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‘Equality, Everywhere’: Manchester joins 34 countries for fight against homophobia in LGBT fundraiser

By Edward Roberts

Manchester will unite with 34 cities across the world for a global LGBT event on Friday against homophobia demanding ‘equality everywhere’.

Artists and musicians will show their support for the LGBT community to raise money for charity AllOut with a techno party combined with a building-wide art exhibition at Islington Mill, Salford.

Several local DJs will join the event including Bohemian Grove and LGBT favourite, Trash-O-Rama.

All artwork being displayed promises to be a ‘personal response’ to issues of inequality affecting Manchester with pieces from  Dr. Me on display.

The artists explained: “Being involved in something like this is super important to us. It’s still totally baffling that in 2013 we need to do things like this, you’d think that people would have realised by now that people are just people regardless of sexual orientation, race, and religion.”

Artist Rosanne Robertson says the format of her art will demonstrate her view on equality.

“I will amplify everyday objects, instruments and implements and build into a looped composition with vocals,” she said.

“I have chosen this format as I believe the live art space to be an important one and related directly to freedom of speech and expression.”

Event organisers are optimistic that the event will help celebrate diversity not only across Manchester but across the globe.

AllOut is a charity committed to building a global movement for love and equality. Their aim is ‘to give people everywhere the ability to help win equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in every country in the world’.

The charity campaigns against the 76 countries where it is a crime to be gay. More than 1.8million people have subscribed to the movement online.

The event follows the success of last week’s Enough is Enough! campaign that saw leading LGBT groups meet in Manchester in a bid to tackle homophobic legislation in Russia.

Changes in recent Russian laws have made it illegal to distribute pro-gay propaganda and outbursts of violence against the LGBT community have erupted since.

While Manchester has actively protested against the changes in Russian law, the event organisers want to make clear that other countries also needed to be considered.

The event takes place at Islington Mill, Salford on Friday September 13. The exhibition begins at 6pm and music will last until 2am. Entry is free and contributions are welcomed.

Image courtesy of Lynn Friedman via Flickr, with thanks.

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