Newly released 2021 census data has revealed the sexual orientation of the UK’s population for the very first time – showing that 6.67% of Manchester’s population aged over 16 identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or other (LGB+).
In contrast, 84.61% of people in Manchester identify as straight or heterosexual.
Despite Manchester’s renown for its gay scene, the percentage of LGB+ people living in the city is less than areas such as London (10.32%), Brighton & Hove (10.73%), Norwich (7.32%), and Cambridge (7.53%).
However, Manchester’s LGB+ population is significantly higher than that of other large cities like Newcastle-upon-Tyne (5.05%) and Birmingham (3.01%).
Student-heavy areas like Fallowfield appear to have a larger LGB+ population than the wider city, but Piccadilly & Ancoats has the highest percentage of LGB+ residents – at 16.96%, it is also the fourth highest of all similarly sized areas in the country.
The correlation between student areas and a high LGB+ population is reflected across the country, with areas such as Broomhill & Lower Crookesmoor in Sheffield (10.75%) and Cathays South & Bute Park in Cardiff (11.39%) also scoring highly compared to their wider respective cities.
The census seems to suggest that LGB+ people, in general, live closer to central urban areas rather than rural districts. Areas further out from Manchester’s city centre tend to have a higher heterosexual population, such as East Didsbury (89.80%) and Moston West (88.97%).
The census also found that 1.02% of Manchester’s population aged 16 years and over had a different gender identity than their sex registered at birth, compared to just 0.49% in London.
Sonny Ashworth, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, has lived in Manchester for seven years.
He said: “I’m not surprised Manchester has one of the country’s biggest gay populations.
“I know people who moved to university here simply because it has such a vast LBGT+ scene.
“There’s always someone like you in the Village, I always feel safe here.”
Ben Thompson, who grew up in Manchester, also said that the city is a great place to live as an LGBTQ+ individual.
He said: “Manchester is a really good place to be LGBTQ+.
“You have the Gay Village of course, but even beyond that it’s a very gay friendly city.
“You have a lot in the way of music, art, and culture to enjoy.”
Featured image: Eleanor Storey
