In This Place: Gaychester

Nick Grimshaw takes a look down Canal Street at how learn how it earned its place in LGBT+ history, growing from one pub to one of the most famous streets in the country. By the 90s the LGBT+ party scene in Manchester was famous enough to be known as Gaychester – but why did Manchester become known for its queer community? Each episode of In This Place: Gaychester looks at a different aspect of the city’s queer history. If you’re in Manchester, you can use this podcast as a walking tour and visit the locations spoken about. Head down to Canal Street and find the rainbow mosaics marking The Union and what use to be Manto. If you need help with LGBT+ issues or if you have suicidal thoughts, visit the BBC Action Line at bbc.co.uk/actionline Presenter: Nick Grimshaw Producers: Robert Beck, Jo Dheal and Jo Newsholme Editors: Nicky Edwards and Sam Turner

Ballads of the life of trans man Harry Stokes were hot gossip in 19th century Manchester. Annie Wallace (Hollyoaks) looks at what made Harry’s life so interesting to Victorians. By the 90s the LGBT+ party scene in Manchester was famous enough to be known as Gaychester – but why did Manchester become known for its queer community? Each episode of In This Place: Gaychester looks at a different aspect of the city’s queer history. If you’re in Manchester, you can use this podcast as a walking tour and visit the locations spoken about. Head to Spinningfields near The John Rylands Library to see what the area of Manchester Harry lived in looks like today. Presenter: Annie Wallace Producers: Robert Beck, Jo Deahl and Jo Newsholme Editors: Nicky Edwards and Sam Turner

Manchester drag royalty Cheddar Gorgeous looks at whether a “Drag Ball” in 1880 kicked off Manchester’s famous LGBT+ scene. By the 90s the LGBT+ party scene in Manchester was famous enough to be known as Gaychester – but why did Manchester become known for its queer community? Each episode of In This Place: Gaychester looks at a different aspect of the city’s queer history. If you’re in Manchester, you can use this podcast as a walking tour and visit the locations spoken about. If you stand on the corner of Fountain Street and York Street you’ll find a rainbow mosaic – this is the spot where it’s believed the 1880 Fancy Dress Ball took place. Presenter: Cheddar Gorgeous Producers: Robert Beck, Jo Deahl and Jo Newsholme Editors: Nicky Edwards and Sam Turner Thanks to Ric Brady and Stephen M Hornby for the audio of their play “A Very Victorian Scandal” and to the performers Graham Eaglesham, Gareth George, Mark Roberts, Joel Parry and John Smeathers

Alan Turing is now the face of the £50 note – he’s known for his work in Bletchley Park – but what was life like for him in Manchester? By the 90s the LGBT+ party scene in Manchester was famous enough to be known as Gaychester – but why did Manchester become known for its queer community? Each episode of In This Place: Gaychester looks at a different aspect of the city’s queer history. If you’re in Manchester, you can use this podcast as a walking tour and visit the locations spoken about. Head to Sackville Gardens near Canal Street and find the rainbow mosaic at the feet of a statue of Alan Turing. Presenter: Rob Rinder Producers: Robert Beck, Jo Deahl and Jo Newsholme Editors: Nicky Edwards and Sam Turner

How did Manchester fight the introduction of Section 28, introduced in 1988 to ban the “promotion" of homosexuality? By the 90s the LGBT+ party scene in Manchester was famous enough to be known as Gaychester – but why did Manchester become known for its queer community? Each episode of In This Place: Gaychester looks at a different aspect of the city’s queer history. If you’re in Manchester, you can use this podcast as a walking tour and visit the locations spoken about. To stand where the Section 28 protest took place, head to the town hall and find the rainbow mosaic by the entrance. Presenter: Dolly Rose-Campbell Producers: Robert Beck, Jo Deahl and Jo Newsholme Editors: Nicky Edwards and Sam Turner

Phil Lester looks at The AKT, or Albert Kennedy Trust, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2019 – how did it come to start in Manchester and who was Albert? By the 90s the LGBT+ party scene in Manchester was famous enough to be known as Gaychester – but why did Manchester become known for its queer community? Each episode of In This Place: Gaychester looks at a different aspect of the city’s queer history. Presenter: Phil Lester Producers: Robert Beck, Jo Dheal and Jo Newsholme Editors: Nicky Edwards and Sam Turner