The death of a 16-year-old homeless boy in Manchester 30 years ago sparked a charity that has since helped thousands of LGBT+ young people. Albert Kennedy died after falling from a multi-storey car park in April 1989, amid a climate of widespread homophobia.
An inquest recorded a verdict of misadventure, but the exact circumstances remain unclear. Kennedy had been drinking and taken LSD with a friend, who claimed they fled from 'queerbashers'. The teenager had been bullied for being gay and frequently ran away from a children's home in Eccles.
In the wake of his death, foster parent Cath Hall organised a meeting in Manchester Town Hall in July 1989. Just 20 people attended, but it led to the creation of The Albert Kennedy Trust, which provides support, mentoring and accommodation for homeless LGBT+ youth.
Hall recalled the harsh reality faced by young people at the time: 'One moment they had been the apple of their father's eye, the next they had been told to get out of their home. They were being hit by their fathers and bullied by older brothers.' She described boys aged 14 to 16 arriving at a youth club with black bin bags full of belongings, traumatised and vulnerable to exploitation.
The charity's founding coincided with the era of Section 28, which banned local authorities from 'promoting homosexuality'. Hall said the protests against the law grew, with 200 LGBT+ people attending a meeting in Manchester, including professionals from all walks of life.
