THE attitudes and stigma towards sexual identity and the LGBTQIA+ community have come a long way in the last few decades. But, just how much more work is needed in the Twenties? Daniel Hopkins reports.

Areas of Bolton Town Centre have been transformed in recent weeks and months. But some of the changes aren’t due to the council regeneration masterplan- they are due to television shoots.

Le Mans Crescent has been closed on several occasions for filming of upcoming Channel 4 drama ‘Boys’, which is penned by the architect of the revival of Doctor Who, Russell T. Davies.

The show is set to chronicle the lives of three teenage boys in 1980s London, following their journey through rejection, prejudice and the AIDS epidemic.

Prejudice is something will be discussed in Harvey Kennedy’s upcoming sexual health talk in Bolton.

Harvey has been combatting stigma and homophobia through his work at the LGBT foundation in his role as sexual health coordinator for community engagement.

He said: “Many may remember the shock and horror associated with the HIV AIDS epidemic of the 80s.

“It associated HIV and AIDS with sickness, death and dying. One of the things we are up against with the LGBT community is stigma. Stigma breeds avoidance, fear, anger and division across communities and families due to misinformation, lack of sexual health education, self-pity, and internalised HIV-phobia.

Harvey’s talk is hoping to change the negative narrative and as part of that, redefine what it means to live with HIV by promoting sexual health and wellbeing education in communities who may be less up to speed with the latest developments in preventive medicine.

He hopes that his talk will explore and help members of the LGBT community in Bolton understand how certain stigma relates to and affects them- such as HIV infection and simply being a part of the community.

He added: “Bolton, like many boroughs on the outskirts of Greater Manchester is one of many historically marginalised communities that has lagged behind in their development of information and services for LGBTQ+ and non-binary people.

“One of the barriers Bolton faces is HIV stigma. Other barriers include homophobia and a lack of education around sexual health. Groups such as Bolton Rainbow Community and Bolton LGBT+ groups have a lot of work to fight against stigma and homophobia by creating a safe space for members of the LGBT Community to come and feel accepted.”

The Bolton Rainbow community group has often been at the forefront of community support in recent years and their co-chair, Luke Page, knows a lot about prejudice against the LGBT+ community- he’s been stabbed for being a part of it.

The group, which started as a social gathering, evolved into various projects including those related to hate crime and museum displays.

Luke said: “Unfortunately there is quite a lot of stigma around the LGBT community and people that aren’t LGBT don’t have people that they can ask questions about things. So, they just start assuming or start Googling.

“Bolton itself is brilliant in terms of LGBT in terms of how far its come. I am originally from Bury and I was stabbed for being gay there.

“It was a small pub that is no longer there. I went in with friends many years ago and I was very flamboyant in how I dressed and my mannerism.

“As I left, three lads set upon me and I ended up stabbed in the right arm- I think if I hadn’t moved they would have got my body.

“That hurt, but being spat on in the street was humiliating. I was holding my partners hand and a person walked past and spat in my face.”

“Since moving to Bolton, I’ve never had any trouble. I have been lucky that I have been on a turn where the world has changed- people have been through far worst.”

For more information on Luke and the group’s work, visit ‘Bolton Rainbow Community’ on Facebook.

Harvey’s talk is being held on Thursday, January 23 at Bolton CVS, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. All people from the LGBT community are welcome, along with allies from other communities.