Manchester’s Gay Village is one of the most important cultural and social landmarks for the LGBTQI* community in the UK, a space of resilience, joy, protest and pride. Yet today, there are very few signs or markers that visibly tell the rich story of this area’s LGBTQI* heritage.

In line with Manchester City Council’s Gay Village Action Plan, one of the key objectives is to celebrate the heritage of the Gay Village through public realm improvements. This includes the creation of high-quality, accessible and inclusive signage that reflects the built and social history of the area.

We're working in collaboration with local community groups, businesses and activists to design and install educational and engaging heritage signage across the Gay Village, telling the stories that deserve to be seen and heard.

This project is led by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), LGBT Foundation and a range of partners including:

• Manchester Pride

• Manchester City Council

• Friends of Sackville Gardens

• Manchester Metropolitan University

• Village Angels

This includes many voices from the community.

As part of this, the RTPI are hosting a special LGBTQI* Heritage Tour on 7 August, followed by LGBT Foundation’s 50th Anniversary and community celebration. As part of this event, the RTPI will lead a live consultation, giving people a chance to share ideas and help shape the stories that our signage will tell.

Your donation to LGBT Foundation will directly support:

o Design and production of new heritage signs

o Community workshops and engagement to shape content

o Installation of signage in public spaces around the Gay Village

o Making Manchester’s queer history visible, accessible and proudly celebrated

This initiative is community-driven, however, we need your help to make it happen.

All funds raised will go directly to the LGBT Foundation, who are hosting this JustGiving page and leading on delivery. The RTPI and partners are supporting the creative, planning and engagement process.

Let’s bring Manchester’s LGBTQI* history into the public eye, together.

Thank you for your generosity, solidarity and support.