Support and Resources
Charities, groups, organisations and other support for LGBTQIA+ people in West Yorkshire
Bingley Pride was created with the understanding that those in the LGBTQIA+ community face a number of struggles, from discrimination to homelessness to mental health difficulties and more.
With this in mind, we have compiled a list of relevant support and resources for LGBTQIA+ people in West Yorkshire.
Local Groups
Organisations providing social and support groups for the LGBTQ+ community in Bingley and nearby cities.
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Bradford Equity Partnership provides support to LGBTQIA+ individuals in the Bradford area through training and support groups. These include youth groups such as SOUND and Spectrum, and support groups for older queer folk, including Older and Bolder for gay, bi and pansexual men and Older and Wilder for lesbian, bisexual and pansexual women.
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Out Together is a charity focused on uniting LGBTQIA+ people across different generations in Yorkshire. The charity arranges meetups in Bingley on the first Tuesday of every month.
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Yorkshire MESMAC is a sexual health provider offering STD testing, condoms and PrEP, all free of charge. MESMAC also provides youth groups for LGBTQIA+ individuals in both Bradford and Leeds, including BLAGY and trans-specific group Phoenix.
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TransLeeds is a grassroots peer support organisation that supports and is run by trans and non-binary people in Leeds and the surrounding areas. They run support groups, social events, a binder library, offer advocacy, and provide trans-inclusion training.
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Gendered Intelligence is a trans-led organisation which offers support to trans people and their families. In Leeds, they offer a support group and swimming socials for trans youth. They also provide online groups and resources.
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African Rainbow Family offer support and social connections for LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers from African heritage and the global majority. They have a dedicated branch of their organisation in Leeds.
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Bradford BBQ is a collective by and for Black and Brown LGBT+ people in and around Bradford. They run monthly social groups as well as arts and cultural events.
Helplines
These helplines are dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ people. If you are struggling and need to talk, please reach out.
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Switchboard is a support and advice service for LGBT+ individuals to talk over issues, vent to a listening ear, seek guidance and more. There are options for phone call, messaging and email contact.
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MindOut is a mental health charity for LGBTQIA+ individuals, including live support chats from 3-5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays for people over 18.
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Galop is the UK’s national anti-abuse organisation. They specialise in supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, honour-based abuse, forced marriage, conversion therapies, and other forms of interpersonal abuse.
Their helpline operates Monday to Friday and their web chat alternative Monday to Thursday.
Support for Trans People
Organisations that offer resources, groups and support specifically for transgender, non-binary and gender diverse people. Those who offer in-person services in West Yorkshire are marked with asterisks (*).
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Gendered Intelligence is a trans-led organisation which offers support to trans people and their families. In Leeds, they offer a support group and swimming socials for trans youth. They also provide online groups and resources.
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TransLeeds is a grassroots peer support organisation that supports and is run by trans and non-binary people in Leeds and the surrounding areas. They run support groups, social events, a binder library, offer advocacy, and provide trans-inclusion training.
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TransActual shares resources online for trans people around legal rights, access to healthcare, media misinformation and transphobia, and national trans advocacy.
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Sparkle is a national charity which celebrates transgender people. They hold Sparkle Weekend, an annual event to celebrate diverse gender identities and experiences.
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Mermaids is a charity supporting trans, non-binary and gender-diverse children, young people and their families. They offer support, training and events for parents, children, and whole families.
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Refuge Restrooms is an international map showing the location of gender-neutral and accessible toilets, based on user submissions.
Support for Migrants and People of Colour
These organisations can offer support and social connections especially for LGBTQ+ migrants and people of colour. Those who offer in-person services in West Yorkshire are marked with asterisks (*).
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African Rainbow Family offer support and social connections for LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers from African heritage and the global majority. They have a dedicated branch of their organisation in Leeds.
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Bradford BBQ is a collective by and for Black and Brown LGBTQIA+ people in and around Bradford. They run monthly social groups as well as arts and cultural events.
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Rainbow Migration is a national organisation providing practical and emotional support to LGBTQ+ people seeking asylum or making an immigration application to live with a partner in the UK.
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UK Black Pride is the world’s largest celebration for LGBTQIA+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern-descent. They produce an annual celebration during pride month, as well as a variety of activities throughout the year in and around the UK.
Faith-Based Support
Organisations which provide support, information or social groups for LGBTQ+ people who are religious or from religious backgrounds in the UK.
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The Open Table Network is a network for Baptist, Church of England, Church In Wales, Methodist and United Reformed Church Christians. It also offers dedicated communion services for LGBTQ+ people across the UK, including in Bradford.
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Hidayah LGBT offers support and guidance to LGBT Muslims, both practicing an non-practicing. This includes wellbeing support, community connection and mentoring.
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The Naz and Matt Foundation offers trauma informed individual and group support services for LGBTQ+ people who have experienced religious and cultural homophobia, ‘honour’ based abuse, LGBTQ+ forced marriage and conversion therapy. They also work with LGBTQ+ individuals and their parents to help resolve challenges related to religion and culture and LGBTQ+ identity.
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Quest is a volunteer-led organisation which offers pastoral support and resources to LGBTQ+ Catholics. They also have a regional group for the North of England, offering fellowship and opportunities to gather.
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Sarbat is a volunteer-led group addressing LGBTQ+ issues from a Sikh perspective. They run online social events and book clubs.
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Inclusive Mosque is an intersectional feminist mosque dedicated to creating inclusive, safer places for marginalised Muslims and their families, especially non-traditional families. They are primarily based in London but offer some online events and resources.
Housing Support
LGBTQ+ people, especially young people, are disproportionately at risk of homelessness. If you are in need of support, these dedicated may be able to help.
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Stonewall Housing provides safe accommodation for LGBTQIA+ folk of all ages to tackle the issue of homelessness in the LGBTQIA+ community. There are options for self-referral and agency referral.
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LGBTQIA+ people aged 16-25 who are facing homelessness can access accomodation via akt. There are self-referral and agency referral options.
