LGBT Families

A casual drop-in for anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+ who wants a safe space to chat and meet. Held in The Nest Community Centre every Tuesday with free tea, coffee and biscuits, we talk about any topic but also are eager to find out what our local LGBTQIA+ community wants and needs.

Join the **Gayzelles Running Club** for a fun way to both keep fit and socialise with other LGBTQIA+ people in our local area! We meet at 6.30pm every Tuesday outside The Javan Coker Foundation Centre (47 Abbey Grove, Abbey Wood, London SE2 9EU, 10 minutes walk from Abbey Wood station) The lake loop is about 5-6 KM and don't worry about your pace! We support runners of all speed. The course will pass Lesnes Abbey Woods, around the Southmere Lake and return to the start. Afterwards, there may be a chance for a bit of a social if people feel like doing so. We look forward to seeing you there! 🌈 Follow us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gayzelles/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/clubs/gayzelles

Bi the Way is a regular social group for bi and pan people (or other bi+ identities) who are over 50. Once run by Opening Doors London, a 50+ LGBT charity, Bi the Way is now continues independently thanks to 2 lovely hosts. It is now on the SECOND Monday of each month at the London LGBTQ Community Centre. There is often a visiting speaker to talk on a relevant topic or a themed discussion planned for the first part. ⚫Accessibility: * Closest station: Blackfriars (southeast exit of mainline station) which is step-free - centre is next to the Tate-side exit * Bus Routes: Blackfriars Road Stop SM - 381, N343, N381; Black Friars station South Entrance Stop D - 40, 63, N63, N89. * Accessible Toilets: No - suggest using Tate Modern (until 6.00 pm) or the Founders arms pub opposite (if after 6.00 pm Mon-Thu) which has a ramp and disabled toilet * Disabled Car Parking: Yes, Blue badge parking space near venue; [click here](https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/parking/disabled-badge-holders#:~:text=The%20Blue%20Badge%20scheme%20does,with%20disabilities%20who%20are%20permanent) for more details * Car Parking: Street parking on Hopton Street; max stay 2 hours £6.50 per hour * Induction Loop: No * BSL service: No * Step Free access: Yes * Wheel Chair Access: Yes ⚫ Tickets/Registration? There are [Eventbrite events](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bi-the-way-over-50s-tickets-964380527117) posted for it but signing up for these is not required. ⚫ More Info: To keep up to date with what's happening with the group, please email: [sophiebtwgroup@gmail.com](mailto:sophiebtwgroup@gmail.com) Sadly ODL had to close due a lack of funding ([reference the announcement](https://www.openingdoors.lgbt/News/important-closure-announcement-for-opening-doors) / [archived versions](https://web.archive.org/web/*/https://www.openingdoors.lgbt/News/important-closure-announcement-for-opening-doors*)). The old Bi the Way event details at Opening Doors London website (while the website is still up): [https://www.openingdoorslondon.org.uk/bi-the-way-meetup](https://www.openingdoorslondon.org.uk/bi-the-way-meetup) Venue website: [londonlgbtqcentre.org](https://londonlgbtqcentre.org/)

**Space is limited so book and pay early to avoid disappointment.** This evening workshop provides a perfect opportunity to experience the deep and insightful Systemic Constellations process in an intimate group setting. A unique and powerful therapeutic method for self-exploration, understanding core behaviours, removing blocks, and reintroducing movement and growth. It is used as a major resource in supporting healthy relationships, working through trauma, and assisting in depression treatment. **Issue Holder (client) and Representative spaces are available, please follow the link to book:** **For Representative (Participant) Booking £35** **[https://calendly.com/illiadato/in-person-family-constellations-evening-workshop](https://calendly.com/illiadato/in-person-family-constellations-evening-workshop)** **For Issue Holder (Client) Booking £175:** If you wish to attend as an Issue Holder at this workshop and have your own Constellation done please email your request to: [ih@londonconstellations.uk](http://ih@londonconstellations.uk/) Read comments of workshop participants here: [https://bit.ly/33Asprs](https://bit.ly/33Asprs) **WHAT ARE SYSTEMIC CONSTELLATIONS?** The Systemic Constellations method is a unique therapeutic process of exploration of the forces that move us in life. Such forces are often appearing as difficulties or a sense of being 'stuck' in life, affecting our behaviour, relationships, career, health/wellbeing, or even financial circumstances. This method provides a three-dimensional ‘map’ of one’s life as it is at present. It is a simple yet powerful way to explore entanglements and blockages in our personal life and our family history. The method brings awareness and clarity into personal challenges by focusing the client on the root cause of such difficulties. Constellations provide an opening for a positive life shift and present ways for deep healing processes to occur. **WHAT HAPPENS IN A CONSTELLATION SESSION?** In Constellations work the ‘client’ is referred to as the ‘Issue Holder’. The method uses workshop participants as ‘Representatives’ to stand in for key people in the client’s life such as family members, colleagues, partners, ex-partners, etc., sometimes ‘abstract’ concepts such as an emotion, country of origin, religion, or destiny are also represented. All participants are invited to take part as Representatives. Workshop participants often report (see reviews: [https://bit.ly/33Asprs](https://bit.ly/33Asprs)) experiencing profound insights into their own lives by simply witnessing the process, regardless of how they choose to take part. **WHY DOES THIS WORK?** Scientific research shows that the experiences of your ancestors can determine your behaviour today and affect future generations.\*\* Recent scientific research into DNA reveals that a component named epigenetics is embedding the effect of a traumatic experience by altering the genetic structure. It means that some of our behaviour patterns can be attributed to traumatic events in our family history. This notion has always been one of the guiding principles of Systemic / Constellations Therapy, a form of work that is dedicated to exposing and dealing with issues emerging from our family system. *“It is only now that science is catching up with what is evident in Systemic Constellations work and visible in every one of our therapy sessions; trauma in the family history directly affects future generations' behaviour"* Illi Adato MD Our group provides a safe space where deep personal work is done and where maintaining confidentiality and respect for each other's privacy is paramount. **\*\* DNA research paper and news articles:** Discover - Grandma's Experiences Leave a Mark on Your Genes [https://bit.ly/3dLwEkK](https://bit.ly/3dLwEkK) BBC News - "Memories" pass between generations [http://bbc.in/1dNShPe](http://bbc.in/1dNShPe) **Facilitated by Illi Adato** MA Lon\. Inst\. SQHP\. Crt\(HYP\)\. Crt\(COACH\)\. Systemic\, Organisational & Family Constellations member of ISCA \| Hypnotherapy member of GHR \(UK\) & IHF \(USA\) \| Tune\-In Counselling \| Advanced NLP Therapeutic Specialist™ *** 💬**Personal one-to-one counseling** can be combined with group work. **Book here: [https://calendly.com/illiadato/1st-personal-session](https://calendly.com/illiadato/1st-personal-session)** **VIDEO COURSES** 📌 Watch anytime \| 📩 Instant access after payment **Becoming a Bridge - Working with Death As a Key Resource In Constellations** £19 Explore the transformative power of death in Systemic Constellations with Illi Adato in this recorded 1.5-hour video course. Designed for facilitators, practitioners, and those drawn to deep experiential learning, this session offers practical insights into holding space for loss and transition. **🛒ACCESS HERE: [https://calendly.com/illiadato/becoming-a-bridge-video-course](https://calendly.com/illiadato/becoming-a-bridge-video-course)** **Constellations, Systemic Principles & How They Affect Us - Video Crash Course** £6 Explore the hidden forces shaping your life with this **recorded mini-course** by Illi Adato. Learn the **Orders of Love**, uncover deep-rooted patterns, and experience a guided **HypnoConstellations™** process for personal healing. **🛒ACCESS HERE: [https://calendly.com/illiadato/systemic-principles-crash-video-course](https://calendly.com/illiadato/systemic-principles-crash-video-course)** Have questions? Reach out: [office@londonconstellations.uk](http://office@londonconstellations.uk/) Looking forward to another moving experience of learning together! London School of Systemic & Family Constellations

We are back to in person pub every month! At the Sir John Oldcastle Pub right by Farringdon station. Reachable by three tube lines, national rail and bus routes. First Tuesday of every month. PLEASE NOTE WE ARE NOT A SEX/SWINGERS CLUB! PLEASE READ THE GROUP DESCRIPTION BEFORE JOINING While this is a free event, I'd like to request that those attending the social make a voluntary donation of £1 to help cover the admin costs of Meetup.com: https://ko-fi.com/ldnpolyam This meetup group is for anyone who is interested in openly and honestly loving more than one partner - you may call yourself polyamorous or non-monogamous or any other label you prefer, but if you are interested in having, or currently have multiple romantic and/or sexual relationships where all concerned are consenting and in full knowledge, you are welcome to come along and chat with others who understand those choices. This is NOT a dating group of singles! If you are actively looking for a partner, that's fine, but the group is not set up for the purpose of matchmaking, and some of our members are pretty "polysaturated" (i.e. they have as many relationships as they want and are not looking for more!) I'd hate for anyone to come along expecting that everyone there is looking for new partners and then be disappointed. If you are looking for new partners, look out for things like Poly Speed Dating nights, Poly Cocktails and try looking online at, for example, okcupid.com. If you receive unsolicited "let's meet" or other predatory messages from a member, please forward them to the admin team. We aim to be a safe space for everyone. Come along and talk to others about how they found their partners, too, if you like. We are a friendly group and not known to bite. ;-) You can find us by looking for the plush and inflatable parrots on our tables, or for Angus' blue hair. Alternatively ask at the bar for "Angus' group", "The poly group", or "the parrot people". We're usually in the area towards the back of the pub.

Join us next Tuesday where we’ll be cross- stitching some bookmarks!

Join the **Gayzelles Running Club** for a fun way to both keep fit and socialise with other LGBTQIA+ people in our local area! We meet at 8.45am every Saturday by Woolwich Works (The Fireworks Factory 11 No. 1 Street London SE18 6HD, 5 minutes walk from Woolwich station) The Parkrun is called [Thamespath Woolwich](https://www.parkrun.org.uk/thamespathwoolwich). Make sure you have your Parkrun ID handy. It is a 5KM run or walk, but we encourage you to run your best! Afterwards, we regroup for a hot drink at a nearby cafe. We look forward to seeing you there! 🌈 Follow us Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/gayzelles/](https://www.instagram.com/gayzelles/) Strava: [https://www.strava.com/clubs/gayzelles](https://www.strava.com/clubs/gayzelles)

Join us for our monthly Sunday group walk in Lesnes Abbey Woods! Enjoy some fresh air, beautiful surroundings, and get to know other LGBTQIA+ people in your local area. This will be a relaxed walk with the intent of socialising and getting to know other members of the group. Each participant is free to set their own pace. We'll meet from 10:30am outside Chestnuts Kiosk (on the side of the Lodge where refreshments are served, facing onto the Monk's Gardens), where you can grab yourself a drink to keep warm and introduce yourself to your fellow walkers. We'll set off at 10:45am. At the end of the walk, we'll return to Chestnuts Kiosk where everyone will be welcome to get another drink, relax in the Abbey's grounds, and continue chatting with each other (and maybe even reward yourself with a nice slice of cake!) ☔ This meetup will still go ahead if it's raining (to a reasonable degree!) However, if the weather is forecast to be particularly bad or potentially dangerous, we'll reschedule the activity with as much notice as possible. 🐶 Dogs, families and friends are more than welcome! While the park and gardens of Lesnes Abbey are accessible for wheelchairs and buggies, many areas of the woods have steep hills or steps. You can [check the park's facilities and accessibility information](https://www.lesnesabbeywoods.org/plan-your-visit/facilities-and-accessibility/) to find out more about accessibility at Lesnes Abbey.

Join us for our weekly LGBT Climbing Social every Wednesday, a welcoming space for the LGBT community to connect, climb, and have fun! Whether you're new to climbing or a seasoned pro, this social is all about building a supportive community and celebrating our shared love for the sport. This is a relaxed, no-pressure environment designed to help you enjoy climbing while meeting like-minded people. Open to all to all members of the LGBT+ community aged 18 and over. Cost: off peak entry when you say you are joining the LGBT climbing club at reception - £12 - nil charge for gear hire Note concessions available for Blue light card holders, students, and over 65s (need to bring with you) Come solo or bring a friend – everyone is welcome! Let’s climb, chat, and share some good vibes. We can’t wait to see you there! For any questions, feel free to contact us in advance.

Join us for our regular **Tabletop Games Night** at The Moorings Sociable Club! 🎲 Taking place on the second and fourth Fridays of each month, we play a variety of board games, card games and TTRPGs (tabletop roleplay games). There'll be separate tables depending on what you'd like to play, and you're also very welcome to bring your own games too. TTPRGs that we've previously played include Dungeon Crawl Classics, Honey Heist, 'Til The Last Gasp and Mausritter. New players and game observers are always welcome! You're also welcome to bring any friends with you who are allies of the LGBTQIA+ community. You're welcome to bring whatever food, snacks and drinks you like, including alcoholic drinks. However, we ask you to please avoid any food containing nuts for the safety of other players with allergies.

**One quick note on how the community works** **L Community is member-funded.** The standard contribution is **£13 per month** to cover the platform, events, moderation, and safeguarding. If £13 isn’t workable for you right now, you can opt out for now. Support can be changed or cancelled at any time. Support the platform: [www.thelcommunity.com/back-us-now](www.thelcommunity.com/back-us-now) **What this is** A relaxed weekly night for drinks, conversation, and meeting other lesbian and bisexual women in real life. Women usually range from their 20s through to their 60s. Most weeks it’s a genuine mix of new faces and returning women, so you won’t be the only person arriving for the first time. Most people come on their own. That’s normal here, and we make sure you don’t feel it. Hosts introduce people, keep things flowing, and make it easy to settle in without pressure. There’s no requirement to drink, talk constantly, or impress anyone. You can arrive quietly, chat a bit, sit back, or leave early. All of that is fine. If you’re feeling nervous, you won’t be the only one. Many women feel that way before their first event and end up staying longer than they expected. **Important** This is a **female-only lesbian space**. That boundary is clear and upheld at events. If that doesn’t work for you, this won’t be the right event. **How to attend** You must register in advance to attend. Register here: [www.thelcommunity.com/meet-mingle/](https://thelcommunity.com/meet-mingle/) **Arriving and support** Table booking is under the name **Jenny**. If you’re nervous, arriving alone, can’t find us, or have any difficulty at all, you can message at any point — days before, on the day, or during the event. If it helps, we can have someone come outside to meet you. **WhatsApp Jenny** WhatsApp only (calls or messages): **+44 7591 386019** Normal calls or texts will not go through on this number. **Staying connected** Registering for an event is separate from joining the wider community. If you’d like to stay connected between events, access the private WhatsApp group, and join the wider network, you can register here: [www.thelcommunity.com/go](www.thelcommunity.com/go)

**This month’s Creativity Circle is very timely. We will be making our own craft flowers out of paper, coffee filters, popsicle sticks, sparkles, cupcake liners, pipe cleaners and more! All ages welcome, show up as you can, bring a friend or a few if you would like to! Excited to see you there! Seats Limited. Held at the Westerville Public Library Meeting Room B.**

Join us this Pride season to paint your own pride on rocks, paper, canvas, and yes- we are bringing back the bricks! Come create and paint with us. Seats and supplies limited! Come while you can for as long as you like! Westerville Public Library Meeting Room D.

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.

Join us for our May Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Cantoras](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)*[ ](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)by [Caro de Robertis](https://caroderobertis.com/bio/) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

It's official, submissions for "Resistance, Resilience, Utopia" are are on their way from being independent pieces to becoming the second volume of gINKgo. This year we are going to have a launch party at Birdie Books on May 15th from 6-8pm open to the whole community! Come on over and help us support the creators with food, drinks, art, writing, open mic, music, community activities and more.