Spotlight on Local LGBTQ+ Support Groups Across Hull and East Yorkshire

As we look forward to Beverley Pride on 8 August, we want to take the opportunity to shine a spotlight on some of the incredible LGBTQ+ organisations, groups and community initiatives making a difference across Hull, East Yorkshire and the surrounding area.

These groups provide much more than events and activities. They create safe spaces, tackle isolation, build confidence, offer support and help people feel seen, heard and valued. Whether someone is looking for friendship, advice, opportunities to get involved or simply a welcoming community, these organisations are helping people connect and thrive every day.

The voluntary, community and social enterprise sector plays a vital role in building inclusive communities, and the organisations featured below are fantastic examples of this in action. Through youth groups, social networks, community events, advocacy and peer support, they are helping to ensure LGBTQ+ people across our region feel supported, celebrated and empowered.

To help raise awareness of the support available locally, we asked each organisation three questions:

1. What are your group's aims and objectives?
2. Why is Pride important to you?
3. How can people access your group or services?

Read their responses below, learn more about the work they do, and discover how you can get involved.

Rainbow Coffee Mornings (Now The Hull & East Yorkshire Rainbow Collective CIC) 

1. Our group’s aims and objectives are to provide a safe, welcoming social space for all members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community, bridging a gap between age groups, reducing isolation, and creating accessible and free or low-cost events. 

2. Pride is important to us for a number of reasons; showing that there is support out there for people who may not have support at home or in their immediate circles; celebrating the diversity of our community whilst remembering the roots of pride and honouring those who paved the way for us to be ourselves, and challenging oppression and discrimination that still exists today. 

3. People can attend our events (monthly coffee mornings, monthly bi+ boardgame evenings, ad hoc outdoor events), they can follow our social media pages and join our online WhatsApp community, share our events and posts etc. They can get involved in our sister project Rainbow Riot Cabarets by attending our cabaret events which are queer run and raise money for local charities. We also have low-cost merch and a donation pot at events which are completely optional, but if people can put in this goes directly back into our events, and supplies such as tea, coffee etc. 

LGBTQ+ Ambassadors  

1. Our mission is to prevent social isolation in adults who reside in and around the Hull area by creating and sustaining inclusive community activities and mentorship. We aim to foster a supportive environment where every individual can build self-worth and lasting friendships.  

2. Pride is a show of strength and unity for the LGBTQIA+ community. A coming together of the community and its allies, a chance to show that we are human and not monsters. A celebration of the community and the work done by brothers and sisters past and present. 

3. You can access the group by scanning the QR code on our posters or searching LGBTQIA+ Ambassadors on FB. Alternatively, you can pop down to the Freedom Quarter Saville Street and ask in one of the bars Unit 49, Monroe’s, Zinnia or Cherry. We also have a Gmail account: LGBTQ.Ambassadors@gmail.com or to chat, call 07762732149. The only support we ask is a show of unity by attending some of our monthly events, usually first Saturday down Saville Street where you can make new friends, play a few fun games and enjoy an afternoon with like minded individuals 

The Warren  

1. The Warren offers two LGBTQ+ groups that operate in a similar way. Shout is for young people aged 16 to 25 and Step Out is for young people aged 11 - 16 (up until their 17th birthday). Step Out is run in collaboration with Cornerhouse to support young LGBTQ+ people aged 11 - 16 at a weekly group. This is a social group that sometimes does activities - such as beach trips, days out or a party for Halloween. We can average about 20 young people at each weekly session (currently about ten).  

2. The Warren were instrumental in starting Hull Pride all those years ago - in fact it was the Shout group that made it happen, with a handful of passionate and determined young people. Obviously it has grown into something very different from that early tentative start in Queens Gardens. For me personally I have always felt that Pride is a protest and the march is a coming together in all our guises to stand up and be heard, perhaps even more important now given the current climate. I have marched with young people who have been nervous about being visible, but being surrounded by hundreds of fellow community members and supporters from the sidelines has enabled them to feel confident, accepted and able to hold their heads high. In 2017 I was at the front of the march as an older LGBTQ+ person - those people leading the parade being over 50 to highlight 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of lgb people. Turning the corner onto Whitefriargate to be greeted by a crowd so large and welcoming was overwhelming. It's a moment I will treasure forever and I hope that all LGBTQ+ people can feel that love and acceptance in their lives. Pride goes some way to helping that happen and I hope that our groups provide a safe place to support their journey. 

3. If someone wants to come along we ask that they meet with one of us first so that we can talk with them about the group's confidentiality rule, give them some information about how the group works and offer support. For Step Out, they can contact myself - emma@thewarren.org or text me on 07309 000209 or contact my colleague Leah on leahfewlass@wearecornerhouse.org and we will arrange to meet them. All Warren activities are free.  

For SHOUT group: leanor@thewarren.org 

MESMAC BAME Support Group for LGBTQ+ People 

1. A monthly BAME Support Group for LGBTQ+ people which provides a safe space to meet new people, forge community and learn from each other. It runs on a Friday from MESMAC’s Hull office at 8 King Street, Hull.  

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3. People can find specific details and access the group by contacting the group leader Eshe here. Email: e.iluokhauno@mesmac.co.uk or these numbers 07468885951 / 01482 291190 

Goole Pride 

1. The group aims to bring together the local pride community, allowing people to meet others within the community and find solidarity during what are tough times for us. 

We further aim provide new skills and opportunities for members with workshops; inviting guests in to give young people a wide range of experiences, as well as involving young people in the organisation of our yearly event to develop key skills for them. 

2. Pride represents the togetherness of communities that have historically struggled and continue to struggle today. It shows our strength in the face of adversity and lets us know that we are not alone, and we never will be. The persistence of pride tells the world that LGBTQIA+ people are here, and we will never leave; that changes my life, and so many others for the better. That is why pride is so important to me. 

3. For local young people, you or your family can message us on our social media to ask for details on joining our youth group. On 22nd August we will have our yearly pride event where all are welcome to gather and support pride. But any support at all is greatly appreciated, whether you're waving a flag at home, interacting with our social media or out on the streets standing with us. More than anything, spread the word of pride! 

Beverley Pride

1. Our aim is to create safe, welcoming and inclusive spaces where everyone can feel seen, valued and celebrated. While our annual Pride event is our biggest celebration, we also deliver community activities throughout the year that encourage connection, support and champion the LGBTQ+ community across Beverley and the wider East Riding. 

We aim to create a more inclusive community where everyone can be proud to be themselves

2. Pride is important to me because it's all about people. Everyone deserves to feel welcomed, accepted and celebrated for exactly who they are. One of the best things about Beverley Pride is seeing people come together, whether they're part of the LGBTQ+ community, an ally, a family or someone attending for the very first time. If someone leaves one of our events feeling happier, more connected or simply knowing they belong, then we've achieved what Pride is all about. 

3. There are so many ways to support Beverley Pride! Whether it's coming along to our events, sharing our social media posts, volunteering your time or simply helping spread the word, every bit of support makes a real difference. 

We also have our Friends of Beverley Pride volunteer group who help with everything from promoting events and distributing flyers to lending a hand on event days. You don't need any previous experience, just a willingness to get involved and support your local community. 

Most importantly, being an ally, celebrating diversity and helping create a community where everyone feels welcome is one of the biggest ways you can support Beverley Pride. 

Join Beverley Pride

Beverley Pride takes place on 8 August and offers a fantastic opportunity to celebrate diversity, support the LGBTQ+ community and connect with many of the organisations working across our area. The main event will be 12-6pm at Flemingate, with the official Pride after-party taking place at FIREPIT from 5pm until late. Whether you're a member of the community, an ally, a volunteer or attending for the first time, everyone is welcome to be part of the celebration.