Photograph
Claud Cunningham
The Gay Village
2010

A portrait of DJ and promoter Claud Cunningham by Rachel Adams for The Modern Lesbian project.

The text below is by Andy Brydon and is taken from the Curated Place/TML website:

"Claud Cunningham is one of the few people on the gay scene in Manchester to actively seek to provide a space that embraced racial diversity rather than relying on stereotyped images and aesthetics that guarantee profits but whitewash the scene.

Beginning at Vanilla in 2000, long before it became acceptable to play contemporary black music in a gay venue, Black Angel introduced R&B, Soul and even Bhangra to the Village. While the relationship with Vanilla was short-lived the night went from strength to strength gaining a reputation for being friendly, safe and truly diverse, eventually gathering up a string of imitators along the way."