Central Library catalogues Manchester’s gay history

Manchester Libraries and The Lesbian and Gay Foundation (LGF) are collaborating to make an important archive accessible to the public at Manchester Central Library. The LGF is based in Manchester and provides a wider range of support and advocacy services for LGBT people than any other UK based charity.

The collection from The LGF has been deposited with the Archives Centre at Central Library and includes a comprehensive catalogue of local and national gay and lesbian magazines, including The Mancunian Gay, Outnorthwest, Gay Times, Diva, plus many other smaller and often short-lived grassroots publications.

The archives also include historical documents and report about a variety of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) issues, including Manchester’s Pride celebrations, culture and health issues, such as HIV and AIDS. Selected items from The LGF’s collection are now on view at the Archives Centre.

Alongside the library’s existing LGBT History collections—including the Queer Up North Theatre archive, the Manchester City Council’s Equalities Team archive and the Allan Horsfall collection—the new LGF archive enables Mancunians to trace the development of the Village and LGBT politics, culture and services in the city region from the 1960s to the present day.

Heather Williams, Policy & Research Manager at The LGF, said: “We are delighted to be working with Manchester Central Library to make our archives accessible to the public. These archives contain valuable records of the development of LGBT rights and changing attitudes in society, and now the people of Manchester will be able to discover and celebrate the history of the North West’s LGBT communities.”

Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, Councillor Rosa Battle, said: “Manchester City Council has a proud history of working with Manchester’s LGBT community and the Central Library’s Archives Centre is the perfect place to store, care for and exhibit these important archive materials to the public.”

LGF volunteers are working alongside librarians to improve access to the collection by adding to the online catalogue. Volunteer David Allinson said, “volunteering on the archive project has changed my life in so many ways. I have met so many wonderful people and I have a positive focus in my life now.

“It’s helped me to give something back to the LGF, who supported me and turned my life around and helped me become the person I am today.”

On Valentine’s Day next year, the first National Festival of LGBT History, Manchester in Love, will be held at Central Library’s Performance Space. Ahead of this event, archive opening days will be held in November and January.

For those wishing to find out more about researching LGBT history visit http://lgbthistoryfestival.org for more information.