The UK’s gay scene may or may not be fully representative of its wider ethnic mix. But there’s definitely no shortage of support groups available for our minority queers, finds GaydarNation’s Adrian Gillan.
BLACK
Black Gay Men’s Advisory Group - formed in 2003, as an independent group of black gay and bi men of African and African-Caribbean parentage working for, and on behalf of, other black men who have sex with men.
www.bgmag.org.uk
UK Black OUT - provides an online space to disseminate information by and for black LGBT people. There's also an interactive forum for discussing issues most relevant to them. www.ukblackout.com
Rukus! - ground breaking cutting-edge project dedicated to celebrating and showcasing the best in challenging, provocative works by black LGBT artists, nationally and globally. www.rukus.co.uk
Somalian Gay Community - established in 2005 by a small group of gay Somalian guys living in the UK who share a common culture and background. www.somaligaycommunity.org
UK Black Pride - annual event since 2006, seeking to build awareness of, and pride in, the diversity of the LGBT community plus create a safe space for the UK’s black and ethnic minority communities to celebrate their achievements. www.ukblackpride.org
ASIAN
Gay Asia Meets - social group for Asian/oriental gay men, their friends and admirers, aimed at those who are already on the gay scene and want something a little different and at those who are new to the scene and seeking to make new friends.
www.gayasiameets.page.tl
LYC London - started in 1983, this 800-strong group offers a safe space for gay men and women from both East and West to meet and make lasting friendships in the UK.
www.lyclondon.comGaysia - site for gay Asian men from the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan, who are resident in the UK, and their friends.
www.gaysia.co.uk
British Born Chinese Lesbian - project offering empowerment to all Chinese lesbians who live in the UK and beyond.
homepage.ntlworld.com/amy.cham/index.htm
PlanetKiss - for lesbian and bisexual women of South Asian or Middle Eastern descent, holding regular social meetings.
www.planetkiss.org.uk
OTHER
Iraqi LGBT - an underground network of LGBT activists, established inside Iraq, but now run from London by LGBT Iraqi refugees seeking asylum in the UK.
www.iraqilgbtuk.blogspot.com
Imaan - social and support group for LGBT Muslims, their families and friends. www.imaan.org.uk
Huriyah – online magazine for LGBT Muslims. www.huriyahmag.com
Safra Project - tackles issues relating to lesbian, bisexual and transgender women who identify as Muslim, either culturally or religiously, with monthly meets. www.safraproject.org
AHBAB Gay & Lesbian Arab Society – global online hub for LGBT Arabs. www.glas.org/ahbab
Jewish Gay and Lesbian Group – claims to be longest-established Jewish gay group in the world, also welcoming many non-Jews and non-gay guests. Primarily a social organisation, you do not have to be religious to join. www.jglg.org.uk
Beit Klal Yisrael – another group, offering cultural, social and religious events for gay and lesbian Jews and their friends. www.bkylondon.org.uk
UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group - formerly the Stonewall Immigration Group, provides information and advice on immigration rights for same sex couples and support for lesbian and gay asylum seekers. www.uklgig.org.uk
Lesbian and Gay Coalition Against Racism - creates an anti-racist voice of lesbians and gays, helping forge the unity needed to defeat racism, homophobia and bigotry. www.naar.org.uk/lagcar
HEALTH
Big Up @ GMFA - health and social group for black gay men.
www.gmfa.org.uk
Positive East - East London organisation delivering Himat, a support group for South Asian gay men, regardless of HIV status; and Kaleidoscope, a social group for black gay and bi guys, again regardless of HIV status. www.gaymenswellbeing.com and www.positiveeast.org.uk
Naz Project – delivers sexual health and HIV prevention and support projects for the UK’s ethnic minority communities, notably South Asians (including Bangladeshis, Indians and Pakistanis), Muslims (including Middle Easterners and Africans), Horn of Africans (Eritreans, Ethiopians and Somalis), Portuguese speakers (including Angolans, Brazilians, Mozambicans and Portuguese), and Spanish speakers (mainly Latin American).www.naz.org.uk
Any more groups serving the UK’s ethnic minority LGBTs? Email us: editor@gaydarnation.com