From the groundbreaking moments that shaped the community to the establishment of organisations and inclusive spaces, we take a look back at Liverpool’s LGBTQIA+ history and share information on organisations, resources and events that celebrate and support the LGBTQIA+ community.
Liverpool’s LGBTQIA+ History
Liverpool has been at the forefront of many different LGBTQIA+ movements throughout the years, and currently stands loud and proud with the LGBTQIA+ community.
- In 1994 the first (pre watershed) lesbian kiss was featured in Liverpool soap opera Brookside and broadcasted on national television.
- In 2005 Liverpool Registry Office became the first to include a gay couple in promotional material.
- In 2011, Liverpool was the first British city to officially recognise a Gay Quarter, with the introduction of rainbow street signs along Stanley Street.
- In 2012, Liverpool Pride was the first in the country to have a football club ‘officially’ represented at an UK Pride event, which has continued ever since with the clubs’ proud supporters marching in solidarity with the cities LGBTQIA+ community.
LGBTQIA+ Organisations, Events & Safe Spaces
Homotopia
Founded in 2003, Homotopia is a Liverpool based arts and social justice organisation making a cultural impact through art and activism. They aim to support and platform local, national, and international LGBTQIA socially engaged artists and creatives.
Every November they present Homotopia Festival, where they feature a wide variety of LGBTQIA art across multiple venues and outdoor spaces in Liverpool. This is the UK’s longest running LGBTQIA festival and a great safe space to express your creativity and be your authentic self.
Additionally, year round they have multiple projects aimed at supporting national LGBTQIA+ culture and community. Their various projects include:
- Young Homotopia (performance classes for LGBTQIA youth)
- QueerCore (an artist development program)
- Queer the City (LGBTQIA art installations around Liverpool City Centre)
- Homotopia Presents (art projects supported year-round)
- Supported by Homotopia (LGBTQIA collaboration projects supported year-round).
These projects create a safe, creative space for everyone to express their individuality. They also host various Queer Creative Meet-ups, a powerful opportunity to connect with likeminded individuals and seek career advice.
Homotopia: Bluecoat, L1
The Pride Quarter
The Pride Quarter, that encompasses Stanley Street and surrounding areas, provides a safe space for a great night out.
Liverpool’s first ‘gay quarter’ was based around the original Queen Square, until its demolition to make way for St John’s Shopping Precinct in the 1960s. By 1972, Stanley Street was established as the new quarter, with the opening of the legendary Paco’s Bar. In 2011, Liverpool City Council officially recognised the area as the city’s Pride Quarter.
The area features many iconic venues and drag nights that simply cannot be missed. Bars such as OMG Liverpool, GBar and Heaven are just a few of the amazing venues in The Pride Quarter, and undeniably offer some of the biggest and best nightlife in the city.
Pride Quarter: Stanley Street, L1
GYRO LGBTQ+ Youth Club
Founded in 1976, GYRO (Gay Youth ‘R’ Out) is the UK’s longest running LGBTQ+ youth group, setting out to provide support to youths who may be questioning their sexuality and/or gender identity. They create a safe space for vulnerable youths, offering a 1 to 1 service and various group activities to try to make sure that nobody feels alone and improve their self-esteem, self-acceptance, and confidence.
They have a support group running for 11-16 year olds every Tuesday from 4:30pm – 6pm, and for 16-25 year olds it’s held every Thursday at 6pm – 7:30pm.
GYRO: YPAS Central Hub, Lyndene Road, L25
Pride In Liverpool
Pride in Liverpool aims to position the Liverpool city region as the most LGBTQIA+ friendly region in the UK. They aim to do this by highlighting the daily barriers that LGBTQIA+ people living in and visiting the region face, and by creating an inclusive culture where people feel they can fully participate and contribute.
The official Pride In Liverpool celebration takes place in Liverpool city centre every summer and you can check out their website for details.
Pride in Liverpool: LCR Pride Foundation, Mann Island, L3
Museum of Liverpool LGBTQ+ audio trail
The Museum of Liverpool has partnered up with the Bottoming Podcast duo, Matthew Riley and Brendan Geoghegan, to create a special LGBTQ+ audio trail to listen to as you walk around the museum.
The Bottoming Podcast looks at mental health in the LGBTQ+ community and how this affects people on a larger scale. The audio trail includes an artwork of Pete Burns by Ben Youdan, the Villanelle outfit from Killing Eve and a Football Equalities Display. Download the floor maps of their LGBTQ+ exhibits here.
National Museums Liverpool also have a wealth of LGBTQ+ art history and activism coverage online, which includes many articles, videos and images. Artists featured include, David Hockney, Leonardo Da Vinci and Edward Lear.
Museum of Liverpool: Mann Island, L3, 10am – 5pm, closed Mondays.
Mersey Marauders FC
Mersey Marauders FC are Merseyside’s LGBTQIA+ football club, offering LGBTQIA+ people in Merseyside the opportunity to play football in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Since 2005, Mersey Marauders FC have provided a friendly, inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ people and allies to play football in the Liverpool City Region. They run weekly training sessions for players of all abilities – everyone is welcome. Players come from a wide range of backgrounds and experience – some have been playing most of their lives, but others come having barely kicked a ball before. They cater for both these groups, and everyone in-between.
You can find out more about the team and join them here.
Reel Queer by First Take
Reel Queer is a FREE 5 year film project (2023-2028) by award-winning not for profit filmmaking and digital arts organisation First Take, working with people from the LGBTQIA+ community living in the Liverpool City Region.
Describing their Reel Queer project they says: “Together we will produce high end drama, documentary and art films for screening, socials, streaming, exhibitions, festivals and broadcast; giving a voice to our community and championing queer film.”.
Sefton Pride
Sefton Pride CIC was founded in May 2023 and held their first event in July 2023. Their aims are to provide an annual Pride event as well as year round education and community support.
Sefton Pride originated after Southport resident, Jennifer Corcoran, attended Joe Lycett’s More, More, More! show in 2023 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. Part of the set was dedicated to how the comedian and LGBTQIA+ activist had curated a Pride event in his hometown. Jennifer came away from the gig determined to bring an event to her home borough of Sefton.
Visit their Instagram for more information.
Sefton Pride: Walnut Street, Southport, PR8
Wirral LGBT Network
Wirral LGBT Network offers information, advice, support, advocacy, training and volunteering opportunities for LGBTIQA people. The Network was set up in September 2012 as a result of an LGBT Needs Assessment carried out by Wirral NHS.
Their vision is a thriving, diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community on the Wirral. A place where LGBT people feel safe and are free from discrimination. Visit their Facebook page to find out more.
Wirral LGBT Network: 5 Bridge Street, Birkenhead, CH45
GLOW Halton Youth LGBT
GLOW provides access to youth worker support, information and advice. They provide a safe space for young people to socialise with access to informal educational opportunities and positive activities.
GLOW run two clubs on Tuesdays – one for 11 – 15 years (5 – 6.30pm) and another for 16-24 years (7 – 9pm) – from their centre in Widnes. They also provide trips out and activities including arts and crafts, sports, film nights, music and more
GLOW: The Studio, Lacey Street, Widnes, WA8
Over The Rainbow St Helens
Over The Rainbow is a social support group in St Helens for 13-19 Year olds who are LGBTQIA+. They run a closed confidential youth group based in St Helens, Merseyside. At Over the Rainbow, you will find a group of likeminded young people that you can socialise with safely.
They offer information, advice and guidance on a range of issues relevant to young people in general and LGBTQIA+ young people in particular, including coming out, bullying, sexual and emotional and mental health and well-being.
Follow them on Instagram for information and updates.
Resources
Comics Youth LGBTQ+ Trail
With the help of 14 queer icons from in and around Liverpool Comics Youth have created this LGBTQ+ Trail highlighting spaces and places most LGBTQ+ people feel they belong.
Creative Community Organisation, Comics Youth, do incredible work for young people in the city. Empowering youth across Merseyside to flourish from the margins of society, they offer a wide range of opportunities for people, from zine creation and comic book workshops to youth-led publishing hubs and social campaigns.
Comics Youth CIC: Make CIC, Hamilton Square, Birkenhead, CH4
Sahir House
Sahir House provides vital frontline services to communities in Liverpool and the Merseyside area, including sexual health services and LGBTQIA+ support services.
Their LGBTQIA+ Peer-to-Peer Groups offer the opportunity to meet and share experiences and become more involved in Merseyside’s LGBTQIA+ community. All groups are free and welcome new members. Find out more.
Sahir House can also signpost you to a variety of independently run local groups.
Sahir House: 151 Dale Street, L2
Have we missed anything in this article? Let us know! Get in touch with Clare at clare@culture.org.uk. We strive to make our features as inclusive as possible, so we’re keen to hear your suggestions.