Bristol LGBTQ+ Partnership
The Bristol LGBTQ+ Partnership is a network of local LGBTQ+ community groups and organisations.
It brings together grassroots LGBTQ+ community groups and charitable organisations providing specific services to local LGBTQ+ people, to create and amplify a collective voice.
Our vision
The Bristol LGBTQ+ Partnership aims to fill a gap for local LGBTQ+ communities by providing a centralised forum to develop and use a collective voice to make positive change for local LGBTQ+ people.
The partnership also supports LGBTQ+ community groups and organisations to develop and grow. Our vision is to create thriving, well-funded and cohesive services for the LGBTQ+ community locally.
What does the partnership do?
The Bristol LGBTQ+ Partnership hosts quarterly events that are open to all LGBTQ+ community groups and organisations.
This includes grassroots and volunteer-led community groups, as well as employees of charities and social enterprises providing specific services or activities to local LGBTQ+ people.
At these events, we discuss important issues that are affecting the local LGBTQ+ people we support, and what actions we can take collectively to address them.
The events are also an opportunity to network with other LGBTQ+ community organisers, share skills and resources, and gain knowledge and information about running LGBTQ+ community groups or services.
Outside of these events, the Bristol LGBTQ+ Partnership advocates for the needs of local LGBTQ+ people and works with decision makers across different sectors to create positive change for our LGBTQ+ communities.
Why does the partnership exist?
The local LGBTQ+ community is facing increasing rates of hate crime, high rates of poor mental health, and health inequalities. Additionally, some LGBTQ+ community groups and organisations have closed in recent years, and services for the local LGBTQ+ community are comparatively underfunded.
There currently is no central LGBTQ+ organisation in Bristol to provide support to LGBTQ+ community groups and to advocate for the needs of the local LGBTQ+ community.
The Bristol LGBTQ+ Partnership aims to address these issues and held its first event in November 2023.
The partnership aims to develop a strategic, unified voice, share knowledge, and create community cohesion.
The Bristol LGBTQ+ Partnership has been granted funding until 2027 by the National Lottery Community Fund; thank you to National Lottery players for your support.
How does the partnership work?
The LGBTQ+ partnership is currently run by an interim steering group, comprised of LGBTQ+ community groups and charities and social enterprises providing specific services to LGBTQ+ people.
The members of the interim steering group are:
How to get involved
The Bristol LGBTQ+ Partnership hosts quarterly events that are open to all LGBTQ+ community groups and organisations.
Are you a volunteer with an LGBTQ+ community group, or do you work for a charity or social enterprise with specific services for LGBTQ+ people?
You can get involved in the following ways:
- Join us at our next Bristol LGBTQ+ Partnership event! Check the Voscur events page to see the next date.
- Sign up to be part of our email discussion group to hear the latest news about the partnership, and share ideas and news with other LGBTQ+ community groups and organisations.
If you’d like to get in touch with us, please email spencer@voscur.org.
