Our key drive is in developing conversation, discussion, debate and activities towards building an ethical, inclusive, involved, collaborative, equitable and economically sustainable LGBTQ+ community in Leeds.
History of Leeds LGBT+ Forum
Our founding
In the three years leading up to the founding of Leeds LGBT+ Forum, we researched documentation and talked to many tens of people in Leeds to find out what was and had been going on, what the gaps were, and what the needs and wants of LGBT+ people were.
Leeds LGBT+ Forum was founded at our inaugural meeting on 25 June 2019 at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, Leeds. It was attended by 38 people and over 60 ideas, wants and needs were discussed at round-table workshops – with distinct themes emerging – and fed into the plenary group.
What we do
We held regular meetings across a number of venues (thank you Mesmac, Yorkshire Dance, Skyline, Leeds City Council) which were attended by a variety of individuals with personal and organisational interest. From this we gleaned understanding and specialist input which lent itself to scoping our wider endeavours.
Leeds LGBT+ Forum is hosted and supported by Health for All – Leeds, a charity who have been meeting the needs of people in south Leeds for
30 years, enabling the poorest and most vulnerable communities to overcome the challenges of health and social inequality; and who continue to respond to the changing needs of individuals and communities across Leeds and beyond.
AND we’re BIG into LGBT+ History Month – and all that the national organisation does and provides.
How we work
Further to our committee, we have a wider core group (that we want to build on), representing diverse strands of Leeds organisations, LGBT+ communities and cultures. In this way we can provide insight, knowledge, experience, expertise and dedicated involvement according to expressed needs.
The organisational structure and culture of Leeds LGBT+ Forum comprises many elements of ‘what’s already out there’ – attitudes, ethics, research, models and processes that are known to work well. We operate uniquely with a sound psychological, community development and holistic health underpinning and work towards #queering the world.
Pledge your support
If you’re interested or would like to know more, please register on our pledge page.
We are LGBTQ+ people only *except for parents, carers and support workers accompanying people attending our activities.
In regard of our work with under 18 year-olds, we include ‘W’ for wondering, encouraging non-mainstream open-mindedness and fluidity, and supportive socialising.
