This is a timeline of notable events in the history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community in Manchester. 19th century 1880 The Manchester City Police raid a fancy dress ball which was taking place at the Temperance Hall in Hulme. 47 men were arrested and charged with soliciting and inciting each other to commit “improper actions”. 20th century 1940s early 1940s The Union pub, now The New Union, plays host to drag shows during World War II. They were popular with American troops stationed nearby. 1950s 1950s The Union starts to attract an LGBT clientele. 1952 Alan Turing is prosecuted for being in a relationship with another man. He dies by suicide in 1954. 1960s 1960s Manchester's gay scene is based in an area between Albert Square and Deansgate with pubs such as the Rockingham and Rouge being popular although The Union continues to be frequented by the gay community. 1964 The North West Homosexual Law Reform Committee is founded by Labour councillor Allan Horsfall to campaign for the recommendations of The Wolfenden Report to be brought into law. The first meeting is held in Manchester. Three years later, the partial decriminalisation of sex between men over the age of 21 took place. The North West branch of the national Homosexual Law Reform Committee became the national Campaign for Homosexual Equality in 1969. Rose Robertson sets up Parents Enquiry, the predecessor of FFLAG. 1970s 1973 The Manchester Gay Alliance is formed by the University's Lesbian & Gay Society, CHE, a lesbian group and transvestite transsexual group. 1975 2 January – The Manchester Gay Alliance opens the Manchester Gay Switchboard to provide support and information to callers. It originally operated in the basement of the University of Manchester. After receiving a council grant in 1978, the scheme found a new home on Bloom Street. By 1990, the switchboard teamed up with The Lesbian Link Helpline to form the Manchester Lesbian and Gay Switchboard. 1978 The first edition of The Mancunian Gay Magazine is published. 1980s 1984 Manchester City Council forms the Equal Opportunities Committee. The numerous equality posts created included a Gay Men's Officer and a Lesbian Officer, first occupied by Paul Fairweather and Maggie Turner respectively. 1985 Manchester Pride is born following a £1,700 grant from the Manchester City council to put on a two-week celebration, complete with a huge banner adorning Oxford Street. 1986 Europe's first purpose-built