Canal Street Online Manchester

Manchester Village Stories

Manchester Village Stories

“My real impression was of the potential life suddenly gained for me. […] When we got back home it was possible to articulate a much richer vision for gay life – not just one where we could hope to be quietly tolerated as long as we kept our heads down”

“It was ’95 and I had recently overcome a nervous breakdown, […] I was sat with new lesbian friends on the street in the summer sunshine, drinking, people watching and finally feeling part of an accepting (mostly), vibrant and fun community”

“I hope that in the future the village becomes a more inclusive space, with more venues for women, trans, and non-binary people and a bigger commitment to anti-racism from venues.”

These are just three examples taken from stories that have been shared as part of the Manchester Village Stories project. Run by a team of researchers at The University of Manchester, this project wants to evoke an image of what the Village was, what it is, and what it could become. 

For generations Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Village has functioned as a space where people can gather and express diverse sexual and gendered identities away from the glare of public opinion. While the Village is unique to Manchester, the history of the area shares themes common to LGBTQ+ urban spaces across the world. The village has enabled a greater freedom of expression for LGBTQ+ individuals and provides a space for queer activism. As such, the village holds potent memories for many people. 

The Manchester Village Stories research team created an interactive website through which people can anonymously share their thoughts, memories, experiences and hopes for the future of the Village. 

To share your story and find out more about the project and the research team, check out the website via link below

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Published: 21-Jan-2021: (6095)

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