Timeline of LGBT+ History for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire
1997 – The Forum
LGB Forum Logo as published in Community Newsletters
The history of the North Staffordshire Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Community Forum (often referred to as “the Forum” and later the “Rainbow Forum”) began in late 1997 as a community – led movement to provide a collective political and social voice for the region’s LGB people.
Origins and Early Years (1997–1998)
The idea for the forum grew out of a public meeting in late September 1997 arranged by G-Mhap leaders Niall McGrogan and Mark Reedman. McGrogan believed that achieving health equality for gay men was impossible without a “strong, healthy and safe community”. At this meeting of 40 people, it was suggested that Mike Wolfe organize a group to develop a community forum to raise the community’s profile, fight for rights, and assist local groups.
The Forum’s early mission was to provide a public profile for the community—countering the image of a “secret problem”—and to influence local decision-making in areas like health, housing, and leisure. The first open public meeting was held at The Piccadilly Project on 19 November 1997. By early 1998, the Forum had achieved a high degree of visibility, famously “coming out” in The Sentinel to challenge discriminatory policing and the use of CCTV to monitor gay men.
Key Early Achievements:
- Grant Funding: The Forum’s steering group provided essential support to new community groups, such as a £100 start-up grant for the region’s first lesbian and bisexual women’s football team.
- National Lobbying: In 1998, the Forum voted unanimously to lobby local MPs to reduce the age of consent to 16, successfully gaining support from most local representatives.
- Constitutional Development: By its first birthday in October 1998, the Forum had established a formal constitution, a bank account, and achieved charitable status.
The Forum and the Rainbow Charter (1999)
In July 1999, the organization rebranded as simply “The Forum” to create a name that was more memorable than its original title. The year was marked by two landmark achievements:
- The Rainbow Charter: Officially launched on 17 September 1999 at the City Museum’s Forum Theatre, this document served as North Staffordshire’s first blueprint for lesbian and gay rights. It addressed critical issues such as healthcare, housing, and “queer bashing,” receiving formal backing from the Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police and the City Council.
- The Rainbow Experience: In October 1999, the Forum coordinated the region’s first week-long celebration of LGB life. Events included a theatre trip to La Cage Aux Folles, historical “Queerwalks,” and a party featuring national celebrity Michael Cashman.
Transition to the Rainbow Forum and Political Visibility (2000–2003)
By October 2000, the organization was frequently referred to as the Rainbow Forum. This period saw the Forum receive a significant financial boost through a grant from Robbie Williams’ “Give it Sum” fund, which supported the expansion of its community work.
The Forum’s political influence reached a peak on 18 October 2002, when its former chair, Mike Wolfe, was elected Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, a moment seen as an inspiration that showed sexuality was not a barrier to public office.
However, 2003 brought a “wake-up call” regarding local hostility. Plans for the city’s first Pride parade on 10 May 2003 were regretfully postponed following a surge of media prejudice and safety concerns from community members “fearful of homophobic attack”.
Evolution into the LGBT Network (2005)
In 2005, the organization reached its next phase of development. Adopting a new constitution, the Rainbow Forum evolved into the LGBT Network. The Network was established to provide a unified voice for the community to consult with statutory agencies while continuing the Forum’s legacy of supporting local subgroups like the Panthers Badminton Group and Sanctuary Stoke. This evolution eventually led to the 2010 establishment of the Polari Lounge and the charity’s continued representation of the community until its closure in 2013.
Copyright Notice
News clippings in this post were compiled by Andrew Colclough from various archives as part of his personal research into local LGBT+ history and are shared here for educational purposes on the basis of fair personal/non commercial use. Copyright, where applicable, remains with the original publishers. Photographs are believed to be in the public domain and sources are credited where possible – please contact us if any further permissions or acknowledgments are required. All original text is © Andrew Colclough. Thank you!