Birmingham LGBT Sexual Health services is a community partner of Umbrella Health (University Hospitals Birmingham, NHS) and is committed to providing quality accessible and culturally competent services for all sections of the LGBT community.

Our specialist South Asian & Middle Eastern MSM Sexual Health and Well being service is delivered by our South Asian & Middle Eastern Sexual Health Outreach Worker. This dedicated role is here to provide ‘one to one’ support which includes signposting, referrals, information and guidance, with a focus on enabling access to appropriate sexual health and well being services.

MSM is a grouping term we refer to as ‘men who have sex with men’ but this does not exclude anyone who does not relate to this but still may identify as a gay, bi, trans, queer or questioning man.

This service will:

• Identify and reduce the barriers South Asian & Middle Eastern MSM people may face when accessing healthcare.
• Raise awareness among South Asian & Middle Eastern MSM around sexual health and well being issues, and updates that are relevant to them.
• Raise awareness of health inequalities and barriers faced by South Asian & Middle Eastern MSM within wider services, and address these though training, education and health promotion, including HIV/STI testing services.

As South Asian and Middle Eastern MSM and gay, bi, trans, queer or questioning men we may experience a range of issues including pressures to get married, forced marriage, honour-based violence, stigma, prejudice, racism, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.

There may often be a lack of understanding around various types of sexuality and gender identities often stigmatised from our own culture and communities. These conflicts in relation to culture, faith and religion can lead to further isolation, anxiety and stress.

At Birmingham LGBT, we offer a safe, supportive, confidential, private and non-judgmental well being service that is person centered focused.

We are here to listen and support you. We are here for you.

One of the main benefits of this service is being able to talk to someone from a South Asian background who can listen to your concerns which may be related to cultural conflicts.

We understand that for some people talking to another South Asian person may not be helpful or appropriate, which is why we have a diverse Health Promotion Team that is inclusive of LGBT+ people and workers that identify as LGBT allies.

We can offer regular well being ‘one to one’s’ to listen to your concerns around sexuality, faith, culture, and the impact this has on you, or any other general topics you need to discuss. https://blgbt.org/wellbeing-support-service/

We can listen to your concerns and where appropriate we can refer or signpost you to our specialist main services which may help such as Peer Mentoring, Domestic Abuse and Counselling.

Here are links to some of our sexual health services and information:

• Options to get tested 7 days a week
• Our Sexual Health Clinics
• About STI’s
• About HIV
• About PrEP
• Free Condoms, Lube & Gloves
• Chemsex

Please call us 7 days a week if you need any other information 0121 643 0821

RANG is a peer social group open to South Asian & Middle Eastern MSM and gay, bi, trans, queer or questioning men.

In some South Asian countries Rang means “colour”.

The aims of the group are:

• To reduce feelings of isolation and exclusion.
• To meet other MSM and gay, bi, trans, queer or questioning men from similar cultural backgrounds and lived experiences.
• A safe space to discuss common topics that may affect us.
• To gain a wider knowledge around sexual health, well being and the various activities happening at Birmingham LGBT and beyond.
• To reflect on our success and the impact of this as individuals and communities.

For more information please call us on 0121 643 0821.

About Rang

Currently we meet on Zoom on the last Thursday of the month, 6pm – 7.30pm.

When the Birmingham LGBT Centre re-opens:

• The group will likely run once a month at Birmingham LGBT Centre (times to be confirmed).
• At least 3 times a year we invite speakers to come in and introduce their services in relation to well being.
• We also endeavour to visit other places twice a year.
• We will offer sexual health updates and STI testing (testing offered after group closes).

Social Support Groups:

• Dosti
• Finding a Voice
• Imaan
• Hidaya

Asylum Support

• UKLGIG
• Micro Rainbow
• https://blgbt.org/asylum-seekers/

Other

• http://www.naz.org.uk/community-programmes
•  http://www.lgbtconsortium.org.uk/directory/british-asian-lgbti
• http://www.sarbat.net/
• https://gayindiannetworklondon.com/
• https://www.taraki.co.uk/