Two husbands are “proud” to be bringing their LGBTQ+ social to the city.
Marc Geoffrey and his partner Luke are the brains behind Gay City Bowlers - an inclusive ten-pin bowling group that started on a whim. The group began in 2017 as a way for the couple to meet like-minded people when they first moved to Manchester.
Half a decade later, the society has become so successful it hosts monthly events in Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol. Now the couple are hoping to find the same success in the city with Liverpool’s LGBTQ+ community.
READ MORE: Pride in Liverpool to be delivered in 'unique way' for the first time
Marc, who is from Yorkshire but now living in Manchester, told the ECHO: “We had a good turnout for the first event with 17 people and so we knew we had to do it again. We aren't great bowlers ourselves but we decided to give it a name and it has been growing for nearly six years now.
“To us, it felt like something different to do than going to a gay pub. It has become a tremendous thing and I am so proud of it. There is some friendly and healthy competition between our regulars but really it is about socialising and meeting new people - the bowling almost becomes secondary in that aspect.”
Marc, a catering manager, hopes it will offer the community a chance to come together outside of an alcohol-fuelled night.
He added: “There’s a lot of people who like to be competitive but don’t have the fitness levels to go play rugby or don’t want to put a kit on and go outside. So bowling is something that covers all abilities and our members range from 19 to 60-yeards-old. We have trans and non-binary members and it’s exciting to see an increase in the number of women coming.”
Having travelled to two international bowling tournaments -Stockholm and Berlin - the Gay City Bowlers will be hosting the first LGBT+ European ten-pin bowling tournament in Manchester, with Liverpool members being offered the chance to compete.
The event for Liverpool’s LGBTQ+ community will happen at Lane 7, Clayton Square in the city centre. Guests are encouraged to arrive at 7 pm on Wednesday, July 12, to mingle before 7:30 pm when the first game starts.
Tickets can be bought online for the 18+ only event and afterwards, the group will be continuing the night at the Pride Quarter’s Lisbon Pub. You can keep up to date with the group on Instagram @gaycitybowlers.
