK's first openly gay mayor candidate Margaret Roff is nominated. This heightens public awareness of the issues.
1988: Manchester City Council is a leader in the national campaign to repeal Section 28. Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 caused the controversial addition of Section 2A to the Local Government Act 1986. Manchester is at the forefront of national campaigns to repeal the amendment staging several memorable demonstrations.
1988: Manchester City Council publishes and distributes over 6000 leaflets to staff, along with training to ensure Section 28 does not prevent LBG staff and service users from receiving equal treatment.
1988: Manchester funds a purpose built lesbian and gay centre at Sidney Street.
1989: Manchester supports the set up of supported lodgings service for LGB young people, which the following year becomes the Albert Kennedy Trust.
1990s
1990s: Manchester provides services to the LGB community through local LGB third sector groups.
1990s: Manchester City Council continues to sustain four LGB officer posts directly involved in policy making and implementation, contributing to the 1992 report ("Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988: a Guide for Workers in the Education Service, produced by Manchester City Council, May 1992.") which proved that Section 28 did not prevent this work.
1991: First Manchester Pride event “The Carnival of Fun”
2000s
2000s: Manchester City Council continues to fund the Lesbian and Gay Centre on Sidney Street, now the LBGT Centre.
2000s: Manchester supports I.D.A.H.O day and raises the rainbow flag above the Town Hall.
2003: The Council’s LBGT Staff group is established. It has a commitment to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in the Council's work and to offer effective staff support.
2003: Manchester hosts Europride
2003: Section 28 of the Local Government Act successfully repealed by the Labour Government.
2005: Manchester installs rainbow-flags paving stones along the LBGT History Trail.
2009: Manchester City Council is ranked #1 LGB Local Authority employer in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index for the fourth year running.
2009: Manchester City Council invites Press for Change to facilitate a seminar on current Trans issues to key stakeholders within the Council. The event provides a valuable opportunity for Lead Members and Officers to increase their knowledge and understanding of local and national Trans issues, which was followed by a series of consultations with the local Trans community to explore the issues further in a local context.
2010s
2012: Manchester opposes anti-LGBT law passed in Russia. Members of a St Petersburg LGBT equality group walk with Manchester City Council in the Pride Parade.
2012: Manchester City Council sponsors the inaugural Alan Turing Memorial Award at the LGF Homo Heroes Awards.
2013: Worlds first permanent Trans Memorial Garden and Trans Memorial in Sackville Gardens
2013: The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 is passed into law
2013: Manchester City Council sends Letter to the Governor of St Petersburg urging reconsideration of anti-LGBT law.