The event, which was held at Black Dog NWS in Manchester, explored the development of trans and gay characters from script to screen.
Coronation Street Writers Damon Rochefort and Ben Tagoe, Coronation Street Actors Bruno Langley and Daniel Brocklehurst, former Coronation Street and Cucumber Actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, researcher and inspiration for Julie’s much-loved character Hayley – Annie Wallace and Cucumber Actress Bethany Black discussed the concept and development of gay and transgender characters in TV drama.
The panel discussed their own experiences portraying lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) characters on some of the nation’s favourite shows.
From Dan’s gay vicar and Julie’s role as the first transgender character on a British soap, to Annie and Bethany’s roles as trail blazing transgender actresses, the panel had the audience gripped with tales of their fun but, in Julie’s words ‘game changing’, involvement in changing perceptions of LGBT characters on prime time popular TV.
The Big Weekend
This weekend will see Manchester Pride’s The Big Weekend come to Manchester with a host of big names including Dannii Minogue, Texas, Union J and DJ Fresh set to perform alongside Lucy Spraggan, Atomic Kitten, the Shane Ritchie Band and many more.
The August Bank Holiday also sees the return of the vibrant Manchester Pride Parade, an integral part of the Manchester Pride Festival.
Sir Ian McKellen, star of The Lord of the Rings and X-Men, was announced as this years Parade Grand Marshal earlier this month. As Grand Marshal of the parade, Sir Ian will lead the parade through the streets of Manchester on Saturday 29 August.
The theme for the 2015 Manchester Pride Parade, a free event that is part of the wider Pride Festival, is Devotion, and the charity is calling for parade participants and attendees to celebrate and shout about who and what they are devoted to.
The culmination of the Big Weekend is the George House Trust Candlelit Vigil during which Sackville Gardens is turned into a sea of flickering candles as those lost to the HIV virus are remembered.
To find out more about Manchester Pride follow the charity on Twitter @manchesterpride or visit the website at manchesterpride.com. Tweet @ManchesterPride during the Big Weekend, using this year’s hashtag, #BIGWEEKEND
