February is LGBTQ+ History Month, marking a 28-day movement to celebrate LGBTQ+ people, their history, lives and experiences.
Although any usual events are unable to go ahead due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Manchester is still embracing the celebrations in full force.
If you want to get involved in LGBTQ+ History Month during the rest of February, here’s a list of everything the city has to offer.
1. #LGBTHistoryRide with Pride Out UK
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKqysFbFWXX/
While their usual fundraising cycle events can’t take place this year, Pride Out is instead encouraging people to grab their bikes and take part on their own – documenting their journey virtually.
Simply snap a photo on a ride while in a place of historic LGBTQ+ interest – it’s a perfect excuse to get out the house and fundraise while considering these important past events.
On Friday 19 February at 7pm, National Football Museum is hosting a panel about LGBT identity in women’s football and our responsibility to tell the stories of those players.
The talk, titled ‘Create the Space: LGBT+ Identity in Women’s Football’, will be hosted by Sky Sports presenter Jess Creighton.
Queer Lit, a Manchester-based bookstore, has selected its top choice of books focusing on the LGBT community.
With their comprehensive reading list of eye-opening literature, they’re encouraging people to consider the past of LGBTQ+ people in the community and how to become a better ally for them.
These will cover a variety of important discussions including HIV, ageing in the LGBT community and queer, black masculinities.
The short films will be available to view online from February 19, and a Q&A session with the filmmakers will take place on Thursday 25 February at 7pm.
This cute, creative brand launched their ‘Pride Patches’ at the end of January to show you’re part of the community.
With the tagline of ‘made for queer people, by queer people’, Splodge Store has also created stickers, t-shirts and graphics to raise awareness for the difficulties LGBTQ+ youths endure.
The latest instalment of the Manchester Museum podcast series has created an LGBTQ+ History Month special.
The episode, which focuses on ‘How can museums tell LGBTQ+ stories?’, is addressing the importance of museums telling LGBTQ+ narratives that have been previously absent from displays.
As a culmination of the month’s events and activities, this festival will return to Stockport Libraries (albeit virtually) to conclude LGBTQ+ History Month.
They have a diverse lineup of speakers, including a talk by Trudy Howson, the current LGBT+ Poet Laureate.
One of Affleck’s most creative brands, Luna MCR, have created an LGBTQ+ charity set to celebrate the month in a funky way.
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£5 of each purchase will be donated to AKT, a local charity that supports LGBTQ+ young people who are experiencing homelessness or living in a hostile environment.
It’s never too early to encourage your children to familiarise your children with inclusive gender pronouns, which Manchester Libraries are instilling through this sing-song session.
This upbeat story session will take place on Tuesday 23 February at 11am, following the book ‘They, She, He easy as ABC’ by Maya and Matthew.
The event will be hosted on their Facebook page for young children and their parents/carers to participate in.
What's On
A day of vintage cars and retro entertainment will take over a Greater Manchester town this month
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Roll up, roll up all vintage-lovers – a free full day of live entertainment is returning to Oldham town centre later this month.
Following being crowned Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2026-2027, there are set to be a whole host of exciting activities coming our way across the next couple of months, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled.
From old classic cars to live music and circus performances, Nostalgic Oldham has it all and we are very excited to pay a visit and celebrate one of our beloved boroughs.
The day will centre around the Big Yellow Bus in Parliament Square, serving as a hub throughout the celebrations. Here, visitors can expect plenty of free activities to get involved with, including Raggle Taggle Arts, Betty Brown Bags, Oldham Theatre Workshop and a craft workshop from Oldham Archives.
It is set to be a family-friendly, action-packed day with buckets of civic pride and traditional shows, including a performance from Saddleworth Morris Men as well as celebrating more contemporary dances from Troupe Dance.
While Tame Valley Motors will be showcasing some of their most nostalgic vehicles for all of you car-lovers, cycling enthusiasts will be able to catch a glimpse of the prestigious trophy inside the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift tent. Fans may also talk to the team behind bringing the competition through Oldham in July 2027.
Amongst the busyness, there will also be the opportunity to witness the unveiling of a brand new mural by artist Dave Draws, inside The Market at 11am.
A day of vintage cars and retro entertainment will take over Oldham
His large-scale illustrated map is a tribute to both the area and the people of Oldham, intertwining collaborative stories and drawings from members of the local community.
If you’re over in Oldham for the day, the charity Northern Roots will be opening its new Welcome Building to the public from 11am.
Visitors are welcome to browse their shop of handcrafted gifts, books and fresh produce, indulge on seasonal dishes at their café, explore the outdoor play area, Forestry Skills Centre and four acres of Urban Farm.
Subnum Hariff-Khan, Head of Libraries and Heritage and Arts at Oldham Council, said: “Nostalgic Oldham is a chance to celebrate everything that makes our borough special, from our history and traditions to the people and communities that shape Oldham today.
“There will be something for everyone to enjoy, whether that’s exploring the vintage vehicle display, watching live performances, getting involved in family activities or seeing the new community mural unveiled.
“As Greater Manchester Town of Culture, we’re proud to bring events like this to the town centre and, because it’s completely free, we hope residents and visitors alike will join us for what promises to be a fantastic day.”
Nostalgic Oldham will take place from 11-4pm on Saturday 19 September – be sure not to miss out
Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
Daisy Bradbury -
19th February 2021 
