Something has changed.
I use a gym in Wythenshawe, Manchester. I occasionally meet a fellow member who is a gay chap. He moved out of Wythenshawe but only a few miles away. I moved up the road a decade ago, but still like to visit 'Wythie'. We connected years ago because both of us knew Caroline Aherne - he through work, and myself because I grew up just a few streets away from her families council house.
This morning (and with his permission to share the following) he told me that the Manchester Pride had indeed provoked a response.
There's been a 'Watch List' of homophobes updated and used for years now. Some firms in Manchester have access to it, and it is shared with other Watch Lists nationwide. The idea is to identify homophobes, particularly those who are promoting such views, and where necessary, easing them out of prominent roles, or ensuring their promotion route is interrupted. So basically 'cancel culture', but one established years ago, even before the term was invented!
He wouldn't tell me how many names are on the list, but it did increase in number after the Manchester Pride. I asked how does someone get added to the list? He wouldn't tell me, but asked me if I had anyone in mind? I suggested the name of a particular LibDem councillor candidate just a few miles away, but she's apparently already on the list!
I've known of Watch Lists before; I've seen a digital one for anti-semites in Manchester, and I know it's still being maintained. So one dedicated to identifying homophobes would perhaps be expected.
And
Apparently at Manchester Pride there were some attendees who had the not-very-brilliant-idea to go to Manchester's Gay Village and cause some damage (apparently to warn the gay community off from opposing the transgender cause). They were trying to drum-up support but struggled to get much enthusiasm, which is perhaps a credit to those attending, or perhaps a recognition on their part about what the next morning's headlines would be. Next year's Pride weekend could be interesting!