|
Report of LGBT History Month Conference
Attendance at the Manchester Trades Union Council strands was approximately
70 at exhibition (40 signed visitors book, many did not); 30/40 at NWTUC LGBT
reception; 30 at the cabaret and 20 at the Manchester TUC day on the Sunday.
Donations were collected for George House Trust throughout the Saturday about
£30.00 was collected.
Brochures promoting the Mechanics as a meeting and conference venue were
distributed at the Exhibition.
The conference attracted national interest with delegates attending on behalf of
the FBU. Unions represented at the conference included: UCU; UNITE; UNISON;
FBU; USDAW; GMB; CWU; NUT; PCS; Musicians Union; and NUS. Other
organisations who attended included the Queer Youth Network; Unite Against
Fascism; Greater Manchester Stop the War Coalition and Manchester Coalition
Against the Cuts.
North West LGBT UNISON network; Greater Manchester Stop the War;
UAF/Love Music Hate Homophobia and Manchester Coalition Against the Cuts
all had stalls at the exhibition.
The LGBT Heritage Trail that took place on Saturday afternoon finished at the
Exhibition and there will be footage available via YouTube of Kate Richardson
giving a short talk to this group about the Exhibition and the historical significance
of the Mechanics Institute to the trades union movement.
A freelance photographer took photographs of the exhibition and cabaret, these
will be uploaded to www.manchestertuc.org soon. The People’s History Museum
have asked if they could have some photographs of the Lesbian and Gay
Support the Miners banner in situ and selected photographs will be shared with
them and the Mechanics Institute.
Cllr Mary Murphy welcomed everyone to the reception.
The lower numbers on the Sunday meant that the conference finished at 1.30pm
which should reduce the staff costs bill from the Mechanics.
The conference was financed via partnership for low cost or free resources
between Manchester Trades Union Council; The Mechanics Trades Union and
Labour History Trust; People’s History Museum; Manchester Pride and UCU
National LGBT Committee. A grant has been received from the NWTUC
Development Fund and Manchester Pride Community Trust and donations
pledged from NW LGBT UNISON Network and national FBU.
Accounts are still being finalised but it is likely that Manchester Trades Union
Council will make a loss on the event mainly due to the late notification of staff
costs from the Mechanics Trades Union and Labour History Trust which were
higher than anticipated and meant there was no time to issue a fundraising
appeal to cover these. The raffle on Saturday night attracted donations of prizes
from UNITE Fujitsu branch; the performers at the cabaret; and individuals from
Manchester Trades Union Council.
Despite some setbacks the event raised the profile of Manchester Trades Union
Council and was a success. The event showed the potential of the Mechanics for
this sort of conference.
The new connections made with LGBT and other organisations will prove useful.
Thoughts for next year
I think it would better fit the TUC Trades Council workplan if we oriented on
LGBT community groups in Manchester rather than focussing on North West and
National LGBT trades union networks.
I think a two day conference is ambitious so a one day conference incorporating
an exhibition and workshops and a cabaret evening will be a lot more
manageable.
I have had an informal chat with the Queer Youth Network, Queers Against the
Cuts, and the LGBT Deaf Group to work in partnership next year. The LGBT
Deaf Group have photographs that they want to display. I think an exhibition
based on old photographs would be profound and moving; many LGBT people
are estranged from their families so a record of good times with friends is very
significant for many people. We could put out an appeal now.
An approach to somewhere like Contact Theatre or People’s History Museum to
give premises for such an event could be made now, we could ask for a Saturday
in February 2012 and see how we get on.
There are talented people involved in Queers Against the Cuts who are
experienced at putting on gigs.
A larger more diverse partnership could lead to a better fundraising potential, it is
interesting how the Made in Dagenham event has generated more and larger
donations from the trades union movement than the LGBT History Month
conference.
Kate Richardson
Manchester Trades Union Council
23rd February 2011
Comments from the Visitors Book
Initials Location Comment
JL Manchester Good - could have done with history of Clause 28
LG Manchester Good frisbee
KF Nottingham Inspiring
SK Germany Wonderful
JB Manchester Fantastic
JM Manchester Great event
GH Manchester Very interesting
GR Manchester interesting
JK Manchester v. interesting & revealing ! Ta
AE Manchester Interesting talk
AR Manchester Really important work. Thank you
DC Manchester v. interesting
TF Luton unique and vital record
RM Manchester really interesting & great guide !
FL Manchester moving, informative
PA Liverpool an inspiration for the struggle we need to fight now !
DH Marple well done Kate
MS Manchester Thanks
CJ Manchester Thanks for the leaflets
IC Halifax Excellent leaflets; great venue !
NH London lost history needs recording
SB Norfolk Great exhibition
MD Liverpool very pleased you got this together
GG London Great to see our heritage
TD Belfast Thanks
JP Manchester Great show
SB Liverpool Very good
MJ Northampton Good
SR Manchester Very Good
BF Manchester Very informative
DD
The Channel
Islands Very informative
LP Leamington Spa Important exhibition - wish we had more time
JG Stockport Thanks
LM Salford Interesting exhibition of LGBT history. Thank You !
RW Manchester Very interesting, informative
TC Bangor Great exhibition
JA Manchester Excellent
DH Salford Fantastic, very important
|
Reports of Recent Events 
