A new podcast celebrating the links between United, the city of Manchester and the LGBTQ+ community is available to listen to now, across our official club platforms.
To mark Manchester Pride, which was celebrated during the last weekend of August, MUTV’s Sam Homewood and Zarah Connolly delved into why Manchester is such a welcoming and inclusive city.
Our hosts were guided through the city by Josh from Free Manchester Walking Tours, learning more about its history and the role it has played in the LGBTQ+ story.
Did you know that Manchester had the UK’s first lesbian mayor and boasts the second-oldest gay pub in the country?
How about the remarkable story of Foo Foo Lammar, the popular drag act who lived in the city and was good friends with our own legendary former boss, Sir Alex Ferguson?
You’ll learn about all this and more in Josh’s knowledgeable guide, which also explains why Manchester has always sought to welcome visitors with open arms, wherever they are from in the world and whatever their identity.
Sam and Zarah also meet with James Bull and Sam Danson from the Rainbow Devils, United’s official LGBTQ+ supporters’ club, as they explain their relationship with the club and the amazing work they do.
“I think it’s important that there’s a space for LGBT fans to come together,”
said James.
“There is a good kind of community sense of spirit, I think, at Old Trafford. Every part of Manchester is in that stadium.
“You know the stadium fanbase is as diverse as the city is.”
“When Rainbow Devils came along, that was a big turning point for me, because it was the first time I was sat in a pub with a bunch of people and I realised I wasn’t hiding who I was,”
added Sam.
“I wasn’t changing my personality or avoiding telling them where I went out on a night out last week or something and that felt really powerful actually.
“Regardless of their situation – if they’re LGBT or they’re not sure if they’re LGBT or they’re just wanting a supportive, inclusive group to go along to and get involved with, I think it’s a great thing to exist.”
Players from both our men’s and women’s teams also showed their love for the community.
“I’ve lived in Manchester for a while now and I live pretty near the city and it is a very welcoming community,”
said Leah Galton. “It’s a city where everyone is pretty much themselves.
“No-one looks at you in a funny way and everyone just expresses themselves, which is the nicest part about it.”
Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof and Marcus Rashford – who, of course, hails from Manchester himself – also made their voices heard.
See what they said and learn more about Manchester’s role by listening to the special ‘United and Proud’ podcast now, in your United App and on ManUtd.com.