Tranuary

January 2023 marks the arrival of the new Manchester event Tranuary, a day-to-night festival by trans people for trans and non-binary folk.

Chosen for: Driving Diversity.

Over the last five years, the number of trans specific gatherings, safe spaces, club nights and performance events have increased in the UK. London Trans Pride, first held in 2019, was founded because a space that centred the needs of the trans community was much needed amidst rising UK transphobia. Like London events such as Them Fatale, it was intended as a joyful and celebratory space.

While Manchester got its first dedicated Trans Pride march in 2022, this year has ushered in a new event named Tranuary. Organised by an all-trans collective, Tranuary will be held at Manchester’s Soup. Like Homobloc – the queer-centric Manchester dance music festival held annually in November – Tranuary is intended to be a regular event bringing a new LGBTQIA+ cultural event to the north of England. Visitors can expect a whole day of programming in an intentional, dedicated space centring trans activists and artists – from workshops to screenings, and live performances to cabaret.

To kick off the day, there will be gender nonconforming life drawing and a trans performance workshop offered up by Mark Anthony. Later, Egg on Toast, DJ Soyboi and Glasglow selector Bonzai Bonner will DJ as part of a four-hour set to close the event.

There will also be performances curated by the producer and Local Action affiliate I. JORDAN. “This will be an opportunity to support, nurture and grow our creativity and create something unique in a space that is ours,” I. JORDAN said. “Trans and queer spaces are powerful and transformative, but there are not enough dedicated spaces that specifically allow artists to just create. We will be using the power of community to harness our creativity. I can’t wait to see what we make together.”

Taking that mission one step further, the event offers low-income and solidarity ticket prices, and has ensured the event is wheelchair accessible. If you’re based outside of Manchester, sustainable travel routes can be taken via train. And for accommodation, you can hit the LGBTQ+ friendly button on Airbnb.

Tranuary takes place at Soup, Manchester, on 28 January 2023.