The LGBT Foundation Archive, located at Archives+ at Manchester Central Library, includes materials relating to our organisational history as well as the wider history of LGBTQ+ communities in Greater Manchester. The archive also includes an oral histories collection and copies of local, national and international LGBTQ+ publications including Attitude Magazine, Boyz, Diva, Gay Times, Gay News, The Pink Paper, Out (1997-2009), Poz (1994-1998) and a complete collection of Outnorthwest magazine, a free LGBTQ+ bi-monthly lifestyle, health and listings magazine (2000-2014).

To view items from the LGBT Foundation Archive:

  • Locate the catalogue number for the items you wish to view using Greater Manchester Lives - useful search terms include LGBT, LGBT Foundation and LGF (we were formerly The Lesbian and Gay Foundation from 2000-2015).
  • Log your viewing request via this Archives+ form.

The archive is maintained by a small team of volunteers from LGBT Foundation's Pride in Ageing programme. If you wish to make a donation to the archive or have any questions please contact [email protected]

NEW Oral Histories Collection

A series of 21 oral histories from LGBTQ+ communities have been added to the LGBT Foundation Archive in October 2022. A playlist of clips from some of the recordings are now available to stream via the Archives+ Soundcloud.

Our next event: LGBT History Month Archive Handling Table

When? Thursday 16th February 11am-1pm

Where? Ground Floor, Manchester Central Library

Who? Open To All!

Drop in to Manchester Central Library this LGBT History Month to see items from the library’s LGBTQ+ collections which illustrate our rich history of local activism and community organising in Manchester and beyond. Items will be specially selected to mark the 20th anniversary of the end of Section 28 in England and Wales, a law which prohibited the “promotion of homosexuality” by local authorities.

If you're inspired by the items in the archive and wish to get involved in community organising yourself, our free guide to Community Organising is available to download here

https://lgbt.foundation/communityorganisers

Further information about the LGBT Foundation Archive at Archives+, which is run by volunteers from the Pride in Ageing programme, can be found here https://lgbt.foundation/prideinageing/lgbt-foundation-archive

For any questions about this event please email [email protected].

For LGBT Foundation's other events please head to lgbt.foundation/events

Other LGBTQ+ collections at Manchester Central Library

Manchester Central Library is home to a wide range of LGBTQ+ archive materials relating to various aspects of LGBTQ+ life in the area. Their holdings include posters for local LGBTQ+ events, campaigns and groups, as well as Manchester City Council publications on topics such as LGBTQ+ housing. For more information on the collections click here to go to their website.