Useful Links

There are other organisations that you may find of interest. If you would like to link your website with London Friend, please don’t hesitate to email us at office@londonfriend.org.uk.

External Organisations based at London Friend
Other LGBT Switchboards in the UK
Safer Sex, STI's and HIV and AIDS
Cultural, Ethnic and Religious Groups
Drugs & Alcohol Advice
LGBT Domestic Violence and Homophobic Hate Crimes
Groups representing Transgender People
Groups representing LGBT disabled people
Other Charities
Youth Groups
Organisations for Older LGBT People
LGB Magazines and Businesses
On-line LGBT Communities and Directories
Private Therapy Practices
Other Organisations

External Organisations based at London Friend

Beaumont Society
The largest and longest-established transgender support group in the UK, it has developed a support network which has been at the forefront of the transgender, transvestite, transsexual and cross-dressing community since 1966.
Website: www.beaumontsociety.org.uk

Stonewall Housing
Housing advice for lesbians and gay men.
Website: www.stonewallhousing.org

Other LGBT Switchboards in the UK

If you would like to know more about the London Friend Helpline, please click here.

Tayside Scotland - Diversitay
Diversitay LGBT Group provides confidential support and information to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people as well as to people who may be questioning their sexuality. They also offer support to anyone struggling to come to terms with the fact that a friend or relative may be LGBT.
Website: http://www.diversitay.org.uk
Tel: 01382 202 620 (Mondays from 7pm to 10pm)

Glasgow Scotland - Crosslynx
Meetings on the second Wednesday of each month (except December) from 7pm-10pm. Contact Crosslynx for more details.
Website: http://www.geocities.com/crosslynx/
Tel: 0141 847 0787 Support for Crossdressers and Transgender (Mondays from 7.30pm to 9pm)

Scotland - Strathclyde Gay & Lesbian Switchboard SGLS
Strathclyde Gay and Lesbian Switchboard was established in 1976 as a support service for people in the West of Scotland experiencing problems relating to sexuality. Today, Switchboard offers a wide range of services to lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transvestites, transsexuals and their families and friends. Four phone lines are open every night of the year from 7pm until 10pm, and all the calls are confidential. Switchboard is a member of the British Association of Counselling and the Scottish Switchboards Association.
Website: http://www.sgls.co.uk
Tel: 0141 487 0447 (7pm to 10pm daily)

Brighton Lesbian and Gay Switchboard
Brighton's Lesbian & Gay Switchboard has been providing a service to the lesbian and gay communities since April 26th 1975. We also provide face to face counselling service with professional counsellors, who are all lesbians or gay men, and a youth project aimed at meeting the needs of lesbian and gay youth under 26.
Website: http://www.switchboard.org.uk/brighton
Tel: (01273) 204050 (5pm to 11pm daily)

London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard
LLGS aim to provide an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people from all backgrounds throughout the United Kingdom.
Website: www.llgs.org.uk
Tel: 020 7837 7324 (10am to 11pm daily)

This section is currently being updated. Please bear with us while this takes place.

Safer Sex, STI's and HIV and AIDS

Avert
AVERT is an international HIV and AIDS charity based in the UK, with the aim of AVERTing HIV and AIDS worldwide.
Website: www.avert.org

GMFA
GMFA is a London-based, volunteer-led gay men's health organisation.
Website: www.gmfa.org.uk

Health Initiatives
Provide Support to young people living with HIV, workshops, free phone and workshops.
Website: www.healthinitiatives.org/
Email: clint@healthinitiatives.org

Positive East
Positive East is a new charity formed from the merger between The London East AIDS Network (LEAN) and The Globe Centre in 2005. Positive East builds on our 18 years of experience of successfully delivering services and enables us to provide more comprehensive and co-ordinated practical and emotional support for those people living with and affected by HIV in East London. Positive East also helps to educate the public around HIV related issues.
Positive East's Website: www.positiveeast.org.uk
Gay Men's Website: www.gaymenswellbeing.com

Naz Project
Naz Project London provides sexual health and HIV prevention and support services to the South Asian, Middle Eastern, North African, Horn of African and Latin American communities in London.
Website: www.naz.org.uk

Terrence Higgins Trust
THT is the leading and largest HIV and sexual health charity in the UK, delivering health promotion campaigns, and national and local services directly to people affected by HIV or at risk. They have now a new service, called +Access, offering one-to-one practical and emotional support to refugees, asylum seekers and African people.
Website: www.tht.org.uk
Helpline: 0845 1221 200
African Emotional Support: 020 7812 1777
Refugee Mentoring: 020 7812 1715

GUM clinic listings
go to: London Friend resources

Cultural, Ethnic and Religious Groups

Africanveil
Africanveil aims to reach out to all those that are in the closet, feel left out and those that feel uncomfortable with their gender as well as answer LGBT queries. Africanveil will update you on latest news in Zambia, Africa and Abroad.
Website: www.africanveil.org

Beit Klal Yisrael
Beit Klal Yisrael organises cultural, social and religious events for Gay and Lesbian Jews and their friends.
Website: www.beit-klal-yisrael.org.uk

IMAAN (Islamic Gay group, formerly Al-Fatiha)
A mixed social support group with advice and information for LGBT Muslim communities within the UK and abroad.
Website: www.imaan.org.uk
Email: info@imaan.org.uk

Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM)
A membership based international ecumenical organisation open to all irrespective of sexual orientation challenging homophobia in the Churches and other Christian communities. We offer support, counselling, publications, groups, conferences and networking opportunities focussed on creating an inclusive Church and welcoming congregations.
Website: www.lgcm.org.uk

Long Yang Club (LYC) London
LYC London is a social / support group that provides a fun and relaxed safe space for gay and bisexual Oriental men and their friends.
Website: www.lyclondon.com

Quest
A group for gay men and lesbians who want to sustain and increase Christian belief among homosexual men and women.
Website: www.questgaycatholic.org.uk

UK Black OUT
Provides a space to disseminate information and for Black LGBT people to interact and discuss issues that are relevant to them.
Website: www.ukblackout.com

UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group
Provides information and advice on immigration rights for same-sex couples and support for lesbian & gay asylum seekers.
Website: www.uklgig.org.uk

Drugs & Alcohol Advice

Antidote - LGBT Drugs and Alcohol Services
Tel: 020 7437 3523
Website: www.thehungerford.org/antidote.asp

New Drug & Alcohol website for young lesbians
Drug and Alcohol Service for London (DASL) has launched the UK’s first drug and alcohol website for young lesbians, young bisexual women, and young women questioning their sexuality. The website provides a much needed source of drug and alcohol information and advice. Created with the involvement of young women themselves it includes tips and advice based on young women’s own experiences. The website, part of the London Councils funded Dazz-Elle project, aims to provide an initial one-stop-shop for young women, to help cope with the pressure of drugs and alcohol in their lives; and provides signposting to Dazz-Elle’s young lesbian support service for any young woman seeking further advice. Responding to the interests of young women, the site has a glossy, pop culture format, features advice, interactive quizzes, drink and drugs information, and sources of advice and support.
Website: www.dazz-elle.org.uk

LGBT Domestic Violence and Homophobic Hate Crimes

Broken Rainbow
Broken Rainbow is a UK-wide helpline service for LGBT people experiencing domestic violence, a confidential listening, information and signposting service. Opening hours for the helpline are:

• Mon 2pm-8pm
• Wed 10 am-1pm
• Thur 2pm-8pm

GALOP
London's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community safety charity. We are a driving force in changing the way our communities are policed and improving service provision for those affected by homophobic and transphobic violence.
Website: www.galop.org.uk

Gay Hate.com
For anyone affected by homophobia, gay hate crimes or queerbashing.
Website: www.gayhate.com

Groups representing Transgender people

Beaumont Society
The largest and longest established transgendered support group in the UK and has developed a support network, which has been at the forefront of the transgender, transvestite, transsexual and cross-dressing community since 1966!
Website: www.beaumontsociety.org.uk

FTM London
FTM London is a self-help group run by FTMs for FTMs. It is a safe place where we can come together and discuss our trans status. FTM London is open to anyone who identifies, or thinks they might identify, or wants to explore their identity as a female to male transgendered or transsexual person.
Website: www.ftmlondon.org.uk
Email: info@ftmlondon.org.uk

GIRES - Gender Identity Research and Education Society
Promotes and communicates research and provides education to all those in a position to improve the lives of people affected by gender identity and intersex issues.
Website: www.gires.org.uk
Email: admin@gires.org.uk

Mermaids
Support and information for children and teenagers who are trying to cope with gender identity issues and for their families and carers.
Website: www.mermaidsuk.org.uk

Spectrum London
Spectrum London is a peer support forum for all Trans people and those questioning their gender... along with partners, family, friends and allies in a safe and comfortable space. Although based in Camden, London, we have members that travel from outside the capital and beyond... so come and have a chat and a cup of tea with us... All are Welcome!

Meetings are held monthly on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm at Trinity United Reformed Church, Buck Street, Camden, London NW1 8NJ.
Website: www.spectrumlondon.org.uk
Email: enquiries@spectrumlondon.org.uk

Groups representing LGBT disabled people

GLAMS (MS Group)
GLAMS is a self help group of lesbians and gay men with MS, which provides social, informational and practical help for its members. The group organises occasional events and provides a regular newsletter. Founded in 1996 with the help of the MS Society. It has it's own pages within the MS Society web site.
Website: GLAMS

REGARD
The national organisation of disabled lesbians, gay men and transgendered people.
Website: www.regard.org.uk

GEMMA
To lesson the isolation of disabled lesbian and bisexual women via a national friendship network, quarterly newsletter and socials. Newsletter is in standard print, large print, tape and Braille. Membership is disabled and non-disabled women, aged 16 to no upper limit.
Email: gemmagroup@hotmail.com

Other Charities

ELOP (East London Out Project)

ELOP is a registered charity (No. 1067474) providing a range of services to members of East London’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities. As a lesbian and gay organisation we are fully aware of the necessity to respond quickly and positively to people experiencing trauma or crisis and who may be at their most vulnerable. Initially we set up to provide much needed high quality and safe emotional support and counselling services. We are now entering our 12th year of operating across East London - including Waltham Forest, Newham, Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham, and Havering. Over the years we have enhanced the services we offer to include community safety initiatives, social and support groups and young people’s services. Additionally, we provide preventative services that promote the health, well-being and safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community members.

ELOP’s - Young Peoples Service, which includes a range of youth support provision & activities, plus a Connexions funded project for young lesbian, gay & bisexual people aged 13-19. Below is some information of our service activities:

Connexions Newham After-School Drop-in – every Monday between 4pm and 6pm (call a youth support worker for an appointment and the location of the drop-in).

Youth Out East (YOE) – a weekly social support group for young lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and those questioning their sexual orientation who are aged 16-21. The group runs every Wednesday evening from 7.00pm to 9.30pm at the ELOP venue in E17. The programme is designed to give young adults who are coming to terms with their sexual orientation and who often feel isolated or stressed, an opportunity to have a safe supportive space where they can chill-out, relax, meet new friends and have fun. In addition the group programme provides an integrated framework of social education, well-being and youth support, empowering youth adults to enhance their confidence, self-esteem & life skills in order to make positive & informed life choices.

LGBT Youth Forum – LGBT? Under 25? Speak Up – Speak Out! Meet with other at this monthly youth Forum. Have your say and input in what matters to you! This meets the third Wednesday of the month from 6.30pm to 9pm @ the ELOP venue in Walthamstow.

New Project SHAPE UP Newham Young Gay men’s Project, RU 16-25… gay, bisexual, attracted to other guys or thinking of having man-2-man relationships… then SHAPE up is for you. To find out the latest of what on offer to join Project Shape Up contact ELOP and open your opportunities to join or use any or all of the following:

Young Gay and Bisexual Men’s Network
Social Events in a Safe and Friendly Gay Space
An electronic mail and text service
A programme of workshops and other events
A ‘Q Card Scheme’ offering a range of support, advice and assistance, sexual health screening, access to HIV testing and Hep B vaccination, plus free supplies of condoms, lube and safer sex resources.
Youth Counselling/ Youth Support Through our young peoples service we also offer one to one support, counselling and guidance on a range of issues including; housing, relationships, sexual health, drug or alcohol usage, bullying at school, self-harm, domestic violence and many other areas that may be affecting the lives of lesbian, gay and bisexual young adults.

Other groups ELOP Offers:

Mondays Men on Mondays Social Group for Gay and Bisexual Men Aged 18+, 7.00-10pm in E17. £2 Weekly Membership

Tuesdays Dykenight Social Group for Lesbian and Bisexual Women Aged 18+, 7.00-10.00pm @ ELOP’s venue in E17. £2 Weekly membership.

Wednesdays Likemindz Social Support Group for LGBT Adults Aged 18+ with mental health support needs and/or learning difficulties, from 3pm to 5pm @ ELOP’s venue in E17 £1 Weekly membership
Tel: 020 8509 3898

FFLAG (Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
FFLAG is an organisation of parents of lesbian daughters and gay sons which seeks to promote the well-being of lesbian, gay and bisexual people, their families and friends.
Website: www.fflag.org.uk

Kairos in Soho
Promoting the well-being of body, mind and spirit for lesbians, gay men and their friends.
Website: www.kairosinsoho.org.uk

PACE
An organisation, which responds to the emotional, mental and physical health needs of lesbians and gay men in the greater London area.
Website: www.pacehealth.org.uk

Samaritans
It doesn't matter who you are - If you are in crisis, despairing or suicidal, contacting the Samaritans can make all the difference to talk about how you are feeling.
Website: www.samaritans.org
Helpline: 08457 90 90 90 (24 hours)

Survivors UK
Supports and provides resources for men who have experienced any form of sexual violence. We aim to actively promote awareness of both the prevalence and effect of the sexual abuse and rape on boys and men.
Website: www.survivorsuk.org
Helpline: 0845 122 1201 (Tuesday & Thursday 19.00 - 22.00)

The Albert Kennedy Trust
Supporting lesbian, gay and bisexual young people.
Website: www.akt.org.uk

The Metro Centre
The Metro Centre Ltd aims to work with self-identified lesbian/gay/bisexual people and those who cannot express their sexuality due to homophobia and heterosexism. It aims to provide services including support, advice, information, events, education, training, and infra-structure to empower both the individual and the community. Based in Greenwich, it works primarily in South-East London.
Website: www.metrocentreonline.org

Overeaters Anonymous
Overeaters Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating.
Website: www.oagb.org.uk

Victim Support Southwark
Victim Support Southwark is an independent charity that supports all victims of crime regardless of whether the crime has been reported to the police. As well as providing emotional support, advice and information. VSS also offers free and confidential counselling, free lock fitting and free support in court to all victims of crime in Southwark.
Website: www.vssouthwark.org.uk

WISH
WISH is a UK based charity that provides long-term, gender-sensitive support services in England and Wales to women who have mental health needs. The focus of WISH’s work is to support women in their journey through the prison and the secure hospital system into the community. WISH pursues its aims in a number of ways, these include providing advocacy for women; building long term, sustainable relationships with women to support them to have a voice in their own treatment and care; delivering training and conferences to practitioners and health care staff; offering a consultancy service; conducting research; providing access to education and training; promoting community inclusion; and campaigning for the rights of women with mental health needs to be recognized and addressed.
Website: www.womenatwish.com

Youth Groups

Balham - Shout!
Tel: 020 8675 0306/ 07956 318 191
Email: shoutyouth@yahoo.com

Brent - Mosaic
Mosaic are a space for young people who find they are attracted to others of the same sex to meet.
Website: www.mosaicyouth.org.uk
Tel: 020 8838 2376 / 07931 336 668

Metro Centre Youth Groups
Metro Youth runs a wide range of different groups across South East London. They’re a great place for you to meet other lesbian, gay, or bisexual people your own age. We offer fun activities like video afternoons, creative sessions, trips up town, workshops, and discussions. You can listen to music, make new friends, talk about stuff you’re going through, and get advice or information on a range of issues.
Website: Metro Centre Youth Groups
Tel: 07811 440 694

Central London - ASK Central London Youth Forum
A forum for LGB young people, the place to exchange ideas and share your views. Bringing a collective voice for change.
Tel: 020 7816 4754 or text 07771 858 057 (speak to Javier for information, dates and venue)

Chiswick - I-Dentity
Tel: 08000 854 036 / 07958 224 557
Email: identityuk@hotmail.com

Ealing - Your Zone
Tel: 080 8896 3673/ 07985 126 442 (Mon-Fri until 19:00)
Email: yourzone@ealing.gov.uk

Earls Court - Court Out at the Basement Project
Tel: 020 7373 2335 (Mon - Fri 10:00 - 16:00) / 020 7370 4324 (Weds 19:00 - 22:00)
Email: courtoutatthebacementproject@yahoo.co.uk

Elephant & Castle - FacinSouth at Faces in Focus
Website: www.facesinfocus.org.uk
Tel: 020 7403 2444 (office hours) / 020 7378 8732 (Tuesdays 5pm to 9pm)
Email: admin@facesinfocus.org.uk

Finchley - First Move (Finchley)
Email: www.outzone.org
Tel: 0800 3899 251/ 020 8348 1785.

Hackney - Staying Out Project
Website: www.geocities.com/stayingoutproject
Tel: 020 8533 2174.

Hammersmith - Out on Thursday
Website: www.outonthursday.org.uk
Tel: 020 7386 9131 (office hours)
Helpline: 08001 694 318
Email: ralph@outonthursday.freeserve.co.uk

Highgate - Outzone @ the PACE Youth Work Service
Website: www.outzone.org
Tel: 020 8348 1785.

Islington - North London Line Youth Project
Tel: 020 7607 8346.

Sutton - L-Mo
Tel: 07754 759 612
Email: L-Mo@scvs.fsnet.co.uk

Twickenham - NRG KR
Wednesdays for LGB (& questioning) youth, social and support, 25 and under. 17:00 - 19:00.
Tel: 020 7816 4554 (Rachel or Tim)
text: 07771 858 057
Email: nrg@tht.org.uk

Waterloo - NRG Central
Tel: 020 7816 4754 (Tim, Mon - Fri) / 020 7620 1819 (Thurs 19:00 - 22:00 plus answer phone)

Youth Group Resource website
Information on Youth Group listings, scene survival guide, real life stories, drug and alcohol info and games and quizzes.
Website: http://www.ygm.org.uk/

Organisations for Older LGBT People

CAFFMOS
Caffmos is an organisation for older, more mature gay and bisexual gentlemen.
Website: www.caffmoscommunity.com

LGB Magazines and Businesses

Diva Direct
for the most comprehensive range of lesbian books, films, toys and gifts online.
Website: www.divadirect.co.uk

Diva Magazine
Whether you are just coming out or just want to keep up-to-date, DIVA is the only place to check out the latest news, reviews and scene info.
Website: www.divamag.co.uk

Gay Times Magazine
The UK’s leading gay life and style magazine… from the latest news, reviews and fashion to a comprehensive national scene and travel guide.
Website: www.gaytimes.co.uk

Gay's The Word Lesbian & Gay Bookstore
The only gay & lesbian bookstore in the UK with a wide range of academic, gender studies, fiction, history, religion books plus plenty of DVD's. We do worldwide mail order and every Wednesday at 8pm Gay's the Word's Lesbian Discussion Group meets in the bookstore.
Website: www.gaystheword.co.uk

Prowler Direct
The UK’s leading gay online store, everything a gay boy could need, delivered fast and at great value.
Website: www.prowlerdirect.co.uk

On-Line LGBT Communities and Directories

The Index - UK Gay Search Engine
The Index - UK Gay Search Engine - Find the best UK gay and lesbian websites.
Website: www.gayindex.co.uk

Gay Crawler
Search Engine for Gays and Lesbians. Through the GayCrawler.com service, users may access more than 25,000 sites in more than 327 categories of specific interest to the Gay and Lesbian community.
Website: www.gaycrawler.com

Gay Data
Gay Data is a new listings service for London's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities. This service provides practical information about non-commercial services in London. The Mayor is pleased to support this initiative, which has been established in conjunction with GAY to Z Directories Limited. Gay Data is currently hosted, maintained and updated by the GAY to Z team.
Website: www.london.gov.uk/mayor/lgbt

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