Campaigns and Hubs South Asian sexual health and wellbeing South Asian social groups, support groups and organisations Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to request an organisation or group to be added to this directory. Apanjon | Birmingham Queers | Blaise | British Asian LGBTI | DOST | DOSTI Leicester | Finding a Voice | Gaysians | Gay Indian Network | GIN: Saathi Deeper Connections | GIN Midlands | Hidayah LGBT | Imaan | Monthly Restorative Justice Circles | Melanin Vybz | Naz and Matt Foundation | PEEPAL | QUEST Mosaic | South Asian HangOuts | The Open Minds Project | Yarana | Apanjon We are Apanjon- a Bangladeshi LGBT community organisation established in 2017 within LGBT friends in the United Kingdom and we have now established to broaden our support for our people. Our main aim and effort is to campaign for equality and justice for LGBT community people in Bangladesh. Opportunities for LGBT people in the UK made him able to speak up and fearless to provide information & support, advice as well as mental health counselling for LGBT person who have been affected by others towards their common way of life. Services we provide includeAdvice on sexual and mental healthAdvice on welfare motivationOne-to-one counsellingLegal advice Where: (write to us) Second floor, 102-105 Whitechapel High Street, London, E1 7RA Tel: 07580457474 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.apanjon.org BQ (Birmingham Queers) (Formerly known as BSAQ (Birmingham South Asian Queers)) This group is a desi themed whatsapp group space for LGBTQIA people across all genders to talk and socialise together. It’s open to people of all ethnicities and colours. Please encourage everyone in the group to read the guidelines. These will be sent out before joining. Email: [email protected] Blaise A social group for those who identify as LGB&T and BAME within Derby, Derbyshire, and the wider East Midlands. Date: Every 3rd Tuesday of the month Time: 7 – 9.30pm Where: Derbyshire LGBT+, 7 Bramble St, Derby DE1 1HU Email: [email protected] Website: www.derbyshirelgbt.org.uk British Asian LGBTI British Asian LGBTI is an online forum which aims to help unite this community and reduce isolation and discrimination faced, defend global LGBTI rights including repealing Section 377 in India and Asia, specializing in intersectionality of race and sexuality issues. This group does important work on queer visibility and aims to reduce homophobia and racism, improving understanding of South Asian LGBTI mental health issues as well as promote acceptance. Website: https://britishasianlgbti.org Twitter (X): @BritAsianLGBTI DOST A monthly support group for South Asian LGBTQ+ men. The group is a safe, facilitated space for those attending to connect, discuss issues they may be affected by and reduce social isolation. Date: First Tuesday of every monthTime: 7 – 9pm Where: NAZ, 30 Black's Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 9DT Contact: Ravi Chohan (Group Coordinator) Tel: 07309 64533 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.naz.org.uk/dost Social Media: https://linktr.ee/nazprojectlondon DOSTI Leicester A social and support group for South Asian and Middle Eastern lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and questioning people. A safe space to talk about common issues, make friends and get involved in cultural activities and celebrations. Date: Last Friday of each month Time: 6-8pm Where: Trade Sexual Health, 2nd Floor, 27 Bowling Green Street, Leicester, LE1 6AS Contact: Makinder Chahal Tel: 0116 254 1747 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.facebook.com/DostiLeicester Social Media: https://linktr.ee/DostiLeicesterNewsletter: newsletter Finding a Voice A voluntary-led LGBT organisation for the South Asian community from Birmingham South Asians LGBT. Facebook: www.facebook.com/findingavoice Twitter (X): @brumasianslgbt Email: [email protected] Gay Indian Network (GIN) A fun and sociable networking and support group for the LGBTQIA community of Indian origin and their friends and allies that would like to get to know each other in friendly groups all over the UK. Their aim is to support and connect the LGBTQIA community of Indian heritage and the wider diaspora with each other, and their friends and allies in the United Kingdom. Date: Monthly Time: Various Where: online / in-person groups Website: https://gayindiannetworklondon.com Social Media: Twitter(X): @GINindianUK The best way to get in touch is via the Meetup group. Click here for more info on joining. They provide the following groups and services: GIN Trans+ Heart Cicrle (Last Thursday of the month 6.30 - 8pm) GIN & Lime Women’s’ Group for Indian and South Asian women GIN Midlands for our members in Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham GIN Well Being support group GIN Book Club meets monthly to review books GIN Film Club for Bollywood and South Asian LGBTQIA films GIN Tele-friending Buddy Service (GTBS) to help isolated people connect GIN & Bombay Tonic WhatsApp group with 150+ members GIN Next GINeration; A social and support group for our members under 35 GIN Roast and Toast; Our Food group for lovers of Indian and South Asian cuisine. GIN Proud Parents Group Gaysians Gaysians platform brings our focus to individual and collective healing. We have significantly expanded the number of organisations we promote, especially those providing mental health, housing and International support, in response to the types of requests we are seeing on the rise. At Gaysians our work has been a labour of love for over five years. We started as a simple website which I built to list the spaces and support groups I was meeting after two decades of performing, speaking, writing and campaigning. We’ve since grown into a global family of volunteers and I’m proud of the incredible milestones we’ve achieved. Website: https://www.gaysians.org Twitter (X): @gaysians_uk GIN Midlands A tea and cake social and a chance to catch up and connect. This event is open to all members, friends, and allies. Everyone is very welcome. Meet new friendly people and have fun in a lovely inclusive space. At Birmingham LGBT. Date: 2nd and 4th Saturdays Time: 3pm – 5.30pm Where: Birmingham LGBT Centre, Birmingham, B1 1EQ Contact: Harvi and Joshi Tel: 0121 643 0821 Website: https://www.meetup.com/gin-gay-indian-network-london/events/ Twitter (X): @GINindianUK Hidayah LGBT Here at Hidayah, our collective mission is to provide support and welfare for LGBTQI+ Muslims and promote social justice and education about our community to counter discrimination, prejudice and injustice. https://hidayahlgbt.com/events/ Email: [email protected] Websites: https://hidayahlgbt.com Social Media: Twitter (X): @HidayahLGBTQI Imaan About: https://imaanlondon.wordpress.com/about/ (Imaan was founded in 1999 in London. Watch the short film in this link) Email: [email protected] Where: 159 Mile End Road, London E1 4AQ Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/chhAKP Twitter (X): @ImaanLGBTQ Melanin Vybz Melanin Vybz (formally the 'BAME/PoC' group) is for all Opening Doors members from Black Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and communities. Date: 3rd Friday (in-person) & Last Friday (online) Time: In-person (5.30-7.30pm) & Online ( 4-5pm) Where: In-person (We meet every third Friday of the month, 5.30 – 7.30 pm) and online (Online sessions take place every last Friday of the month 4.00 - 5.00 pm) These new in-person meetings are held in a sober LGBTQ+ venue in central London. They give us an opportunity for us to share our own stories and learn from each other’s experience. Contact: Melanin Vybz is led by Stephen (he/him) - the BAME/PoC Engagement Officer for Opening Doors. Stephen is an experienced group facilitator who has worked for many voluntary and community organisations over the years and has volunteered and participated with a range of LGBTQ+ groups in the past. Stephen is supported by the following trained volunteers. Tel: +44 (0) 20 7183 6260 Write:Opening DoorsUnit 4.5 Resource for London356 Holloway RoadLondonN7 6PA Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.openingdoors.lgbt/bame-lgbt-group Monthly Restorative Justice Circles (Hidayah LGBT) A monthly safe space event for connection, support, and community healing for those who identify as Muslim(ish) and LGBTQ+. Whether this is your 1st Circle or your 100th, everyone is welcoem to join, connect, and meet other members of an amazing community. Registration is required prior to the event. Date: First Saturday of every month Time: 2pm – 4pm Where: Virtual Email: [email protected] Websites: https://hidayahlgbt.com/event-calendar/monthly-restorative-justice-circles/2023-03-04/ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/monthly-restorative-justice-circles-tickets-527890543827 Twitter (X): @HidayahLGBTQI Naz and Matt Foundation (Support group for religious Parents and LGBTQI+ individuals) A face-to-face support group, created to help bring Parents and LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, trans, queer/questioning and intersex) individuals, from religious and faith backgrounds, closer together… one of the core objectives of Naz and Matt Foundation. Our aim is to create a safe, welcoming space that helps each one of us grow positively, with pride and developing our inner strength as we take steps forward along our journey. We invite Parents of LGBTQI+ individuals to come along who would like to understand the sexuality and gender identity of their children more, by asking questions to members of the LGBTQI+ community without fear of ‘getting it wrong’ or ‘saying the wrong thing at the wrong moment’, particularly when influenced by cultural or religious belief. LGBTQI+ individuals we invite to come along to ask parents questions about their own perspectives, and to help them understand us – who we really are – ultimately to help them understand their own LGBTQI+ children or family members more. Website: https://www.nazandmattfoundation.org/meetup Twitter (X): @nazandmatt PEEPAL Peer Support Group A new social peer support group space for people of South Asian heritage living with HIV. The meetings are held face-to-face at NAZ's office. If you identify as a South Asian you are welcome in this space! This means that your heritage is either South Asian or mixed heritage. This includes cis and trans women and also gender non-conforming people who feel comfortable centring from the South Asian experience. You can expect a friendly social support space for people of South Asian heritage living with HIV to connect, create and collaborate. Date: Last Thursday of every month Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm Where: NAZ, 30 Black's Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 9DT Contact: Mina Kakaiya Tel: 07442383297 Website: https://www.naz.org.uk/peepal Social Media: https://linktr.ee/nazprojectlondon QUEST Mosaic Gatherings where Black, Asian and other Racialised Minority gay, bi & queer men come together to connect, share experiences and build community. Date: 3rd Saturday of the month Time: 11am – 12.30pm Where: Zoom online Contact: Ade Adeniji & Sonny Thaker Website: https://www.thequestawaitsyou.com/quest-mosaic/ South Asian HangOuts A twice monthly social support online Zoom group for gay, bi and trans men with South Asian Heritage, who live in the UK. Date: First and Third Tuesdays of the month Time: 7pm – 8.30pm Where: Zoom online Contact: Dan Singh Tel: 020 7738 6872 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.lgbthero.org.uk/hangouts-for-south-asian-gay-bi-and-trans-men Twitter (X): @lgbthero | https://linktr.ee/lgbthero The Open Minds Project Different groups each month that provide safer and more supportive spaces for LGBTQIA+ people with South Asian heritage to connect and learn from each other. Date: Once a month Where: In person, rotating between London, Birmingham and online. Also, online reading group, poetry group and art workshops Contact: Kuljit Email: https://www.theopenmindsproject.org/contact Websites: https://www.theopenmindsproject.org/events https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-open-minds-project-31813056391 Social Media: Instagram / Twitter (X) / Youtube all @_openmindsproj_ Yarana A face-to-face group for South Asian and Middle Eastern LGBTQI+ people together. A safe and welcoming space that promotes positive health and wellbeing. Date: Monthly on Saturdays Time: 4-6pm Where: Birmingham LGBT Centre, B1 1EQ Contact: Naazim Qureshi Tel: 0121 643 0821 E-mail: [email protected] Website: https://blgbt.org/directory/yarana/ Twitter (X): @birminghamlgbt | https://linktr.ee/birminghamlgbt