Queer as Folk + Introduction (15)
Screen, Sunday 28 Jun 2026, 15:00
- ends at 17:36
Queer as Folk was a 1999 British television series that chronicled the lives of three gay men living in Manchester's gay village around Canal Street. Initially running for eight episodes, a two-part follow up was shown in 2000. It was written by Russell T Davies and produced by Red Production Company for Channel 4. In 2010, The Guardian ranked Queer as Folk at number 13 in their list of "The Top 50 TV Dramas of All Time" we are delighted to screen 3 classic episodes from the series with introduction from Paul Burston, author and founder of the Polari Prize, and long time LGBTQUI+ activist.
Series 1, Episode 1, originally aired on 23rd Feb 1999:
Stuart and Vince, stalwarts of the Manchester gay scene, are out on the pull in Canal Street.
Series 1, Episode 5, originally aired on 23rd March 1999:
Stuart makes some new friends, while Nathan’s behaviour makes Hazel furious and Janice desperate.
Series 1, Final Episode, originally aired 13th April 1999:
Vince is petrified that Rosalie has revealed his secret. Stuart experiences rejection for the first time. And Cameron declares his love to Vince.
We are delighted to welcome Paul Burston to introduce this special TV Gem screening for Pride Month. Paul is the author of six novels and six non-fiction books and the editor of two short story collections. He hosts the award-winning LGBTQ+ literary salon Polari and is the founder of The Polari Prize book awards for LGBTQ+ writers.
In 2016 he featured in the British Council’s Global List of ‘33 visionary people promoting freedom, equality and LGBT rights around the world.’ His recent memoir We Can Be Heroes was described by Russell T. Davies as “brutally honest”. His writing has appeared in many publications including Attitude, The Guardian, Time Out and The Times. He has also written and presented documentaries for Channel 4.
Series 1, Episode 1, originally aired on 23rd Feb 1999:
Stuart and Vince, stalwarts of the Manchester gay scene, are out on the pull in Canal Street.
Series 1, Episode 5, originally aired on 23rd March 1999:
Stuart makes some new friends, while Nathan’s behaviour makes Hazel furious and Janice desperate.
Series 1, Final Episode, originally aired 13th April 1999:
Vince is petrified that Rosalie has revealed his secret. Stuart experiences rejection for the first time. And Cameron declares his love to Vince.
We are delighted to welcome Paul Burston to introduce this special TV Gem screening for Pride Month. Paul is the author of six novels and six non-fiction books and the editor of two short story collections. He hosts the award-winning LGBTQ+ literary salon Polari and is the founder of The Polari Prize book awards for LGBTQ+ writers.
In 2016 he featured in the British Council’s Global List of ‘33 visionary people promoting freedom, equality and LGBT rights around the world.’ His recent memoir We Can Be Heroes was described by Russell T. Davies as “brutally honest”. His writing has appeared in many publications including Attitude, The Guardian, Time Out and The Times. He has also written and presented documentaries for Channel 4.