Calls for a cruising tolerance zone in Manchester's canal district

David from Outrage explains why there should be a cruising tolerance zone in the Ancoats area and discusses some of the issues.

Cruising isn't all about sex. For men who are excluded from the commercial gay scene or in the closet it is a way to meet other gay and bi men.

Gay men have been meeting around Manchester's canals probably for hundreds of years. In the nineteenth century, working on a canal boat may even have been a preferred career for those who wanted to escape their home town and meet others.

Perhaps it's no coincidence that Manchester's two oldest gay bars are next to Canal Street? The Rembrandt was formerly known as the Ogden Arms and appears on the 1849 Ordnance survey map.

However, in recent years, there has been intense pressure from newly-arrived apartment owners, the police and city council in an attempt to destroy Ancoats as a meeting place. Even local charity the LGF is 'on message' with this, printing dire warnings and goes as far as to suggest that people should contact the police for further information!

Although few people would support men blatantly having sex in public in view of others, they have the same right as anyone else to meet and chat (and yes even kiss!) wherever they want.

Read more about cruising and the issues in my blog post on the subject.

Duration: 3 mins 45 secs

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