Sparkle - The National Transgender Charity

We invite you to September's Sparkle Sanctuary 🏳️‍⚧️⁠
⁠
📅 Sunday 27th September
🕘️ 12.00pm - 4.00pm⁠
📍 The Proud Place, Manchester⁠
⁠
Sparkle Sanctuary is facilitated by trans, non-binary & gender diverse people for our wonderful community. All ages are welcome.⁠
⁠
What else can you expect:⁠
🧊 Icebreakers for newcomers or those who want to meet new people
📖 Q***r Book Swap - bring a book, take a book, or both!
🎨 Crafts & colouring⁠ - you are welcome to bring your own projects too⁠
👜 Tote bag decorating⁠
🎲 Board games⁠
☕️ Chilled conversations⁠
🥘 Hot meal & soft drinks provided⁠
⁠
Accessibility information:⁠
- The Proud Place is accessible by wheelchairs including power chairs⁠
- There are gender neutral toilets, including an accessible toilet⁠
- A quiet sensory space is available for those who might need to decompress⁠
- Masks and hand sanitiser available⁠
- The Proud Place is a sober venue⁠
- Friendly volunteers on hand to help all afternoon⁠
- Different food options available, including vegetarian, vegan, meat, and gluten free⁠
- Sanctuary is a nut-free event⁠
⁠
Make sure you grab a free ticket - tinyurl.com/sep-sanctuary
⁠
***rBookSwap

Sparkle Sanctuary - this Sunday! 🏳️‍⚧️⁠
⁠
📅 Sunday 23rd August⁠
🕘️ 12.00pm - 4.00pm⁠
📍 The Proud Place, Manchester⁠
⁠
Sparkle Sanctuary is facilitated by trans, non-binary & gender diverse people for our wonderful community. All ages are welcome.⁠
⁠
What else can you expect:⁠
🪧 Placard making for Manchester Village Pride - with The Placard People (Lazypins)⁠
🎨 Crafts & colouring⁠ - you are welcome to bring your own projects too⁠
👜 Tote bag decorating⁠
🎲 Board games⁠
☕️ Chilled conversations⁠
❤️ Chat to us about volunteering⁠
🥘 Hot meal & soft drinks provided⁠
⁠
Accessibility information:⁠
- The Proud Place is accessible by wheelchairs including power chairs⁠
- There are gender neutral toilets, including an accessible toilet⁠
- A quiet sensory space is available for those who might need to decompress⁠
- Masks and hand sanitiser available⁠
- The Proud Place is a sober venue⁠
- Friendly volunteers on hand to help all afternoon⁠
- Different food options available, including vegetarian, vegan, meat, and gluten free⁠
- Sanctuary is a nut-free event⁠
⁠
Make sure you grab a free ticket - tinyurl.com/sanctuary-aug
⁠

Volunteers needed 📢🏳️‍⚧️

Our friends at have launched their Trans Without Abuse Community Ambassador Program.

They are seeking trans and non-binary folks who live in Cheshire.

Full training will be given by their service lead.

If you're part of the community or know someone who is and would be interested, please follow the QR code or email: [email protected] with the subject line: Community Ambassador

We invite you to August's Sparkle Sanctuary 🏳️‍⚧️⁠
⁠
📅 Sunday 23rd August⁠
🕘️ 12.00pm - 4.00pm⁠
📍 The Proud Place, Manchester⁠
⁠
Sparkle Sanctuary is facilitated by trans, non-binary & gender diverse people for our wonderful community. All ages are welcome.⁠
⁠
What else can you expect:⁠
🪧 Placard making for Manchester Village Pride - with The Placard People (Lazypins)⁠
🎨 Crafts & colouring⁠ - you are welcome to bring your own projects too⁠
👜 Tote bag decorating⁠
🎲 Board games⁠
☕️ Chilled conversations⁠
❤️ Chat to us about volunteering⁠
🥘 Hot meal & soft drinks provided⁠
⁠
Accessibility information:⁠
- The Proud Place is accessible by wheelchairs including power chairs⁠
- There are gender neutral toilets, including an accessible toilet⁠
- A quiet sensory space is available for those who might need to decompress⁠
- Masks and hand sanitiser available⁠
- The Proud Place is a sober venue⁠
- Friendly volunteers on hand to help all afternoon⁠
- Different food options available, including vegetarian, vegan, meat, and gluten free⁠
- Sanctuary is a nut-free event⁠
⁠
Make sure you grab a free ticket - tinyurl.com/sanctuary-aug
⁠

Just a few of our fantastic volunteers at the Sparkle Weekend 2026! 🏳️‍⚧️

Thank you to everyone who supported the event - whether it was setting up, litter picking, running the stage, fundraising, greeting visitors, event running, supporting the Sanctuary Pop-Up, or taking lovely photos like these!

We couldn't have done it without you ❤️

Photos by

***rJoy

Our friends at Salford Pride are hosting this event: Holding Space in Solidarity

Our community has been through a difficult few weeks.

Following the attack at Berlin Pride, we’re creating a space for our LGBTQIA+ community to come together, connect and heal — and hopefully find a little peace surrounded by community. ❤️

Come as you are.

🍽️ Share some food
🌈 Make friendship bracelets
💌 Write letters of love and solidarity to our community in Berlin
💬 Meet and talk with others
❤️ Or simply spend some time with community

There’s no pressure to talk or take part in anything. This space is yours.

📅 20th August 2026
⏰ 6.30pm–8.30pm
📍 Islington Mill, Salford
🎟️ FREE

Book your free place: tinyurl.com/solidarity-event

Together, we hold space. Together, we stand in solidarity. 🏳️‍🌈

Research Request 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

If you are an LGBTQIA+ parent/guardian with a child in the ADHD assessment process, we want to hear from you for a Northumbria University PhD research project! You'll be asked to tell your story in a relaxed interview format - either in person or online.

The experiences of navigating the ADHD pathway as a q***r family are under-researched, and they matter.

Scan the QR code or email [email protected] for more information

The EHRC Code of Practice came into effect yesterday (5th August 2026)

The EHRC’s new guidance came into effect yesterday. While this Code of Practice is guidance rather than legally binding, this is still a scary and uncertain time for the community. If services adopt this guidance, it would cause significant harm and barriers to the trans and gender diverse community.

Sparkle remains committed to supporting our community with the same care, dignity, and respect we always have. To anyone feeling uncertain or affected by this news: you are not alone. Stay strong, stay connected, and know that your rights under the law remain intact.

For those seeking support or advice, we’re here for you. Reach out, lean on your community, and remember; your identity is valid, and you deserve to live safely and authentically.

For businesses and organisations: if you’re seeking clarity on how to create inclusive environments or navigate this guidance in a way that upholds dignity and respect for all, we’re happy to offer our expertise. Get in touch to discuss how we can support you in fostering a workplace or service where everyone feels valued.

*What does this mean for trans people?*
- Trans people can still use the services that are right for you, including single s*x facilities
- There is no criminal law prohibiting trans people from using gendered facilities which reflect their gender identity
- Service providers cannot ask you to “prove” your s*x
- Trans people are still protected from discrimination under the Equality Act
- We would encourage you to refer to TransActual’s “Know Your Rights” resource

*Sparkle Sanctuary*
Join us to meet likeminded folks in a relaxed environment. Sparkle Sanctuary is facilitated by trans, non-binary & gender diverse people for our wonderful community. All ages are welcome.⁠

August’s Sanctuary will take place on Sunday 23rd August, 12pm-4pm at The Proud Place, Manchester. This month, you can expect placard making, tote bag decorating, board games, chilled conversations, and a hot meal.

See more details and book your free ticket at:

tinyurl.com/sanctuary-aug

The amazing Bollyq***r at the Sparkle Weekend 2026!

Their high energy performance was brilliant to watch, and got the crowd dancing too!

Bollyq***r is the UK’s first and only all LGBTQIA+ Bollywood performance troupe 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Photos by Keiran 📸

***rJoy ***r

Walk with us at the Manchester Village Pride Parade - Saturday 29th August! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Join Sparkle supported by The Placard People, as we celebrate the beauty and unity of our gender diverse community and allies. All ages welcome, with children needing to be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Borrow a placard, or you are welcome to bring your own🪧

Sign up for your free ticket on Eventbrite, at spkl.uk/parade