Cool Manchester

Manchester has been named the best gay-friendly destination in the world ahead of San Francisco, Sydney and Amsterdam.

The title has been awarded by Expogays, a Spanish based Gay Business and Tourism Fair, which showcases gay friendly businesses, tourism destinations and specialised products to more than 15,000 visitors.

The news comes as Manchester prepares for its 21st Pride festival with the Big Weekend celebration taking place this Bank Holiday weekend.

Manchester has been recognised for the respect and tolerance it shows to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, said: “Manchester has always been a tolerant city and this award confirms that. It’s great to recognise the sense of community that LGBT people bring to the area.

“Manchester is an attractive location for gay visitors, with its dedicated gay village and a whole range of LGBT events taking place across the year. Gay tourism brings a great deal of economic benefit to the region and we’re proud to say that Manchester is a destination where gay and lesbian tastes are catered for.”

For more information about Manchester’s gay tourism, visit www.visitmanchester.com/lgbt

For more information on Expogays, visit www.expogays.com

It was to my surprise, and complete dismay that i awoke this morning to an article so biased and disturbing that i felt compelled to speak out against it. What was just as alarming as the 'message' was the messenger, non other than one of the UKs most respected new's papers, The Observer.

For those not fully aware of what M.E (Myalgic Encephalopathy) is, let me explain.

It's a condition that effects the central nervous system, possibly a viral onset (i say this with some doubt as no science has backed this theory up completely yet). What we DO know about the condition is that it causes swelling of the brain, spinal cord, and induces uncommen fatigue, which is to say many patients are bed ridden for months, years, and sadly, sometimes for life.

The illness was lumped together in the unhelpful bracket of 'CFS' (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). This tag was rejected by patients and specialists alike, as it didnt explain the central nervous system distubences patients suffer from, including acute pain, balance problems, blurred speach, and breathing problems.

The main axe patients have to grind at the moment is the proposed treatment of this debilitating illness. When something very phyiscal is going wrong with you, the last thing you want to hear a GP saying is "it could be all in your mind". Sadly, many GPs still believe this outdated explanation of ME.

Even worse than this, bringing me back to my point here, is when such a respected new's paper such as The Observer prints an article that compares ME patients to dangerous militents. I kid you not.

The article, released today, centres on the issue of researchers hired by the govenment (to the tune of £5 million tax payers money) being harrassed by way of death threats and hate mail. If this is going on, then its no doubt a small faction of idiots who are directing thier anger at not being taken seriously to the wrong people.

"Whats wrong with mentioning these kinds of threats in a news article" you might reasonably say to yourself. Please read the article, of which I've linked below..its imporant to read this.

http://www.theguardian.co.uk/society/2011/aug/21/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-myalgic-encephalomyomyelitis

Its the tone of the article which was non other than an attack of the growing number of people struck down by the illness. Yes, there ARE activists about for ME, but they are more concered with furthering medical science to help patients get the the help they so deperately need.

A very similer media campaign was set up against AIDS patients years go, which caused panic and zero understanding about Aids.

With articles like todays, its easy to see that the govenment is trying to bury the whole illness as the preserve of people whith phycological problems. The real question here is WHY. Is it because trying to treat a chronic phyiscal condition of which they themselves know nothing about is too costly? Maybe given the cut backs, who knows.

All ME patients are asking for, is govenment funded bio-chemical research to take place that will hopefully, one day provide an answer to the riddle of what causes this horrific illness, and to stop the ingnorance and indifference many people view the illness with.

But, with articles that mention words like 'miliant', 'death threats', 'dangerous' and so on, it's set's an already misguided population further into the frame of mind that ME is all in the patients head.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED HERIN ARE STRICTLY MY OWN.

Manchester Pride, the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) festival in the United Kingdom has been backed by the country’s three biggest political leaders, from the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour parties.

Prime Minister David Cameron encouraged the mixture of sports, arts, films, parties and ‘Best of British’ theme which he stated “will be a great success. I also want to congratulate everyone who has been involved in growing Manchester Pride over the years; these events don’t organise themselves and require a lot of hard work, but they play an important part in the cultural life of our country and you should be proud of what you’ve achieved.”

Leading on from this was Lib Dem’s Nick Clegg, who said: “Manchester Pride is to be applauded for its work in raising awareness of the discrimination and difficulties affecting the lives of LGBT people and I would like to sincerely commend all those involved with Manchester Pride on reaching this very special milestone.”

MP Ed Miliband of the Labour Party actually took part in last year’s Manchester Pride parade, and exclaimed that he enjoyed showing his support for equality. Miliband said: “The popularity of the event shows just how far we have come in recent years in the campaign for equality from tackling hate crimes through to civil partnerships. I am proud of the progress we have made towards LGBT equality over the last decade, but there is still more to do.”

At a time where we are all coming to terms with the fact that there is a lot of disruption and contempt in the United Kingdom, it is fantastic to see the three most influential politicians in this country come together to support something as positive as Manchester Pride.

Jackie Crozier, festival director of Manchester Pride, said: “Regardless of the party you support it is a great thing to know all three main political parties, and their leaders, support the move towards equality for LGBT people. Manchester Pride are thrilled to have their support and now look forward even more positively to our 21st birthday and 2011 festival!”

Manchester Pride's 'Big Weekend' takes place from Friday 26 - Monday 29 August, and tickets are now on sale. For more information please visit: www.manchesterpride.com

Follow Manchester Pride on Twitter @manchesterpride

Manchester Pride is thrilled to announce that ITV will be taking part in the parade on Saturday 27 August, with its ‘Best of British’ 2011 theme.

As a part of the ITV float, Manchester Pride will be welcoming back the cast of Coronation Street, who won ‘Best Float’ in the festival’s 2010 parade. A few of the Corrie cast – both old and new to the LGBT festival – have had many great things to say about their participation this year with ITV. Alison King (Carla Connor) and Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre) have stated they are going to go all out to take home the winning title for ‘Best Float’ second year running.

Clare Wade, second assistant director at ITV, said: "For the second year running Coronation Street and ITV are supporting Manchester Pride. It is a privilege to be the lead float in the parade again this year and it is a symbol of how we at ITV wholeheartedly and proudly support diversity not only in the workplace but everywhere."

Brook Vincent, who plays Sophie Webster in the soap, said: "I had an absolute ball last year and think it's a great chance to come together in an awesome city like Manchester and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender life. It's fantastic that Coronation Street is supporting Pride yet again and I'm very proud to be portraying a lesbian character on screen. Hopefully it will go some way towards making people realise there is nothing in any way wrong with being gay. You're born who you are!"

Fellow actors Ian Puleston-Davies (Owen Armstrong), Will Thorp (Chris Gray), Samia Smith (Maria Conor), Alison King (Carla Connor) and Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre) have also shown their support and excitement for this year’s Manchester Pride and its parade.

Jackie Crozier, festival director of Manchester Pride, said: “We are thrilled to welcome back the Corrie cast and even more excited that they are a part of ITV’s first ever float in the Pride parade. The parade is one of the most ‘Loud and Proud’ and public parts of our festival so to have Coronation Street and ITV demonstrate such strong support as a part of this means a lot.”

Manchester Pride 2010 takes place from Friday 19 – Monday 29 August and tickets for the Big Weekend (August 26 – 29) are now on sale. For more information, visit: www.manchesterpride.com

Alternatively, follow us on Twitter: @ManchesterPride

Manchester Pride, the UK’s largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) annual celebration has confirmed this morning that their 2011 festival will still be going.

The riots, which have caused damage to many of the bars and cafes in and around the Gay Village, began around 5pm yesterday at the Salford Precinct and slowly made their way into Manchester.

Jackie Crozier, Festival Director of Manchester Pride, said: “what happened last night in Manchester is an absolute disgrace. We live amongst some fantastic people in an amazing city that has grown on its own organically. We must now stand up for Manchester; business will be going ahead as usual in our Gay Village and Manchester Pride will be going ahead. We hope to see you all there in a few weeks to celebrate the positive elements of the city of Manchester: its diversity, community and strength”.

This year Manchester Pride celebrates its 21^st birthday with a parade theme of ‘Best of British’. Despite the recent goings on not showing perhaps the best of what this country has to offer, the amount of effort and support to rebuild Manchester (and other cities involved) has been phenomenal. In Manchester’s city centre there were groups organised via Twitter who had begun tidying the mess whilst rioting was still going on.

Manchester’s Gay Village – despite minor damage from the rioting – is still open for business. The public are being encouraged to still attend the bars and pubs and come to Manchester Pride, to have a good time, show the likes of the looters that Manchester will not be defeated and to have a great time raising money for HIV organisations and LGBT groups in Manchester. Since 2003, Manchester Pride has raised £895, 000 for charity.

Manchester Pride’s Big Weekend takes place from Friday 26 – Monday 29 August, and tickets are now on sale. For more information, visit: www.manchesterpride.com

Alternatively, follow us on Twitter: @ManchesterPride