![]() ![]() The creator of Coronation Street, Tony Warren, described in his book ‘Behind Closed Doors’ how Manchester's Gay Village in the 1950s was just a dark, dank area of the city centre, "full of ne'er do wells and vagabonds, out to rob and blackmail the gay men who frequented that area".Īny bars and clubs within that familiar area, which is now a tourist attraction (oh, the irony!), had locked doors and covered windows. ![]() Strangely enough, lesbian acts have never been illegal, partly due to the fact that ‘it didn't exist’ according to those in charge! ‘Coming out’ was not a safe option and walking hand in hand with a partner of the same gender was seen as abhorrent. Men, like me, could have been arrested, and many gay men often were. However, we mustn't forget that all this freedom, this living our lives without prejudice and discrimination has not come easy.īefore the late 1960s, male homosexuality was illegal in the UK. Usually we see parades and rainbows, parties and happy smiling faces, although both this year and in 2020 many of those events have understandably had to move online. June is Pride month – a time to recognise and celebrate the LGBTQ+ communities around the world - but what does it really mean? As someone that has experienced times that were a lot less tolerant than today, it’s something I consider every year at this time. Paul Graham, content designer at DWP Digital
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