The national campaign to find the nation’s favourite lesbian/gay novels came to Manchester, with The Big Gay Read launching at Manchester Central Library on Firday 26th August 2006 as part of Manchester Pride.

Hosted by Chloe Poems, the event featured a galaxy of national and local celebrities who championined their favourite queer book. Big Gay Read brochures, containing a recommended reading list of 20 innovative lesbian/gay novels plus voting forms were available in local libraries and other venues for people to get involved and decide for themselves or nominate a book of their choice.

As co-ordinator Libby Tempest explained, “Hundreds of ground breaking books capturing lesbian and gay experience have been published in recent decades – everything from tongue-in-cheek lesbian detectives to Booker prize winners. Novels that have entertained, educated and literally saved lives. Forget Desert Island; we want you to vote for your Closet Outing book!”

The Big Gay Read grew out of the lesbian and gay reading groups currently running in Manchester and Salford libraries, and followed on from the BBC’s Big Read. The event was co-ordinated by Commonword, Queer up North, Manchester, Salford and Blackpool libraries, and Time to Read.