P&I Shorts: February 2025

Welcome to the February edition of Macc’s Policy and Influence Shorts.

This month, it is LGBT History Month and we feel it is important to spotlight amazing history that is often not talked about. Jessica has written a really informative and insightful article on the Transgender Identities Throughout the Centuries. This edition of Shorts will take more of a specific look at LGBT news, campaigns and resources.

As always, we also highlight the impactful work of VCSE organisations across Manchester, showcasing campaigns, reports, and research driving real progress.

Best wishes,

Zara, Josie, Jessica, Milly and Anushka

Get in Touch

Hijras, Nommos, and Kathoeys: Transgender Identities Throughout the Centuries

To mark LGBT History Month, Jessica has written a really informative article that highlights Transgender Identities Throughout the Centuries, through looking at a global lens.

"Transgender identities are nothing new. Whilst their existence and rights are gaining more attention in the 21st century, they have existed around the world for hundreds of thousands of years. Many cultures around the world lived in harmony with transgenderism as an accepted social group, with dedicated social roles, but the concept of gender as we know it today has been largely constructed through the efforts of colonialism and Christianity."

Read Jessica's Article

News

What is conversion therapy and when will it be banned?

"Plans to outlaw so-called conversion therapy in England and Wales have been announced in The King's Speech.

The Labour government wants to ban what it calls "abusive" practices intended to change people's sexual orientation or their gender identity."

Manchester LGBT arts group launches queer history project

"A research project that will explore queer heritage and protest in the north west is being launched today in Manchester – to coincide with the 21st anniversary of the abolition of the Thatcher-era Section 28 policy.

"Their new two-year project, entitled Protest! – Documenting Dissent, aims to uncover “queer voices and untold stories”, while also recontextualising information that is buried in the public record."

Manchester Pride unveils groundbreaking ‘Coming Out at Work’ policy to mark National Coming Out Day

"With LGBTQ+ employees facing alarming levels of discrimination - 63% have experienced workplace discrimination, and 44% have left jobs due to a lack of acceptance - this policy addresses a critical need for more inclusive and supportive workplaces.

Manchester Pride’s Coming Out at Work policy provides specific guidance for employers to proactively support LGBTQ+ staff in the workplace."

Guest blog: A day in the life at George House Trust, the charity supporting people living with HIV in Greater Manchester

10GM spoke to Anna Hughes on an average day at George House Trust about the work she does, and how George House Trust is playing its part in reducing health inequalities in Greater Manchester.

This guest blog is part of a series where 10GM are looking at the role of the VCSE sector as a champion of community-led prevention work in Greater Manchester.

Learn More

City-Wide Reform Barriers to Provision Project

Barriers to Provision is a project that sits under the Streamlining Services (Person Centred) theme of our Reform Programme.

Manchester City Council would like to understand the barriers that residents face in accessing particular services or the wider offer of your organisation. Please complete the short form to contribute to the barriers to provision project.

Fill in the Short Form

Reports, Resources & Campaigns

Charities urged to answer call for evidence on community and cohesion

"Charities and civil society organisations have been asked to share their views on how to “build more connected, cohesive, and resilient communities” in light of last summer’s riots. The Independent Commission on Communities and Cohesion, which launched this spring, has issued a call for evidence to help shape the early phase of its work. Hosted by the Together Initiative and co-chaired by former cabinet ministers John Denham and Sajid Javid, the commission aims to develop recommendations for policymakers and a collective vision for the future of communities."

Memory and trauma in LGBTQ+ women’s asylum claims on sexual orientation and gender identity grounds: disregarded, dismissed and denied

This research delves into the relationship between trauma and memory in relation to LGBTQ+ women’s claims for international protection in the UK on SOGI grounds, and looks at how the impacts of these are currently dealt with in asylum procedures. The research explores how memory and trauma exacerbate existing barriers faced by LGBTQ+ women during their refugee status determination (RSD) procedures, how these issues influence the coherence of their narratives of their persecution, and how this impacts decision-makers’ assessments of their credibility and ultimately the outcome of their claims for asylum on SOGI grounds in the UK.

African Rainbow Family: Freedom Pass to Connection Campaign

African rainbow Family are campaigning to better connect people seeking asylum to their support networks and communities through free public transport. The campaign is trying to influence locally to bring about national change. For more information, click the button below:

Riots to Resilience

"The VCS Emergencies Partnership wanted to understand the human response to the racist riots, particularly the VCS response, and lessons we can learn for the future."

The report looks at the stories and experiences from the racist and Islamophobic riots of August 2024 and the 5 actionable steps that can be learnt going forward.

Read the Report Here

Events

Community Session: LGBTQ+ History Month - Deep dive into the archive

"Manchester has always been home to incredible LGBTQ+ communities and activists. From the historic Section 28 March to iconic 90s Mardis Gras celebrations, this city has always been an amazing place to be LGBTQ+.

Join us at this month's community session as we dive deep into the Manchester Pride archives, looking at our city's history and the amazing journey that created Manchester Pride. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own photos, memorabilia and artefacts so we can share stories and celebrate our queer history together."

Date & time: 25 February 2025, 18:00 - 20:00

Venue: The Proud Place LGBT+ Community Centre 49-51 Sidney St Manchester M1 7HB

Museum Lates: Queer Ecologies

To mark LGBTQ+ history month, we are hosting a takeover of the 'Wild' exhibition to explore and build solidarity around LGBTQ+ representation, access and experiences in nature and the wild.

During the evening you can explore interactive stalls, museum objects and drop in activities positioned throughout the exhibition, and be introduced to Queer Ecology with a talk by ecologist, researcher and writer Jasmine Qureshi. This will be followed by a Q&A and panel discussion chaired by Manchester Museum's Social Justice Manager, Chloe Cousins.

Date and Time: 26 February 2025, 18:00 - 21:00

Venue: The Manchester Museum, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL

Making 2025 the year of Community Power

With the recent release of the government’s English Devolution White Paper, the first step of a process that will see a Bill move through parliament next year, 2025 presents a huge opportunity to ensure that policy change really gives local people more power to shape their places.

Join Power to Change and We’re Right Here for this webinar to learn about how you can get involved in the campaign and make 2025 the year of community power.

Date and time: 27 February 2025, 1:00pm - 1:00pm

Venue: Online

BeHER: Women's Community Festival

Celebrate International Women's Day at the BeHER Women's Community Festival.

The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Accelerate Action’, which calls on supporters of gender equality to act against systemic barriers women from all backgrounds face in their personal and professional environments.

Join us at Manchester Central Library as we celebrate women this International Women's Day 2025.

This event is organised by women-led community organisations from across the city. It's all about coming together to support each other to 'Heal, Encourage and Revive' and to have a great time.

From:

inspiring speakers,

interactive storytelling and craft workshops,

music and dance,

there's something for everyone.

Date and time: 8 March 2025, 11:00pm - 2:00pm

Venue: Manchester Central Library

Find out More

To get in touch:

Telephone information service: 0333 321 3021

Support line open Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm
Calls are charged at the same rate as a local call, whether made from a landline or mobile phone

Email: info@mcrcommunitycentral.org

Website: www.manchestercommunitycentral.org

Or get in touch directly with the Policy and Influence Team:

Zara: Policy and Influence Manager, zara@macc.org.uk – Health and Wellbeing Leaders Group, VCSE Representation, VCSE Strategy, Climate Action, Voluntary Sector Assembly

Josie: Policy and Influence Development Worker, josie@macc.org.uk – Inclusive Economy, Manchester Social Economy Alliance (MSEA), Real Living Wage, Greater Manchester Social Value Network (GMSV)

Milly: Policy and Influence Development Worker, Emily.mckinnell@macc.org.uk - Sanctuary Seekers Community Response, Alternative Venues, Community Explorers

Anushka: Policy and Influence Development Worker, anushka@macc.org.uk –Family Hubs, Community Safety Partnership and P&I Newsletter

Jessica: Policy and Influence Trainee, jessica@macc.org.uk – Just One Thing, Climate Action, data and administrative support, social media and communications