Last month, Piccadilly Labour and Manchester Labour Councillors were joined by anti-hate crime campaigners in Sackville Gardens to rally against anti-LGBTQ+ violence and stand in solidarity with victims in Manchester and across the UK. This was organised in response to a series of violent attacks against members of the LGBTQ+ community in Manchester, across the UK and the world.

Cllr Jon-Connor Lyons who co-organised the event said “This is what Manchester is really about, it shows we will never be defeated in the face of anti-LGBTQ+ violence, homophobia, transphobia and all other forms of discrimination”.

The rally had campaigners from across Greater Manchester and Gay Village Business owners also in attendance. It had speakers from trade unions, from the Council and from campaigning groups. After the rally, Cllr Lyons and others led campaigners across the city centre to put up pro-LGBTQ+ posters, proudly and loudly claiming back our streets.

This weekend, Sparkle hosts it 15th annual Sparkle Weekend to celebrate gender diversity and inclusivity. It is completely free and accessible, held in Sackville Gardens.

Cllr Lyons said “LGBTQ+ events are necessary for this reason. We need to keep our community going, empowering each other and fighting back against those who seek to attack us. Without events like Sparkle, our rights would be corroded and we’d be pushed back into the closet. It’s the sweet resistance that keeps our community going.”

Piccadilly Labour Cllrs demand that the Conservatives reverse all cuts to police forces, returning the 21,000 Officers that have been removed from our streets and ensure that funding is given to community groups that can support the most marginalised groups of people in our communities, including Trans and Non-binary people.