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Building community

Building a supportive environment with people from the community can help to increase your over health and wellbeing. This is because it can often feel affirming to have people who share similar experiences with you and understand your circumstances.  

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Finding and building social connections can sometimes be difficult as often it can be hard to know where there are safe spaces and where other people from the community hang out. As a result it can be easy to feel isolated. 

Below, we’ve listed some helpful resources to help you find local spaces: 

Every year, local Pride events take place in communities across Scotland to support the LGBTQI+ community. These events will usually bring together local groups that are working in your area that you can link in with.  

There may also be opportunities to get involved in organising local Pride events through volunteering which can help you meet people. 

There are a number of organisations across Scotland that are involved in supporting members of the LGBTQI+ community, and they often help to organise events for local communities. Some of these groups are available online, which is helpful for people who live on more rural or isolated communities. Check out:  

  • Leap Sports Scotland – organisation working for greater LGBTQI+ inclusion in sport. Has a directory of inclusive clubs across Scotland. 
  • LGBT Health and Wellbeing – national LGBTQI+ health and wellbeing charity, offering a range of support. LGBT Health help to facilitate a range of social groups for people of all ages. 
  • LGBT Youth Scotland – charity for young LGBTQI+ people aged 13-25. Coordinate a number of youth groups across the country. 
  • Scottish Trans Alliance – charity working to improve equality, rights and inclusion for trans people. Website includes a useful section on community, linking to local groups. 
  • Hidayah UK – UK charity  offering information, advice and support for LGBTQI+ Muslims. 

Most LGBTQI+ groups will be community-led activities run by local people. It can be worth searching your local area for groups through social media. 

Through our community work in Lothian, here are some local groups that are currently running in the local area: 

  • Edinburgh Blueballs – Weekly men’s mental health and cold water dipping group. Edinburgh Blueballs creates a supportive community where men can enjoy the benefits of cold water dipping. It is free to come along, and the website includes safety advice for going into the water. Not specifically LGBTQ+ but known to be inclusive and a lot of GBMSM attend 
  • Edinburgh Curveballs – Edinburgh Curveballs is an LGBTQ+ squash, tennis and padel group. The club welcomes players of all abilities, from absolute beginners to seasoned veterans. Alongside regular games, the club offers optional social activities. 
  • Edinburgh Frontrunners – Edinburgh Frontrunners is a running club for LGBTI+ people and friends. Membership is open to all regardless of age, gender, sexuality or running ability. As part of the weekly club sessions, you can join the group for food and drinks afterwards at a local venue.
  • Edinburgh Gay Men’s Book Group – A monthly book group for gay men. The group meets online and in person, and also arranges regular, in-person social events for members. Group sends out a regular newsletter. 
  • Edinburgh Gay Men’s Chorus – The Edinburgh Gay Men’s Chorus was founded in 2007 to create a fun, supportive social group where men can come together to sing and raise money for local charities and causes. Membership is open to anyone who identifies as male, and shares the choir’s commitment to openly identifying with the gay community. 
  • Edinburgh Trans Choir – Relaxed and friendly choir organised by trans people for trans people. Open to singers of all levels and backgrounds. 
  • Hotscots – Hotscots provide a range of football opportunities including social kickabouts, competitive fixtures and social events. The club is open to anyone age 18+ and welcomes people regardless of gender, sexuality, religion or nationality. 
  • Kafe Kweer – Sober queer space with café, food, groceries and exhibition space 
  • LGBT Basketball Edinburgh – Basketball for LGBTQI+ people of all skill levels from and travelling to Edinburgh. No need to book, you can just turn up. if you’d like to stay connected, drop them an email to join their mailing list. 
  • Loud & Proud – Loud & Proud is Scotland’s LGBT Choir, performing three shows annually.  The group is, first and foremost a community choir for LGBT people, though they also welcome allies. 
  • Queer Boardgames – Monthly boardgames group for queer people aged 16+ in Edinburgh. 
  • Queer by Nature – Queer By Nature is an Edinburgh-based local community group run by and for queer people that like nature 
  • Queer Disabled Spoonie – An inclusive group for queer people, disabled people, their friends, family, carers, and allies to get together, support one another, create, craft, play board games, and organise intersectionally and in solidarity with other marginalised people. You don’t have to be LGBTQIA+, disabled, or identify as queer to attend, but this space will be about centring the needs, experiences, and voices of people who identify themselves as queer and/or disabled/chronically ill. 
  • Queer Singing Group  – Inclusive singing group for LGBTQ+ service users at Number 6. This is a beginners friendly, non-performing group, coming together to have fun, sing songs and make music together.  
  • Queer Yoga Edinburgh – Weekly yoga sessions for LGBTQ+ people aged 16+ in Edinburgh. Classes open to beginners and people with a range of abilities. 
  • Safron Cherry – Saffron Cherry is a monthly meetup group for Queer and Trans People of Colour (QTPOC) in Edinburgh 
  • Shuttlescots – Relaxed and friendly LGBT badminton group that meets to play, have fun and socialise. People are free to drop in to any sessions. You can also send an email ahead of attending to shuttlescots@hotmail.com, and someone will meet you at the door to show you around. First session is free, and spare equipment is available for you to use. 
  • TEam (Trans Enby and more) – Group for autistic adults who identify as  trans, non-binary, or are questioning their gender. 
  • Thebans Rugby – Caledonian Thebans is an inclusive rugby club based in Edinburgh. The club prides itself on its welcoming attitude and diverse membership. The club is always looking for new members, and welcomes players of any experience level.   
  • Unscene Edinburgh – Social group for gay, bi and all men who have sex with men. Arranges wide range of events throughout the year, including movies, walks, shows, day trips and social nights.

Know of other groups working across the Lothains? Let us know and we’ll add them to our list. 

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