Local LGBTQIA+ History

The Manchester University Settlement was founded in Ancoats, in 1895, with the aim of assisting communities to help themselves. At the outset this was achieved primarily through an inspirational form of education consisting of lectures, debates, concerts and classes, but gradually the emphasis shifted towards social services. Two extraordinary women involved with the Settlement were Esther Roper and Eva Gore-Booth (pictured below). Esther Roper (1868–1938) was a suffragist and campaigner who fought for equal employment and voting rights for women in Britain. Eva Gore-Booth (1870-1926) was a poet and suffragist whose poetry often reinvented folk tales or classic literary works, foregrounded women’s voices and included stories that displayed love between women. The two women developed a close professional and romantic partnership.

In May 1861, Thomas Greene, appeared at Salford Police Court accused of failing to pay debts. This was not the first time Greene had been charged with this offence, and it was his reluctance to pay what he owed to a tailor for a suit of clothes that had led to his recent arrest. He was committed to the New Bailey and after being encouraged to take a bath it was revealed that he ‘turned out to be a woman’ not a man. Newspaper coverage details the story of how he came to dress and live as a man – after being dressed as a page whilst in the service of a lady, and then preferring this style of dress he continued to live as a man. He worked as a hooker and stitcher in a mill and was happily married to a woman.

Tute’s Minstrels was a popular act consisting of comedians and musicians who travelled across the country and abroad in the 1870s -90s. Newspaper articles also show that one of the members of the troupe – female impersonator Ernest Parkinson – attended the Hulme Temperance Hall ball in 1880. He was arrested in female clothing. He is listed on several adverts for Tute’s Minstrels as a solo harp player. According to research carried out by Thomas McGrath, Ernest John Parkinson was a famous female impersonator who had toured with the Minstrels. After his arrest in 1880 the census of 1881 shows that he was living at home with his parents and servants in Bury. His occupation is recorded as ‘comedian’. In 1891 his occupation is recorded then as ‘actor’

In February 2025 Qweer shorts took to the stage with five specially commissioned pieces inspired by the research on the above stories.

What’s in the Closet?

Written by Ellie Harrington

Directed by Stewart Campbell

Actors – James Sprague and John O’Neill

Very Well Tailored

Written by Jack So

Movement Direction – Yandass Ndlovu

Performers – Yandass Ndlovu, Zayn Rose, Jack So

Clothes Maketh the Man

Written by K.C. Finn

Directed by Adam Cachia

Actors – Nicole Evans, Julian Gray and John Thacker

The Trial of Thomas Greene

Written and Performed by Hadfield Ellis

The Body of the Soul

Written by Julia Rogers

Directed by Leni Murphy

Actors – Freya Simone and Terri Jade-Donovan