Weekend Bender Part IV - Getting my history straight.
I was never that interested in history at school, it just didn't seem relevant to me then I don't think. Perhaps as I've gotten older I can relate more to the past, certainly my interest in modern history is much more keen than it used to be.
I guess that is the key isn't it, relevance. There's no point listening to even the most animated spokesperson if you have little or no interest in the subject.
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| Rainbow tile |
This is also just one of two officially sanctioned LGBT history walks to take place in any city in the world, the other being in San Francisco.
Anyone who knows Manchester will also know that this is a city that is awash with a vibrant modern history. The birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, the Suffragette movement started here as did the labour movement for workers rights. The city has always spawned big ideas, Karl Marx and Engels were inspired to write the Communist party manifesto in the city.
All of this history is well documented though, having been duly recorded for the history books, which can't be said of Manchester's queer past. When delving back as far as the late 1700s things start to get a little murky, this just makes for a more personal and interesting history lesson as far as I am concerned though.
One of the few places where there are records is the law courts where the sentences for hard labour - which used to be the punishment for homosexuality - were handed out. The records go as far back as the late 1700s until the Victorian era with hundreds of gay men being jailed. Ironically the courts are at the beginning of Canal Street which of course is now the heart of Manchester's gay village.
It's not just this area that the trail takes in though and there are over 20 rainbow tiles set in the pavement in all parts of the city to commemorate LGBT history. These tiles were commissioned by Manchester Council from local artist Mark Kennedy, and each one marks a significant moment and a colourful story in the city's history.
One such story is of a party which was raided by police in the city centre in 1880, taking place in of all places a temperance hall. Police reports of the actual raid tell of "disgraceful proceedings" and of the 47 men in attendance 22 being dressed as women. This is just one many tales of illicit and secretive meetings and events taking place in and around the city. Certainly a sure sign that Manchester's queer life was alive and kicking even in the up tight - buttoned up Victorian era.
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| Alan Turing statue |
Most poignant perhaps is the story of Alan Turing who is now rightly recognised with his own statue in Sackville Gardens as well as having one of Manchester's main streets named after him.
Despite being part of the code breaking team at Bletchley Park that cracked the enigma code during World War II Turing was still prosecuted because of his homosexuality in the 1950s. His tragic story highlights why it is so important to remember our history and certainly makes me think about the freedom that I so often take for granted.
If you're interested in organising a tour for a group of friends then call the Manchester Tourist Information Line on 0871 222 8223
Manchester is only 2 hours and 7 minutes from London.
Fly to Manchester in 60 minutes from London with British Airways and BMI
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