Highland LGBT Forum
For the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender community
in the Highlands & Islands
in the Highlands & Islands
Email:
Mobile: 075 1223 1904
Visit the Forum's Facebook page!
DIARY DATE:
Thursday 16 May
LGBT IDAHO Dinner in Aberdeen
(International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia)
Tuesday 11 June 2013
LEAP Sports and LGBT Youth Scotland are running a martial arts workshop for 13 - 25 year olds in Inverness from 7-9pm. This event is free, but places are limited. This is part of the first ever LEAP Sports Festival Fortnight.
Click here for details.
LEAP Sports and LGBT Youth Scotland are running a martial arts workshop for 13 - 25 year olds in Inverness from 7-9pm. This event is free, but places are limited. This is part of the first ever LEAP Sports Festival Fortnight.
Click here for details.
Brook Highland is interested in doing a podcast made by LGBT folks (aged 16-25) to tackle the stigmas/stereotypes LGBT young people face when accessing sexual health services in Highland and what can be done to stop this. The podcast will be circulated around local medical practices/organisations for awareness raising.
Participants do not need to be shown on camera - they can either provide sound bites that can be put to film or even just help with putting the material together/filming/editing etc.
Contact Jo Skyes at Brook Highland (77 Church Street, Inverness IV1 1ES). Tel: 01463 24 24 34.
This Youth Forum project is funded by 02 Think Big and will include several mini podcasts on behalf of young people in Highland Visit the Let's Talk About Sex project page or find them on Facebook.
Participants do not need to be shown on camera - they can either provide sound bites that can be put to film or even just help with putting the material together/filming/editing etc.
Contact Jo Skyes at Brook Highland (77 Church Street, Inverness IV1 1ES). Tel: 01463 24 24 34.
This Youth Forum project is funded by 02 Think Big and will include several mini podcasts on behalf of young people in Highland Visit the Let's Talk About Sex project page or find them on Facebook.
Inverness LGBT Youth Group
The Inverness LGBT youth group (Pillar) is now supported by 2 part-time workers.
Regular weekly meetings for 16-25s every Tuesday from 7pm to 9pm at the Bike Shed in Grant Street, Inverness.
Mobile: 07974996051.
Click to contact.
Mobile: 07974996051.
Click to contact.
STONEWALL SCOTLAND
Have your say on our public services by taking part in this brand new survey by Stonewall Scotland. The 'Your Services Your Say' project will build a picture of LGBT Scots' expectations and experiences of accessing vital services such as the NHS, Fire and Rescue Services, the Police and Local Councils. It will help improve local services for LGBT Scots. The survey is anonymous and should take no longer than ten minutes. Fill out the survey here: www.stonewallscotland.org.uk
Have your say on our public services by taking part in this brand new survey by Stonewall Scotland. The 'Your Services Your Say' project will build a picture of LGBT Scots' expectations and experiences of accessing vital services such as the NHS, Fire and Rescue Services, the Police and Local Councils. It will help improve local services for LGBT Scots. The survey is anonymous and should take no longer than ten minutes. Fill out the survey here: www.stonewallscotland.org.uk
Are you aged 20 to 35, non-heterosexual and living in Britain? Future Intimacies is a research study exploring what lesbians, gay men and other sexual minorities in their twenties and early thirties think about parenthood and childlessness. To complete this short survey conducted by Robert Pralat at the Department of Sociology, University of Cambridge, visit www.futureintimacies.com
Edinburgh Pride
Saturday 15 June 2013
Check out
www.pride-scotia.org
Sports / Activities
The Gay Outdoor Club has many events throughout the year in the Highlands and the rest of Scotland for all LGBT people.
LGBT Youth Scotland has a helpline number 0131 555 3940 and chat facilities on their web site.
HELPLINES
The LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing operates LGBT Helpline Scotland on 0300 123 2523 every Tuesday and Wednesday from 12pm to 9pm.
They also operate the Lothian LGBT Helpline on 0131 556 4049 and this is available every Wednesday, 12.30-7pm.
The helplines offer support and information on a range of issues including sexuality, relationships and coming out. The service is available to anyone who is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender and those questioning their sexuality or gender identity. It is also there to help families, friends, supporters and any other agencies acting on behalf of an LGBT person.
Get more LGBT news from:
- Equality Network
- LGBT Youth Scotland
- Stonewall Scotland
- Scottish Transgender Alliance
- Scotsgay
- g3 lesbian magazine
Newsletter May 2013
The Highland LGBT Forum held its AGM in April and elected a new committee of charity trustees: Robyn (Chair), Joanne (Secretary), Sarah (Treasurer), Mike, Morgan, Tony, Shirley and Sandra. Committee meetings are usually held once a month at Inverness Leisure. Email membership@gay-ness.org.uk for details of how to join us.
The Forum has run successful LGBT awareness-raising conferences this year in Nairn, Fort William, Thurso and Portree thanks to a grant from Awards for All Scotland. In May we are heading over to Stornoway, with plans to visit Orkney in September and Shetland in October with help from Highlands & Islands Equality Forum.
It's party time!
The FORUM ForMEN Spring Party will be held at a private venue in central Inverness on Saturday 4 May. Gay and bi men welcome. For details contact Tony on 07527107852.
Don't forget that every Wednesday it's MEN@MACNABS - a weekly opportunity for gay/bi guys to socialise from 8pm at Macnab's bar & bistro (on the riverside at the Columba Hotel, Inverness). Look for the table with the shiny, red post box. Contact Morgan on morgan@tramstop.org or 07745 930383.
Don't forget that every Wednesday it's MEN@MACNABS - a weekly opportunity for gay/bi guys to socialise from 8pm at Macnab's bar & bistro (on the riverside at the Columba Hotel, Inverness). Look for the table with the shiny, red post box. Contact Morgan on morgan@tramstop.org or 07745 930383.
Aces at Miami Nightclub in Inverness is holding its next LGBT night on Tuesday 7 May. Doors open at 9pm. Drinks from £1.50. DJ and top tunes. Over 18s only. This regular event is on the 1st Tuesday of every month. Contact 01463 232602.
NEW GROUPS
Following on from the Highland LGBT Forum roadshow events, 2 new social groups have set up across the Highlands.
- North Highlands LGBT social group (covering Caithness, Sutherland and Orkney) now meets for lunch in once a month in Thurso (on the first Saturday) and also meet one evening a month (on the third Thursday). Contact northhighlandslgbt@gmail.com
- A new social group for LGBT folks in Lochaber is meeting in Fort William on Tuesday 4 June. To get in touch contact is initially via morgan@tramstop.org or 07745 930383.
Come In, Come Out, Come Home - a new 'talking' group for LGBT people
New group run by Runa Wolf, BA, PGCE, MA Gestalt Psychotherapy, MBACP
Email: runawolf@gmail.com
Phone or text: 07833 603 293
Email: runawolf@gmail.com
Phone or text: 07833 603 293
Runa is offering a regular weekly 2-hour space for a facilitated group in her comfortable, private workroom just off Forres High Street on Wednesday evenings from 7 - 9 pm.
There will be an introductory meeting, by donation, from 7 - 9 pm on Wednesday 15 May. If you are not sure whether this group is for you, this is your chance to come along and find out more. View more info in PDF.
Runa is also able to offer private therapy sessions at her workroom in Forres. Contact her direct for details and costs. LGBT folk, family and friends are welcome.
LGBT Running
Free jogging session every Wednesday at 6.30pm.
starting outside Inverness Leisure
All levels of joggers are welcome!
Contact Simon Venn on 07941 553620 / jampa40@yahoo.co.uk
Free jogging session every Wednesday at 6.30pm.
starting outside Inverness Leisure
All levels of joggers are welcome!
Contact Simon Venn on 07941 553620 / jampa40@yahoo.co.uk
Highland Rainbow Folk
Highland Rainbow Folk are looking for volunteers aged over 50 to help with presentations to raise awareness of issues facing older LGBT people. Younger volunteers are also welcome to help with other aspects of the group. They meet once a month in central Inverness.
Email: highlandrainbowfolk@gmail.com
Visit their new Facebook page
Email: highlandrainbowfolk@gmail.com
Visit their new Facebook page
SouledOUT!
The latest LGBT-friendly event in Inverness is ecstatic dance sessions for Mind, Body, Spirit. This regular session is held every fortnight at a small cost of £2 per person. The next sessions are Thursday 2, 16 and 30 May. Contact Morgan on 07745 930383 or email morgan@tramstop.org.
The latest LGBT-friendly event in Inverness is ecstatic dance sessions for Mind, Body, Spirit. This regular session is held every fortnight at a small cost of £2 per person. The next sessions are Thursday 2, 16 and 30 May. Contact Morgan on 07745 930383 or email morgan@tramstop.org.
EVENTS CALENDAR:
There's lots happening with groups meeting on a regular basis.
Click here for the FULL CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS.
Waverley Care Highland
Waverley Care Highland now has an outreach team in the following areas on Tuesdays and Thursdays distributing condoms and safe sex information:
- Ord Wood - Tuesday & Thursday 10.30am - 11.00am
- North Kessock - Tuesday & Thursday 11.00am - 12.00pm and 2.30pm - 3.30pm
- Garve - First Tuesday of every month 4.10pm - 4.20pm
- Bught - Second Tuesday of every month 4.00pm - 4.30pm
- Carrbridge - Third Tuesday of every month 4.10pm - 4.30pm
- Nairn - Fourth Tuesday of every month 4.00pm - 4.30pm
Waverley Care also operates a condoms by post scheme in Highland, Argyll and Bute. Condoms can be ordered from their office at 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness (tel: 01463 711585 / email: highland@waverleycare.org). You can also text your order to 07519 708296 or download an order form. Supplies are posted out, free of charge, every 2 months in plain wrappers so the service is completely confidential.
Free and confidential HIV and Hepatitis Testing Services are available at their office at 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness. Full details
Brook Highland
Brook Highland offers
free and confidential counselling and sexual health services to all young people under 25 (including any aspect of sexuality, sex and relationships). Contraception, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, infection screening, etc.
Open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (4pm - 7pm) and Saturdays (12 noon - 3pm) at 77 Church Street, Inverness. No appointments needed. For further info you can call them on 01463 242434.
Brook Highland is now a third party reporter for Hate Free Highland so you can go to them and report any hate incidents/crime anonymously if you wish.
Brook Highland is now a third party reporter for Hate Free Highland so you can go to them and report any hate incidents/crime anonymously if you wish.
Brook has a new campaign which includes info on sexuality and sexual identity so don't worry, you're not alone.
Ask Brook free helpline number 0808 802 1234.
Text service on 81222 also available - click here for details.
If you'd prefer to live in a world which is more open and honest about sex and relationships, celebrates sexuality and embraces individuality - then join the Sex:Positive campaign by Brook. Make your pledge today at sexpositive.org.uk
Highland Sexual Health
Highland Sexual Health provides a free, confidential, one-stop service for men and women. The nurses and doctors are specially trained and their aim is to deal with everyone in a friendly, non-judgmental and sensitive way. Clinics are held in Inverness, Aviemore, Invergordon, Fort William, Mallaig, Wick and Thurso.
They offer free condoms & lubricant, as well as testing & treatment of anyone with symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection, HIV testing & treatment, counselling & testing for Hepatitis A & B. Telephone: 01463 888300.
Rape and Abuse Line (RAL)
Based in Dingwall, Rape and Abuse Line (RAL) aims to support survivors of rape and sexual abuse, however long ago their experiences were.
They offer a free and confidential support helpline answered by women (0808 8000 123)
as well as one answered by men (0808 8000 122). RAL also offers free face to face support and counselling sessions within a wide range of Highland and Island areas.
They can also offer support to families or partners of the person affected.