Safety on Canal Street, homophobic bullying and major health issues affecting Manchester’s gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and trans community are to be debated in an LGBT Question Time-style event next week.
To commemorate LGBT History Month, Manchester City Council will hold its second annual LGBT Question Time at the town hall on Sunday February 23.
The debate will be an opportunity to discuss the issues facing the LGBT community today, while providing a chance to influence the decisions of organisations represented on the panel.
Stand-up comic and actor Kerry Leigh will chair the event, and panellists include representatives Manchester City Council, NHS Manchester, the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Lesbian & Gay Foundation and LGBT Youth North West.
Organisers are calling on Manchester’s LGBT community to attend and voice their opinions.
Outcomes from the discussion will feed into the Council’s planning to help improve the way they deliver services and develop policy.
Councillor Sue Murphy, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Events like this are the perfect opportunity for people to voice their concerns and with such an impressive panel.
“The debate will be a genuine opportunity to influence some of Manchester’s key organisations.”
LGBT Question Time in 2012 spurred a lively debate and discussed issues ranging from safety on Canal Street to homophobic bulling and also the major health issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people in Manchester.
This year’s question time hopes to cover an even broader set of issues, and the panel will also include a representative from the NHS, Executive Nurse and Director Craig Harris, who is on hand to discuss mental health issues.
LGBT Question Time is being run by Manchester City Council in partnership with Lesbian & Gay Foundation, the Police and Crime Commissioner, NHS Manchester and LGBT Youth North West.
Councillor Murphy said: “The success of last year’s Question Time showed how important it is to listen to the LGBT community and not simply assume we understand their priorities.”
Manchester LGBT Question Time will be held in the Banqueting Room, Manchester Town Hall on Sunday 23 February 12-2pm.
This is an open event but to register interest or submit a question for the panel in advance please email grahame.robertson (at) lgf.org.uk
Picture courtesy of Emiliano, with thanks.
