LGBTQIA+ Safe Spaces & Support Groups In Rural Areas Across The UK
Felix Pilgrim is the creative mind behind Queer In The Country, a photographic project aiming to diversify the narrative surrounding the media’s depiction of the queer community. His work aims to capture an accurate image of what it means to be LGBTQIA+ in the countryside and to show the world that queerness isn’t specifically an urban experience. Read our full interview with Pilgrim here, in which he discusses his inspirations and how he hopes his work “makes queer people in the countryside feel less alone”.
In the spirit of escaping the London bubble, Pilgrim shares with us his favourite LGBTQIA+ safe spaces and support groups outside of major cities across the United Kingdom.
LGBTQIA+ Spaces In Northern Ireland
- Cara-Friend – An organisation that has been supporting and empowering the LGBTQIA+ community in Northern Ireland since 1974.
- HERe NI – Offers support for bisexual and lesbian women and their families. Providing resources, help and training while lobbying the government for the inclusion and representation.
- Stonewall – The charity’s Diversity Champions Programme works to make the Northern Irish job market accessible and representative for those in the community, allowing queer people to thrive in the workforce.
LGBTQIA+ Spaces In Wales
- Umbrella Cymru – Provides gender and sexual diversity support for Welsh LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families.
- Body Positive – Gives advice and guidance for those questioning their gender, sexuality or sexual health and free counselling to help those struggling with those questions.
- Mind – Mid and North Powys – Offers individual support sessions over the phone, via Zoom or in person.
- Aberystwyth Frontrunners – An inclusive running club for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, for runners of all levels. The run club prioritises the social aspect, with drinks, brunch or dinner after any run.
- ESCAPE Gurlz – “A new space for bi and lesbian women, organising monthly events bringing women from South Wales and the Borders together for an array of exciting experiences, such as clay pigeon shooting in Brecon and canoeing down the Wye River,” says Pilgrim.
- Elysium Gallery & Studios – A safe and inclusive art gallery in Swansea, supporting queer artists and providing a platform via its exhibitions.
LGBTQIA+ Spaces In Scotland
- Highland LGBT Forum – Organises social activities for members of the queer community over the age of 16 in the Highlands and the Islands.
- Shetland LGBTQ – Provides support for the LGBTQIA+ community in the Shetland Islands.
- Fife Pride – Fife’s Pride Festival is a free event organised by and for the local community each June.
- Category Is Books – A Glasgow bookshop focusing on books depicting the queer experience, as well as history, art and activism.
England
- FarmWell – Offers support for LGBTQIA+ members of the farming community.
- Traveller Pride – A group providing guidance, support and information to make life easier for LGBTQIA+ Travellers as well as providing essential services and meetup spaces. Traveller Pride operates a helpline you can call from 5pm-8.30pm every Monday.
- OutdoorLads – “A walking group for gay, bi and Trans people to get together to enjoy adventures and activities across the UK,” says Pilgrim.
- Gay Outdoor Club – A members’ club and a charity for those in the LGBTQIA+ community who enjoy outdoor activities, organising everything from walking, cycling, swimming and skiing trips to arts, culture, history and social events.
- The Queer Campfire – An organisation hosting UK summer camps predominantly for LGBTQIA+ women, trans & non-binary folks.
- Somerset Lesbian Network – A networking group established by local women to create opportunities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and questioning (LGBQ) cisgender and transgender women in Somerset.
- Lavender Vespers – “Taking place at Queen of Cups, this is Glastonbury’s monthly LGBTQIA+ night focused on the queer community, laughter, storytelling and song,” says Pilgrim.
- Weymouth Gay Group – An informal social group in Weymouth for gay and bi men to meet, twice a week, at the pub.
- LGBT Shrewsbury – Organises LGBTQIA+ events in Shrewsbury and provides a resource list and helpline for those in need of support.
- XYZ Club – This bi-monthly youth group is for LGBTQIA+ people aged 11-18 in Shrewsbury.
- Happy Valley Pride – A week-long queer festival for arts and pride (running this year from 22-28 July), offering a range of events and introducing emerging queer artists to new audiences.
- Norwich Pride – A free-to-enter pride event (held this year on 27 July) that’s free, inclusive and accessible for anyone.
- The Merchant’s House – A queer-friendly cafe and coffee shop in Norwich offering fine ales, coffee and more.
- Poco Loco – An LGBTQIA+ queer cabaret night hosted in Chatham, Kent.
- Daisy & Bean Bakeshop – Bath’s very own queer bakery hosts events alongside serving brunch, sweet treats and specialist coffee.
