The forbidden Hulme Drag Ball of 1880 that was raided by police | Manchester News

As thousands head into Manchester this bank holiday weekend for Pride events, a local historian has gone back in time to see what life was like for LGBTQI+ people during Victorian times.

In September 1880, a group hired Temperance Hall in the Hulme area of Manchester for what they said was the annual “Pawnbrokers’ Assistants” party.

Anyone in the know, though, was aware that if they whispered the password “sister” to the doorman who was dressed as a nun, they would be allowed into a secret drag ball.

The party was raided by police, with all 47 attendees arrested, fined, outed and publicly shamed over what a detective called “grotesque dancing”.

Mr Hoyle said drag balls were quite common in Victorian society.

“There was lots of fluidity at that time as well – not just within sexuality but within gender,” he told the ‘s Hidden Manchester programme.

“There’s lots of descriptions about what went on there.

“There were different rooms where one or two of them went off… they were doing really raucous dances!”

On the night of the Hulme Drag Ball, detective Jerome Caminada received an anonymous tip-off.

Even though the ball’s organisers had tried to conceal their plans, the police officer was determined to find out what was going on.

Caminada climbed on to an outhouse next to the hall and managed a look inside through an uncovered window.

He called for back-up officers who stormed the hall.

The venue was full of men, half of whom wearing women’s clothes.

All were arrested.

Mr Hoyle said the legal case against the 47 men ultimately collapsed, largely because the offence of “gross indecency” – often used to prosecute LGBTQI+ people in Victorian England – was not introduced until 1885.

Mr Hoyle said: “There was nothing that [the authorities] could do to charge these men, because what were they actually doing?

“They were just wearing women’s clothing, but how could they prove it? They just had no proof (of any criminal actions).”

Despite the lack of charges, the men were all fined and had their personal details published by a voracious media.

Mr Hoyle said: “Victorian society was quite similar to where we are now – they loved scandals, they loved gossiping and tabloids, and actually humiliating people.”

During the last century-and-a-half, Manchester has fostered its now-thriving queer and drag culture.

Stars like Cheddar Gorgeous, Anna Phylactic, Liquorice Black and Danny Beard have all emerged from the scene.

Mr Hoyle said they owed a lot to those who came before them.

Today’s generation, he said, should remember that Pride is still about fighting for LGBTQI+ rights, as well as all of the celebrations and parties.

“There’s so much work to be done within the community,” he added.