Equality

LGBTQ+ Hangout 05/04/23

30th March 2023 by HERO - Health Equality and Rights Organisation

LGBTQ+ Hangouts is an online support and social group for anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+ over 18.

What is this group?

LGBTQ+ Hangout is a online social and support group for LGBTQ+ people to come together and connect with one another in a safe and friendly non-judgmental environment. Over the course of the sessions, we will be chatting all things queer. You can talk about your day, current events, interests, whatever you like. We understand that the importance of meeting other LGBTQ+ people and want to create a safe space together to get to know each other.

What happens at the group?

You’re welcome to spend more time listening than speaking and you are not expected to tell us about your sexuality or gender unless you want to. At the end of the event, you will be asked to fill out a quick anonymous survey to help us improve for our next event

You will receive a link for the Zoom meeting after signing up, and a reminder shortly before the meet up. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or need any support attending.

Why Come To a Zoom Hangout?

Here are some reasons people have said the come to Zoom meet ups –

To meet new people who I would not encounter in person.
They are more accessible to me due to my health requirements.
I don’t have to worry about people I know seeing me while I am out.
I can fit them into my day easily and still come along when I’m busy.
Socialising can be really hard and awkward, I find it easier on Zoom.

Timings:

The sessions will be held on Zoom every other week between 7.00pm – 8:30pm.

Session guidelines:

Please add your pronouns to the display name on Zoom.
Please join the session with your mics on mute.
You do not have to have your camera on, you just do what you feel comfortable with. However, we believe to get the most out of the session, you might benefit from seeing some friendly faces.
When someone else is speaking, we ask that you keep yourselves on mute.
Please be respectful. We have zero tolerance for any kind of bullying/harassment. Anyone who exhibits this behaviour will be removed from the sessions.
You are welcome to leave at anytime if you feel uncomfortable or anxious, just let us know in the chat.
Do not attempt to contact other members outside the group unless they have made it clear they consent to this.

We are not a crisis service, we can do our best to support you or answer questions but we are primarily a social group. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis please follow THIS link.

LGBTQ+ Hangouts is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund as part of a joint mental health programme in partnership with London Friend and Elop. LGBT HERO is funded to deliver online support groups for LGBTQ+ people. LGBTQ+ Hangouts is part of this work.

Coffee and Cake Events

6th February 2023 by North Northants LGBT Forum

The North Northants LGBTQ+ Forum, in association with North, and West, Northamptonshire Councils, The Integrated Care Northants System, and local partners, are holding a series of Coffee and Cake events across the month of February.

We’ll bring the cake, you bring the coffee (or any drink of your choosing). These events are raising money for local LGBTQ+ groups and organisations across Northamptonshire and to share information and support to those who want it.

Even if you can’t come get a delicious slice of cake we welcome any and all donations. We know things are tough lately, it’s the same for our local groups too, so anything you can spare will go toward helping hundreds of people across the county.

If you’d like to join us in hosting one of your own you can find the editable poster, and some resources to consider sharing on the day, at: lgbtforum.co.uk/events/History-Month

Wandsworth LGBTQ+ Forum x Night Time Strategy

21st October 2022 by Queer Wandsworth

Wandsworth council is teaming up with the Wandsworth LGBTQ+ Forum to host a workshop as part of the development for a Night Time Strategy.

The aim is to create a better night-time experience (between 6pm and 6am) for everyone living, working, and visiting the borough. The strategy is particularly focused on supporting night time workers and people who may feel more at risk out and about after dark.

We will therefore use the workshop session to develop a set of LGBTQ+ inclusive policies that look at how the council can better support the community at night.

Recommendations will look at how the council can support local businesses, ensure our town centres are vibrant and safe and look at the design of our public spaces.

As we all know, Wandsworth unfortunately has no dedicated LGBTQ+ spaces. A Night Time Strategy recommendation, highly endorsed by the Forum, will be the creation of a space for the community in the borough. But we also want to better understand the vast experiences of Wandsworth at night and explore new ideas, like ways to connect more closely with neighbouring Lambeth.

For this reason, you are invited to the workshop on Tuesday 1st of November, from 6.30 to 8.30 pm at the Battersea Art Centre. The event is free, and snacks and drinks will be provided. This will be the perfect arena to highlight how does a safe night in Wandsworth looks like for you. This will also be the perfect opportunity for us, the new Forum members, to say hello to all our new and not-so-new friends. There will also be a chance for networking drinks at the end of the event.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions and if you are thinking of coming, make sure to fill in the Eventbrite registration form. This is only help us understand the expected turnout.

You can find out more about the Night Time Strategy and leave your comments on our interactive map here: https://ntswandsworth.commonplace.is/

We look forward to seeing you there.

Gender Awareness Training

14th January 2022 by Andro and Eve

This online session is designed to pass on knowledge and best practice, enabling you to better serve and meet the needs of clients, customers and audiences of all genders, particularly those who fall under the Transgender* umbrella.

Drawing upon Andro and Eve’s extensive experience in meeting the needs of the LGBTQIA community in creating safe and inclusive events, this session covers;

Context. Where are we at with Trans Rights in the UK?
Terminology. Words have impact. We explore definitions and when to use.
Best practice. Looking at practical steps to implement, in order to be inclusive of transgender and gender diverse people.
Sharing experiences. Stories help us make sense of the world. We use practical exercises to help develop understanding and participants to relate to the subject.

Outcomes – You will;

Feel more confident in your knowledge of the experiences of people who identify as LGBTQ+.
Understand what gender inclusive language is and when to use.
Understand the practical steps to help build gender inclusive practices and spaces.
Take away a resource sheet with content covered in the session along with further advice and resources.

Covering topics including language, intersectionality, non binary identities, gender in a global context, feminism, LGBTQ+ history and transgender health and equality and the law.

Here’s what one previous participant had to say – “A really valuable session – it covers the legal and practical aspects (and flaws!) and discusses ways forward. It encourages empathy and reflection. Really well facilitated.”