LGBTQ+ Support
Pride Without Borders
Email: tom@bristolrefugeerights.org
Call / Text / WhatsApp: 07526 352 353
Pride Without Borders is a support group for LGBTQ+ people seeking asylum and those with refugee status. We meet every 2 weeks and spend time together in person and online. We support and listen to each other and enjoy celebrating our identities and cultures together.
You must be an LGBTQ+ asylum seeker or refugee living in the Bristol area in order to join.
At the time of writing, Pride Without Borders has a waiting list so it will take a couple of months to get through the queue.
LGBTQ+ counseling for people aged under 25
Contact Off The Record for LGBTQ+ 1:1 support and they’ll talk to you about availability and options to connect with the project, groups or services which fit for you.
Questions? Email lgbtq@otrbristol.org.uk
Bristol Queer Directory
A link to a list of LGBTQ+ activity groups in Bristol. There are a LOT of groups, from basketball to yoga
It is a good idea to join more than one group. You could have more friends and more support!
LGBTQIA+ Peer Support Group
This group meets online every Tuesday from 6:30 until 8pm. It is a safe, non-judgemental & confidential space to talk about mental health, wellbeing, identity and more. Run by Changes Bristol.
The form to join the group is here: https://webforms.dizions.co.uk/bristol_changes/member
Email: steven@changesbristol.org.uk
Call: 0117 941 1123
One World LGBTQIA+ Wellbeing Group
Come along for a chat, a cup of tea and to find out more about maintaining your own wellbeing. They meet on the first and third Thursday of each month at FaithSpace, Redcliffe Methodist Church, Prewett Street, Bristol BS16PB.
Queer Housing Facebook Group
A Facebook group where housing for those in the LGBTQIA+ community is advertised.
Helpline for transgender people
MindLine Trans+ - 0300 330 5468
Monday & Friday Evenings, 8pm-midnight
This is a free confidential emotional and mental health support helpline for people who identity as Trans, Agender, Gender Fluid, Non-binary and their family members.
Mental Health
If your mental health is bad, there is help available. You can go to your GP and tell them how you are feeling and ask for mental health support. The Haven is a specialist medical centre for asylum seekers. Call them on 01179 426811. You can join if you are an asylum seeker.
Counseling is a really good idea for people who have been through trauma and had a hard time. You can ask your GP or the Haven to help you with this. It will be free.
How to get counseling:
Vita Minds offer mental health support, call them on 0333 200 1893. They can help you get regular high-quality therapy and they use interpreters.
Samaritans are a charity who are open all the time - 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Their phone number is 116123. They are not able to use interpreters.
Switchboard is an LGBT+ helpline that offers a safe space for anyone to discuss anything, including sexuality, gender identity, sexual health and emotional well-being. You can contact them by webchat via their website, email at chris@switchboard.lgbt or phone on 0800 0119 100 from 10am - 10pm every day. They do not use interpreters.
Bristol Mind offer counseling sessions that are specifically for LGBTQ+ people. Contact them on counselling@bristolmind.org.uk.
Glitter Cymru
A social support group for the LGBTQ+ Global Majority community in Cardiff & South Wales. They host monthly meet-ups and an annual Glitter Pride 🌈🏳️⚧️
www.facebook.com/GlitterCymru/?locale=en_GB
Transcaf Group
If you are trans, get in touch with transcaf – they are not an organisation, but a group of trans people who talk to each other and share information. https://www.facebook.com/bristoltranscaf/
Or email them on:
SARI
SARI are the organisation in Bristol who help people who are having problems with discrimination and hate crime. They work with everybody, not just asylum seekers or LGBTQ+ people.
Call SARI on 01179 420060
Legal Advice - Bristol Refugee Rights
If your asylum support situation is complex, then BRR can give you advice about this.
Email us on advice@bristolrefugeerights.org
Rainbow Migration
This London based LGBTQ+ organisation offers legal advice, social support including online meetings and practical help.
Email: hello@rainbowmigration.org.uk
AKT
Help LGBTQ+ young people aged 16 to 25 who are at risk of homelessness or are not safe in their accommodation.
Discrimination & Hate Crime
LGBTQ+ people are protected in the UK. It is legal to be LGBTQ+ and it is illegal to discriminate. Discrimination means treating you badly or using bad language about you because you are LGBTQ+.
It is also illegal to discriminate against anyone because of their race, religion, gender, sex, disability, age, religion, pregnancy or being a mother.
If you are unsafe and it is an emergency, call 999. The police will take hate crime seriously and you should be protected. You can ask for an interpreter if you need one.
If you live in Home Office housing and face discrimination, you need to tell the house manager and contact Migrant Help on 0808 801 0503 as well.
Micro Rainbow
Another London based LGBTQ+ organisation. They currently run social meetings in London, Birmingham, Leeds and Cardiff.
Email social@microrainbow.org to get involved.
For urgent advice, call 0800 3585851. This number is free to call. The phoneline is open from Monday to Friday from 2pm – 5pm.
They also help asylum seekers who are having problems in their housing. They can offer LGBTQ-only housing in some areas. Email them on housing@microrainbow.org