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Ballad of Harry Stokes

Ballads of the life of trans man Harry Stokes were hot gossip in 19th century Manchester. Annie Wallace (Hollyoaks) looks at what made Harry’s life so interesting to Victorians.

Ballads of the life of trans man Harry Stokes were hot gossip in 19th century Manchester. Annie Wallace (Hollyoaks) looks at what made Harry’s life so interesting to Victorians.

By the 90s the LGBT+ party scene in Manchester was famous enough to be known as Gaychester – but why did Manchester become known for its queer community?

Each episode of In This Place: Gaychester looks at a different aspect of the city’s queer history.

If you’re in Manchester, you can use this podcast as a walking tour and visit the locations spoken about.

Head to Spinningfields near The John Rylands Library to see what the area of Manchester Harry lived in looks like today.

Presenter: Annie Wallace
Producers: Robert Beck, Jo Deahl and Jo Newsholme
Editors: Nicky Edwards and Sam Turner

Available now

16 minutes

Podcast