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Community groups which meet at Birmingham LGBT Centre
We are aware that some groups are finding other ways to stay in contact and socialise safely. We will try to keep this page up-to-date as information is sent in. If you have any enquiries, please contact the group directly in the first instance, otherwise, call 0121 643 0821 or email hello@blgbt.org
The Birmingham LGBT Centre hosts a wide range of independent social groups organised by LGBT people for LGBT people. So whether you’re interested in making new friends, pursuing a hobby or interest, or making your voice heard on issues that affect LGBT people, there’s a group for you.
Why Join a Community Group?
Overall, research has shown that group activities can contribute to well-being, feelings of social inclusion. People report increased feelings of wellbeing from taking part in group activities, particularly when they have little other access to social events or groups with a focus of shared interest or participate with people they identify with.
It also seems that being involved in group interaction with others with a shared interest can aid feelings of wellbeing. As well as having a positive benefit for individuals, group activities can also contribute to strengthening the LGBT community.
Find out about our clinics
MEETING ONLINE
We currently meet every other month to discuss the housing needs of older LGBT people, including sheltered housing and care homes. At our meetings, we discuss our needs and aspirations and invite agencies to give presentations and discuss how services can be more LGBT-affirmative.
Please contact Maria on 0121 643 0821 or mariahughes@blgbt.org for more details.
Ageing Better LGBT Housing Group is an Ageing Better Network 
Dates for 2020
June – to be confirmed
ALBA is a support group for women asylum seekers or refugees.
If you are a lesbian, bisexual or transgender woman and have come to the UK to seek asylum, then you will be very welcome to come and join us at our monthly meetings on the second Friday of the month at Birmingham LGBT Centre.
ALBA is an Ageing Better Network
Dates for 2020
January 10th
February 14th
March 13th
April – no meetings at Birmingham LGBT until further notice
We are a friendly, welcoming group who read and discuss books of interest to the LGBT community. Tea and coffee provided (30p contributions welcome); lunch together afterwards is optional. We meet on the first Monday of the month (second Monday, if the first is a bank holiday).
If you can’t make a meeting, join the mailing list and you will be sent a review of the book, based on the group discussion. To find out more, and join the mailing list: bardsandbooks@gmail.com. While we are not meeting in person, please keep reading and email your comments on the book to us.
Can I just turn up? Yes
Bards & Books is an Ageing Better Network
Dates for 2020
January 6th: “Rubyfruit Jungle” by Rita Mae Brown
February 3rd: A collection of poems drawn from previous newsletters
March 2nd: “A Ladder to the Sky” by John Boyne
no meetings at Birmingham LGBT until further notice
April 6th: “Under the Udala Trees” by Chinelo Okparanta
Please email comments by 7th April.
Birmingham Gays and Lesbians Against Depression is a friendly support and social group for those suffering from depression or other mental illness; all our members understand depression or other conditions like anxiety, OCD or stress. The group cannot offer counselling or individual support but can guide towards options, and is part of the MIND peer support network of groups across the country.
We meet on alternate Thursday evenings (the second and fourth Thursday each month) from 7.30pm to 9pm. To contact BGLAD, phone 07713 711 502.
BGLAD is an Ageing Better Network
Dates for 2020
January 9th, 23rd
February 13th, 27th
March 12th
No meetings at Birmingham LGBT until further notice
Birmingham LGBTQ+ Writers is a space to meet other queer writers, talk about writing, and put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) for a short writing session.
We usually start with introductions and a bit of a discussion, do a writing prompt in the middle, and then end with tea and some optional sharing of work.
All parts are optional, and all levels of experience and genres of writing are welcome, including non-fiction, poetry and drama. This is peer-led so there is no ‘teacher’ although there will usually be some notes/quotes to jump off from. We’re here to learn from each other!
Basic refreshments provided, feel free to bring your own snacks.
No need to book. Join our Facebook or Meetup groups here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/678928092547328
https://www.meetup.com/Birmingham-lgbtq-writers/
Birmingham Lgbtq+ Writers is an Ageing Better Network
Dates for 2020
January 4th
February 1st
March 7th
No meetings at Birmingham LGBT until further notice
Brum Bi Group are currently using Zoom to socialise – contact them directly for more details.
Brum Bi Group is a safe and friendly social and peer support group for people aged 18+ for anybody who fits under the bisexual umbrella, whether they identify or are questioning their sexuality/romantic life.
Brum Bi Group meets once a month on a Tuesday evening from 7.30pm until 9pm, where topics can be discussed events are planned and a general good old chin wag with bisexual pals who can relate. All over a free drink of tea or coffee. At 9pm we head to a local pub in the Birmingham Gay Village for drinks and a social.
You are also welcome to join us for board and tabletop card games at Bisexuals & Boardgames, on the first and third Friday of the month. Feel free to bring your own games, use our own games supplied or just simply take part and watch.
The group meets at the LGBT Centre on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, 7.30pm. We also meet for Brum Bi Coffee on the 4th Sunday of the month at Warehouse Café, from 12pm.
Email: brumbicoffeegroup@gmail.com
Website: https://brumbigroup.wordpress.com/
Twitter: @BrumBiGroup & @brum_bi_coffee
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/BrumBiGroup/
Meetup: meetup.com/Brum-Bi-Group-Meetup/
Can I just turn up? Yes
Brum Bi Group is an Ageing Better Network
Dates for 2020
Networking meetup
January 14th
February 11th
March 10th
No meetings at Birmingham LGBT until further notice
April 14th
May 12th
June 9th
July 14th
August 11th
September 8th
October 13th
November 10th
December 8th
Bisexuals & Boardgames
January 3rd, 17th
February 7th, 21st
March 6th
No meetings at Birmingham LGBT until further notice
April 3rd, 17th
May 1st, 15th
June 5th, 19th
July 3rd, 17th
August 7th, 21st
September 4th, 18th
October 2nd, 16th
November 6th 20th
December 4th, 18th
Illuminate is a non religious space with no formal liturgy sacred and secular music playing. Some silence is observed in a darkened room, a discussion followed led by a group member or an informal chat in the second half.
It is a space for reflection and inspiration without a particular religious dimension.
The group meets at the Birmingham LGBT Centre on Sunday Evenings 5pm to 7pm
Contact lbradley1990@outlook.com for more details.
Illuminate is an Ageing Better Network
Dates for 2020
January 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
February 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd
March 1st, 8th
No meetings at Birmingham LGBT until further notice
Are you a LGBT+ person from a Muslim background or identifies as Muslim?
Imaan is a charity that supports LGBTQI Muslims. Founded in London in 1999, we campaign to ensure that no LGBTQI Muslim person in Britain feels excluded from their family, their faith or their communities. Imaan is a small, volunteer-led charity, led by and working for LGBTQI Muslims; we aim to represent the breadth of the Islamic faith and the range of identities and narratives of the LGBTQ community and our allies.
Imaan meets on the last Saturday of the month, 5pm – 7pm at the Birmingham LGBT Centre, 38/40 Holloway Circus, Birmingham, B1 1EQ.
For more information please email info@imaan.org.uk
Feel free to join our Facebook page – Imaan – Muslim LGBTQI Support.
Dates for 2020
January 25th
February 29th
No meetings at Birmingham LGBT until further notice
The Journey Asylum Seekers Group is a support and social group for LGBT asylum seekers and LGBT friends, to be a community mixing across generations and cultures. We meet on the third Friday of the month.
You are welcome to just turn up, or contact Phil Hoar on 07484 837 773 or philhoar@btinternet.com for more details.
Journey Asylum Seekers Group is an Ageing Better Network
Dates for 2020
January 17th
February 21st
No meetings at Birmingham LGBT until further notice
Bringing the Silver Screen to LGBTQ Birmingham and Friends, we show the Classics to New Releases.
We aim to show a variety of different types of films to suit all tastes.
You choose what you want to bring along and share, We hold film meetings every so often to agree a future film schedule: what films we are going to watch and when, and who is going to bring the film.
Doors open for 6.45pm for 7pm start. First and Third Tuesday of the month.
Web: http://www.journeyfilmclub.co.uk/
Contact: Journeyfilmclub@hotmail.co.uk
Journey Film Club is an Ageing Better Network
Dates for 2020
7th January: Billy Elliot (2000) – Cert 15 – 1hr 46mins – 7pm START
https://www.facebook.com/events/436037067074397/
County Durham, during the endless, violent 1984 strike against the Thatcher closure of British coal mines. Widower Jackie Elliot and his firstborn, fellow miner Tony, take a dim view of 11 year-old second son Billy’s poor record in boxing class, which worsens when they discover he sneakily transferred to the neighboring, otherwise girls-only-attended ballet class. Only one schoolmate, closet-gay Michael Caffrey, encourages Billy’s desire, aroused by the teacher, who judged him talented enough for private lesson, to train and try out for the world-renowned Royal Ballet audition. Only the prospect of a fancy career unimagined in the pauper quarter may twist pa and big brother’s opposition to indispensable support.
21st January: The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) – 1hr 50mins – 7pm START
https://www.facebook.com/events/2516172368654086/
In 1886, in Victorian London, the corrupt Lord Henry Wotton meets the pure Dorian Gray posing for talented painter Basil Hallward. Basil paints Dorian’s portrait and gives the beautiful painting and an Egyptian sculpture of a cat to him while Henry corrupts his mind and soul telling that Dorian should seek pleasure in life. Dorian wishes that his portrait could age instead of him. Dorian goes to a side show in the Two Turtles in the poor neighborhood of London and he falls in love with the singer Sibyl Vane. Dorian decides to get married with her and tells to Lord Henry that convinces him to test the honor of Sibyl. Dorian Gray leaves Sibyl and travels abroad and when he returns to London, Lord Henry tells him that Sibyl committed suicide for love. Along the years, Dorian’s friends age while he is still the same, but his picture discloses his evilness and corrupt life. Can he still have salvation or is his soul trapped in the doomed painting?
4th February: Vita and Virginia (2018) – Cert 12A – 1hr 40mins – 7:30pm START
https://www.facebook.com/events/1422389997919814/
It’s the fascinating true story about the love affair between socialite and popular author Vita Sackville-West and literary icon Virginia Woolf.
18th February: My Own Private Idaho (1991) – Cert 15 – 1hr 42mins – 7:30pm START
https://www.facebook.com/events/738861546593218/
Mike Waters lives on the street and befriends the somewhat older and streetwise Scott Favor who shows him what is necessary to survive. Waters suffers from narcolepsy and can fall asleep at any moment and in almost any circumstance. Favor comes from a rich family and is rebelling against his own background. They travel together extensively – Waters is driven by the need to find his biological mother – and spend time in Italy. Later in life however, Favor has joined mainstream society and has little time for his old friend.
3rd March: Wilde (1997) – Cert 15 – 1hr 44mins – 7pm START
https://www.facebook.com/events/422604845295325/
The story of Oscar Wilde, genius, poet, playwright and the First Modern Man. The self-realization of his homosexuality caused Wilde enormous torment as he juggled marriage, fatherhood and responsibility with his obsessive love for Lord Alfred Douglas, nicknamed Bosie. After legal action instigated by Bosie’s father, the enraged Marquise of Queensberry, Wilde refused to flee the country and was sentenced to two years at hard labor by the courts of an intolerant Victorian society.
No meetings at Birmingham LGBT until further notice
17th March: Green Book (2018) – Cert 12A – 2hr 7mins – 7pm START
https://www.facebook.com/events/2525276237569294/
In 1962, Tony “Tony Lip” Vallelonga, a tough bouncer, is looking for work when his nightclub is closed for renovations. The most promising offer turns out to be the driver for the African-American classical pianist Don Shirley for a concert tour into the Deep South states. Although hardly enthused at working for a black man, Tony accepts the job and they begin their trek armed with The Negro Motorist Green Book, a travel guide for safe travel through America’s racial segregation. Together, the snobbishly erudite pianist and the crudely practical bouncer can barely get along with their clashing attitudes to life and ideals. However, as the disparate pair witness and endure America’s appalling injustices on the road, they find a newfound respect for each other’s talents and start to face them together. In doing so, they would nurture a friendship and understanding that would change both their lives.
7th April: Hair (1979) – Cert 15 – 1hr 46mins – 7pm START
https://www.facebook.com/events/2414092448918488/
This movie, based on the cult Broadway musical of the 60s, tells a story about Claude, a young man from Oklahoma who comes to New York City. There he strikes up a friendship with a group of hippies, led by Berger, and falls in love with Sheila, a girl from a rich family. However, their happiness is short because Claude must go to the Vietnam war.
21st April: Kevin and Perry Go Large (2000) – Cert 15 – 1hr 20mins – 7:30pm START
https://www.facebook.com/events/2282081831897988/
Kevin and Perry are two 15-year-old boys whose desperation to lose their virginity is so great that it inspires a sort of awe. In the rare moments when they’re not thinking about girls, Kevin dreams of being a singer, and Perry has ambitions toward becoming a dance music DJ. When Kevin and Perry manage to stop a bank robbery, they’re given a sizable cash reward, and they decide to go on a holiday in Ibiza, which is supposedly populated with thousands of beautiful women willing to sleep with anyone. However, after the boys pack plenty of sunscreen and condoms, Kevin’s parents announce that they’re tagging along. Undeterred, Kevin and Perry make the trip and meet superstar DJ Eyeball Paul , who may or may not listen to their demo tape. The boys also encounter Gemma and Candice, two scruffy teenage girls who are nearly as eager as Kevin and Perry to get horizontal.
May 5th, 19th
June 2nd, 16th
July 7th, 21st
August 4th, 18th
September 1st, 15th
October 6th, 20th
November 3rd, 17th
December 1st, 15th
Come along and join us for a fun night of line dancing with other LGBT people and their friends. Absolute beginners very welcome – dances are taught from scratch. We use a range of popular music to dance with (and some country music). No special dress required but wear shoes that don’t have a grip.
The class runs from 6.30-9pm every Thursday at the Birmingham LGBT Centre.
LGBT Line Dancing is an Ageing Better Network
Dates for 2020
January 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
February 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
March 5th, 12th
No meetings at Birmingham LGBT until further notice
MEETING ONLINE
The Married Men’s Group meets monthly and is a friendly social support group for men who are 18+ who are gay, bisexual or transmasculine who have same sex attraction/feelings but may be married or in relationships with women; in a confidential, judgmentifree space with likeminded men.
MMG meets on the last Friday of the month.
You need to book to take part in the online meetings: https://tinyurl.com/blgbtmmgzoom
For more information, call 0121 643 0821 or email sexualhealth@blgbt.org
Dates for 2020
May 29th
June 26th
July 31st
Older Lesbian Network meets every fourth Saturday of the month at 1pm (12pm from 2018) at Birmingham LGBT Centre. Each meeting starts with a chat over shared food brought by the women attending and this is followed by a led discussion on a pre-arranged topic. Topics are decided by the group and usually planned about six months ahead. Sometimes group members with a special interest in a subject present ideas for discussion, other times we invite speakers with specialist knowledge. The group also meets socially from time to time for meals or theatre outings.
New members are always welcome. There is no set age limit; it is up to women who are considering attending to define ‘older’ as they wish. The focus of the group is, however, to support and value the lives of older lesbians.
Contact olnwestmidlands@gmail.com for more information.
OLN is an Ageing Better Network
Dates for 2020
January 25th
February 22nd
No meetings at Birmingham LGBT until further notice
The group is facilitated by volunteers from Prostate Cancer UK, working with the BGT community aimed at providing for gay and bisexual men affected by prostate cancer and trans women. All are welcome, as are partners and supporters of those impacted by prostate cancer. First Saturday of each month between 2 and 4pm.
Contact Eddie Hulme
Telephone 07970 813 599
Email owprostatecancermidlands@gmail.com
Website www.outwithprostatecancer.org.uk
Dates for 2020
No meeting in January
February 1st
March 7th
No meetings at Birmingham LGBT until further notice
The group is open to anyone with an interest in promoting a greater awareness of mental health issues across the communities of Birmingham and Solihull.
Your chance to share information, news & views with statutory agencies, voluntary sector organisations, user groups – and individual users/carers/staff.
Come and join one of the biggest mental health networking meetings in the Midlands, every month! Just turn up – no need to book.
Meetings include guest speakers, information table, light refreshments & a chance to chat and catch up.
For more information call Faheem Uddin on 07800 728 825 or visit www.positivementalhealthgroup.org
The group meets on the last Tuesday of the month at the Centre, at 2.30pm.
Dates for 2020
January 28th
February 25th
No meetings at Birmingham LGBT until further notice
Rainbow Bridge has been set up to bridge the gaps between lesbian, gay, bi, trans and heterosexual communities, to enable them to find out more about each other and activities, groups and services which are of interest to them. Rainbow Bridge holds weekly networking coffee mornings to ‘break the ice’ so that people can meet each other and get a taste of what different community groups can offer.
So, if you’ve ever wanted to go to a group but felt nervous about not knowing anyone, have always wondered what is offered at Birmingham LGBT Centre but have never visited, or you are looking for a group or activity that is right for you – Rainbow Bridge is here!
You are welcome to drop in, or contact rainbowbridgelgbtq@hotmail.com for more details, join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/787474638101615/ or find our events in the Birmingham LGBT Meetup group.
Rainbow Bridge is an Ageing Better Network
Dates for 2020
January 9th, 14th, 16th, 21st, 23rd, 28th, 30th
February 4th, 6th, 11th, 13th 18th, 20th, 25th, 27th
March 3rd, 5th, 10th, 12th
No meetings at Birmingham LGBT until further notice
The spirit of friendship, sharing and support…..is a creative activities group for gay men, away from the scene. The group is related to and based on the principles of the Edward Carpenter Community, which put an emphasis on creativity and personal growth.
We meet on the third Saturday of the month. These meetings tend to be discussion based and themes have included coming out, positive ageing, ‘gay heroes’, spiritual issues. We also provide the opportunity share personal feelings in response to artwork, poetry and music, these sharings are sometimes called Heart Circles.
We also organise more social activities, such as walks, circle dance and music making, shared meals, usually at weekends, and we actively seek to make links with other groups in the area.
From 2017, the group meets on the 3rd Saturday of the month at 3pm.
For more details contact Jon on 07974 477 206 or e-mail: jonghomer@hotmail.com
Can I just turn up? yes
Rainbow Spirit is an Ageing Better Network
Dates for 2020
January 18th
February 15th
No meetings at Birmingham LGBT until further notice
MEETING ONLINE
RANG is a social/support group open to all South Asian & Middle Eastern men who may identify as gay or bisexual.
RANG aims to reduce feelings of isolation and exclusion and bring together men from similar cultural backgrounds and experiences.
RANG meets on the second and fourth Thursday of the month.
You need to book to join the online social: https://tinyurl.com/blgbtrang
For more information please email dansingh@blgbt.org
Dates for 2020
May 28th
June 11th
June 25th
July 9th
Due to the current circumstances the face-to-face groups are suspended but the game is still continuing online! Please contact Ben to join up. (see below). Must have a phone capable of downloading Discord or a computer that can run it.
FREE for LGBT+ people of all ages
The most popular table-top role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons features a vast array of excitement, challenges and fantastically fun role play. Create your character and set off on your adventure, growing and adapting on the fly, and sometimes flying … cause yeah that’s a thing!
Open to all ages, absolutely anyone is welcome to join. You’ll need just two things: imagination and a willingness to participate. We meet twice a month on the first and third Thursday.
If you would like to attend please email me on crittersfarmboi@gmail.com or send a WhatsApp message to 07835 528 826 with your name so I can prepare a character with you beforehand, due to limited time at session to do this. I look forward to seeing you there, sincerely, your Dungeon Master Ben Baker.
Roll-Out is an Ageing Better Network
Dates for 2020
January 2nd, 16th
February 6th, 20th
March 5th, 19th
April 2nd, 16th
May 7th, 21st
June 4th, 18th
July 2nd, 16th
August 6th, 20th
September 3rd, 17th
October 1st, 15th
November 5th, 19th
December 3rd, 17th
Trans Central is a (MTF), or Male to Female transgendered community support group; that meets in the Birmingham LGBT Centre in the West Midlands on the first Monday of each month at 6.30pm.
The group will aim to provide practical help and peer support to the local Trans community, while also creating the opportunity for individual members to take part in community programmes and events, which will work towards helping improve confidence, increase knowledge, and empowering Trans women, while in a relaxed, comfortable, safe and friendly Environment.
Contact Bobbi for more details on 07908 319 439.
Trans Central is an Ageing Better Network
Dates for 2020
January 3rd
February 3rd
March 2nd
No meetings at Birmingham LGBT until further notice
Trans Masculine Birmingham is a support and advice group for all Trans guys over the age of 18, that meets once a month at LGBT Centre in Birmingham. Regardless of whether you are Gender-questioning, Transgendered, Transsexual, Gender-queer or Gender variant, the group welcomes all aspects of the Trans Masculine spectrum.
The group meets in a safe, respectful and friendly environment, with a wide range of activities from self discovery, empowerment to confidence building.
So if you would like to join or just pop along you’ll be made to feel most welcome!
The group meets once a month on the third Monday at the Birmingham LGBT Centre from 6.00pm until 8.00pm.
Contact: transmasculinebirmingham@gmail.com
Dates for 2020
January 20th
February 17th
No meetings at Birmingham LGBT until further notice
TranSpectrum offers a supportive space for all people of non-cis-gendered identities with a Semi-Structured discussion and/or activity at each meeting surrounding gender identity as well as time to chat, network and have some tea. We meet every month on the third Monday until March, when this changes to the second Wednesday.
You can just turn up, or email Lorna on Doctorwhogfm@hotmail.co.uk or text 07910 096 241.
TranSpectrum is an Ageing Better Network
Dates for 2020
January 20th
February 17th
March 11th
No meetings at Birmingham LGBT until further notice