We’re celebrating LGBTQ+ history month loud and proud this February with a special, free exhibition celebrating some absolutely fabulous drag queens from the North. Launching this week, the exhibition begins at the Tib Street entrance and trails up the iconic rainbow stairwell and will run from 6th - 28th February.

The exhibition has been created to celebrate the second edition of Manchester-based publication HEADS Magazine, entitled ‘The Queens’. The collection will showcase 15 of the UK’s most famously flamboyant Drag Queens, all of whom hail from the North of England. The images, taken by HEADS Magazine’s founder, Manchester based photographer Liam Heeley, will be on display across Afflecks’ famous Tib Street entrance rainbow stairwell, a space which has naturally evolved into an area of the emporium to celebrate LGBTQ+ activity.  The stunning, vibrant photographs include portraits of local icons Lady Bushra and Bailey J Mills. 

To launch the exhibition and magazine a special and fabulous event is taking place at Afflecks after dark on 1st February as the famous emporium is transformed into one big celebration of drag with a host of spellbinding Queens sashaying and slaying the evening away for guests, who will also get to see the premier of these incredible images for the first time. There’ll also be pop up shops from the Gay Pride Shop and Animaid Cafe. Tickets are £10, with 50% of the ticket sales being donated to Manchester Pride’s Charity fund. 

HEADS Magazine was founded in July 2022, launching their first magazine edition celebrating 30 of the most renowned creatives in Manchester. HEADS Magazine’s ambition is to champion a new group of talented artists. 

AJ Martyn, GM at Afflecks commented:
“We are delighted to be hosting this special event and exhibition as we celebrate LGBTQ+ History month. Afflecks has long been a safe and celebratory haven for the LGBTQ+ community which is something we’re immensely proud of. This exhibition celebrates that and in particular are fabulous network of Drag Queens based here in the North, who are also a key part of our Affllecks family/culture”

Liam Heeley commented:
“We’re delighted to be hosting our second HEADS Magazine launch at Afflecks. Our magazine is about celebrating independence, authenticity and creativity and so Afflecks provides the perfect place to debut these incredible portraits. Please join for what will be a fabulous evening as well as checking the exhibition which will be on display for the whole month of Feb at Afflecks. 

The exhibition is free to enter and is open to the public from 6th February until the end of February.