Actor and historian explains why his walking tour fills him with Manchester Pride

Chris Hoyle is an actor, playwright, director and historian who is passionate about Manchester and the part it has played in standing up for marginalised people.

When he is not on stage, backstage or working on a TV show, he is a walking tour guide, showing visitors around Manchester and providing them with live insights and stories behind the buildings and the people that use to inhabit them.

This month Chris Hoyle is welcoming visitors who want to know more about Manchester’s rich LGBTQ+ history which goes from Canal Street and beyond and everyone is welcome.

We caught up with him to find out more.

 How did the Manchester LGBTQ+ Walking Tours begin?

The Rainbow Tiles were created back in 2003 for Euro-Pride and funded by The heritage Lottery Fund.

The tiles were designed by artist Mark Kennedy, the same artist that also made the brilliant tiles along the outside of Afflecks Palace.

A few have sadly been lost due to the regeneration of the city, but the majority are still intact and looking lovely. 

They were created to offer a walking trail to explore different queer historical Mancunian stories, to reflect, to remember and to celebrate.

Last year I was commissioned by CityCo to breath some fresh life into to the trail for visitors coming to Manchester for Pride and we are doing more walks this year. 

What has been the most surprising fact you have learned since being a guide on these walks?

There are quite a few surprising and fascinating historical nuggets, but I think the story of bricklayer, Henry Stokes has to be the best.

Henry was subject to Victorian newspaper sandal after his wife of twenty-two years claimed he was actually assigned a female gender at birth.

The tile for this story has sadly been lost during the regeneration of the Spinningfields area, however I still include it in the walk. I’m also surprised how little, Labour councillor, Allan Horsfall is celebrated and acknowledged.

I talk about two Alans on the walk, one incredibly well known with a statue in his honour in Sackville Gardens and one who certainly should have some acknowledgement for his contribution to the decriminalisation of homosexuality.

What is the funniest or strangest question you have been asked?

Last year when I did the walks, I was a bit shocked when someone on the tour in their twenties asked me why the owner of The New Union (Originally called The Union) had to go to prison.

They had no idea that homosexuality was once illegal. But that’s what this walk is about.

It’s okay if you don’t have a knowledge of history. Hopefully, I explain it in an unpretentious and entertaining way.

My first Manchester Pride was back in 1995, although it was called The Mardi Gras then and I’ve seen it take lots of many changes.

However, the whole reason for Pride around the world remains incredibly important. 

Why do you personally feel it is important for people to know about LGBTQ+ history in Manchester?

Around forty-thousand people come to the city each year to celebrate Pride, but how many of those people, young and old know about the city’s, and it’s people’s contribution to the LGBTQ+ movement? 

Manchester has an immense political and social history and no more than the city’s queer history.

History has never been more important to discover.

You can’t understand what is going on today if you don’t understand and learn about what happened yesterday.

Pride is a time to have a party.

It always has been, but partying was once political, and we should still acknowledge that and the people who have led the way for the LGBTQ+ community today. 

Lastly, why should people come along?

History doesn’t have to be boring. I understand that the thought of a two-hour history walk through the city centre of Manchester might not be for everyone, but I promise you won’t be bored.

Being Manchester and the unpredictable city centre sights and its people will also add to the theatre of it.

Haha! I’ve been doing history walking tours for a few years now and I love nothing more than letting my passion and enthusiasm for Manchester’s history take over people that come on them and inspire them to investigate about history more.

That is why I’ve launched my new platform, What’s the Story? To investigate, share and celebrate Greater Manchester’s incredible history.

I can combine my skills of being a playwright, actor and historian to make something educational, but entertaining too.

Surely, it’s also the perfect chat-up material for when you are at Pride, anyway.

I’d shag you if you knew some interesting facts about the places and streets we are partying in, but that’s just me. 

The Manchester LGBTQ+ Walking Tours with Chris Hoyle take place from 17^th – 21^st August and last for two hours.

You can book your ticket here

 And if you want to read more about Chris Hoyle’s walking tour, our writer Lily Houston will be pounding the kerbs with Chris next week and she will report back on the experience.