Lesbian and Bisexual Women & Abuse 
Campaign Launches Tomorrow!

Tomorrow - July 1st - marks the launch of the Women's Programme's campaign for lesbian and bisexual women on abuse.

25% of lesbian and bisexual women reported having been a victim of domestic abuse, this is the same percentage as the rest of the population.

Research from the USA also suggests that lesbian and bisexual women have a higher lifetime prevalence for rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner than heterosexual women.

Also, often because of their identities, lesbian and bisexual women experience multiple barriers to reporting and accessing support following abuse, including fears around coming out to professionals and feeling that they won’t be taken seriously if the perpetrator is a woman; fears around bringing shame on their communities, social, cultural and religious, and fears that others will assume that that they are lesbian or bisexual because of the abuse or that the abuse occurred because they are lesbian or bisexual.  

LGBT Foundation’s women’s Programme wants to use this campaign to support lesbian and bisexual women who have been affected by abuse and the community in general by:

- raising awareness of our experiences of abuse
- empowering us to better understand what abuse is
- and help us work together to get support and be supportive.

We will kick off the campaign tomorrow with our social media discussion around key areas of abuse including myths, fears, consent, support networks and shame, using the tag #LBQwomensvoices 

We want as many lesbian, bisexual, queer and questioning women to get involved, give their opinion and show solidarity with those who have been affected by abuse. We will also be sharing the stories that have been submitted to help raise awareness of our experiences of abuse. Click here to read these stories.

Throughout the social media campaign we will be promoting our new free resource ‘What is abuse?: a guide for lesbian and bisexual women'. Click here to download a copy. We also have hard-copies of this resource which we will be distributing to local organisations and events. We want this resources to reach everyone and anyone who might need it, so please help us by sharing our posts on social media and getting in touch if you know of somewhere we should send them to!

We will also be promoting our free event 'Lesbian and Bisexual Women & Violence, Abuse and Coercive Control', which takes place on 14th July, 5:45-9:30pm at MMU Business School. Click here for more information and to book your place. We have an important and inspiring line-up for that event and there will be opportunities to talk to local services, share your experiences and think about ways that we can all support lesbian and bisexual women who have been affected by abuse. 

There are some travel bursaries and free childcare available for those who would otherwise not be able to attend, so please email me if this applies to you. 

Additionally, if you are coming to the event, please email me for the following: 

- If you have any access requirements, including BSL interpreters or language interpreters 
- If you feel that your culture or religion will be impacted upon by attending this event 
- If you are a lesbian or bisexual woman who has been affected by abuse and you want to share your story and experiences on the night, both anonymously or in person. In order to ensure that the event is representative of all lesbian and bisexual women, we are particularly looking for BAMER, trans, disabled, older and young lesbian and bisexual women to share their experiences

If you want to get involved in the campaign in any other way, including helping out at the event or distributing resources, please get in touch: women@lgbt.foundation.

Can she fix it? Yes she can!
July's Beginners DIY Workshop 

This July we have a FREE Beginners DIY workshop for anyone who self-identifies as a lesbian or bisexual woman, *all or part of the time.
 
Over two hours you will learn a range of useful DIY skills, including
 
- How to fill holes in walls
- How to change fuses in plugs
- How to fit wall hangings and put up pictures
- How to fix leaky taps
 
The room will be open from 1:30pm for attendees to grab a drink, sit down and chat.
 
The workshop will be taught by Jen Brierley, owner of the business ‘Handygirl’. Handygirl has been running for four years and Jen undertakes a lot of the smaller jobs that builders and other trades deem too small, such as hanging pictures, putting shelves up, stopping dripping taps, laying new kitchen flooring, painting, garden clearances and much more. Jen's customers include elderly and vulnerable adults, single mums, older ladies and those who generally don’t have time!

All workshop attendees will be offered a 25% discount on full day and half day Handygirl’s services.

For more information and to sign up email women@lgbt.foundation or visit our meet up page: Bisexual & Lesbian Women In Manchester Alternatively give us a call on 0345 3 30 30 30.

Places are limited so please do sign-up beforehand. 

July's Opportunities 

Looking for something to do?

There are so many great events happening this month, we wanted to highlight some of our favourites..

What does Brexit mean? (FREE)
Wednesday 6:00-8:00pm 13th, 20th, 27th July, 3rd and 10th August. 

Brexit stands to change the UK's relationship with Europe and the world, and indeed with itself with rising tensions between classes, generations and nationalities. How can we make sense of what has happened and what will happen in the coming months? The Social Science Centre Manchester will meet five times to discuss Brexit in an open and accessible way.

The aim of the event is to make sense of the different debates, to learn from one another and to find new ways of thinking about Brexit and its implications. Sessions are free and will be held at the Friends Meeting House in Manchester. Book your place here.

Greenham Comes Home - Friday 15th July 6:00pm at HOME in Manchester

This month, queer feminist collective Club des Femmes are bringing their event Bringing Greenham Home to HOME in Manchester. Held previously in London, it will feature a screening of Carry Greenham Home and other short films, as well as talks and discussions. “The women of Greenham Common taught a generation how to protest”, says director Beeban Kidron. Her film covers “the processes underlying the women's decisions, the influence of outside forces, and the verve and style with which they developed their own brand of non-violent direct action". Click here to book your place at this event. 
 

• Manchester Mela - Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st July (FREE)
• Manchester Mega Mela is the largest celebration of South Asian Culture in the North of England. Music, dance, food and traditional arts and crafts bring the sights, sounds and spicy aromas of South Asia to Platt Fields Park each year. The Mela is enjoyed by people from all cultures and religions, approximately 70% of whom are from the South Asian community. For more information, click here.
   
• Film Group at HOME - Saturday 2nd July 4:00pm at HOME Manchester. 

Stories of Faith and Gender Beyond the Binary: The Exhibition on Tour - 30th June - 25th July.

Volunteer Corner: Samantha Steele

Welcome to July's Volunteer Corner and Welcome Samantha Steele!

Samantha has lots of experience working directly with lesbian and bisexual women who are seeking asylum and is going to tell you a bit about what she's bringing to this volunteer role.

Hi everyone! My name is Samantha and I have recently joined LGBT Foundation as a volunteer for the Women's Programme.

I am currently an MA Visual Anthropology student at Manchester University. For my final project, I am working with LGBT asylum seekers in Manchester, examining their personal  narratives and looking at how they are treated whilst in the  asylum process.

Through doing my initial research for my masters, it has become apparent that there needs to be an outlet that caters specifically to the needs of lesbian and bisexual women asylum seekers. I see the Women's Programme as being capable of doing this, and believe it will be able to provide a strong support network for these women.

There are several reasons as to why I wanted to get involved with LGBT Foundation, and in particular why I wanted to volunteer with the Women's Programme. I firmly believe that wherever a person lives, it is important to give back to the community around you. As soon as I arrived in Manchester, I came to witness the vibrancy of its gay community and, as a straight female, I was accepted into this community by several of its members...

Click here to read the rest of Samantha's story.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for the Women's Programme, please email volunteer@lgbt.foundation

The following is a list of groups and events in and around Greater Manchester which are for or of particular interest to lesbian and bisexual women. Unless otherwise stated, these events are not associated with LGBT Foundation and event organisers should be contacted directly for further information – follow the hyperlinked text to find out more (this will take you to a relevant webpage or the relevant contact's email address). If you’d like to see an event or activity listed here in the future please email details to women@lgbt.foundation.

Click on the hyperlinked text to jump to each section of the calendar:

Social & Support Groups
Sports & Outdoor Activities
Nights Out & Special Events
Advice, Skills & Volunteering

Social & Support Groups

Bloomers Older Women's Group - at LGBT Foundation

Stepping Stones LBQ Women's Support Group - a 14 session programme at LGBT Foundation which acts as a safe space for lesbian, bisexual and questioning women who have just come-out or are new to the area

Carousel LBQ Women's Social Group - a relaxed social group for lesbian, bisexual and questionning women at LGBT Foundation

Rainbow Noir - Rainbow Noir is a social and peer support group for people of colour who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Queer and/or Intersex (LGBTQI) - Manchester's LGBT Centre, Sidney Street. 

Lesbian Immigration Support Group - LISG is a group of women in Greater Manchester who are lesbian and bisexual asylum seekers and refugees and their supporter - Pankhurst Centre, Manchester.

LGBT Women's Book Club at LGBT Foundation

BiPhoria - BiPhoria is a social and discussion group for bisexual people and those questioning their sexual orientation who think they might be bisexual

First Wednesday Group - support group for LGBT asylum seekers at LGBT Foundation

Survivors for Survivors - support group for female survivors of sexual violence at 56 Oxford Street

Film Group at HOME - social group for lesbian & bisexual women who want to watch a film together at HOME arts centre

SM Dykes - aim to support lesbian and bisexual SM-ers through meetings and play parties at Manchester LGBT Centre, Sidney Street

Better Things group for LGBT adults with a learning disability at LGBT Foundation

LGBT Professional Networking - Manchester LGBT Professional Networking events are a great opportunity to meet LGBT professionals from a range of industries, living or working in the Manchester area.

Manchester LGBTQ Polyamory Network - This Facebook group is a place for support, discussion, resources and organising. 

Film Group for lesbian and bisexual women at HOME - a film and social event for lesbian and bi women which usually meet every first Saturday of the month at HOME, Manchester.

Queer Muslim Support Group - a social and support group for people who identify as LGBT and Muslim which meets at LGBT Foundation.

Sports & Outdoor Activities

Manchester Lynx women's basketball training at Loreto High School, Chorlton

Manchester Frontrunners women's Wednesday run at Sugden Sports Centre

Manchester Stingers women’s football training at Trinity Sports Centre

Northern Wave Women's Swimming Session  at Hough End Leisure Centre

Manchester Canalsiders Rugby League & Touch Rugby Training at Wright Robinson Sports College

Northern Aces LGBT Tennis Club training at Sportcity

Sole Sisters Walking Group lesbian and bisexual women's walking group that walks in Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales.


Nights out & Special Events

Stories of Faith and Gender Beyond the Binary: The Exhibition on Tour - Thursday 30th June - 25th July

Sparkle and TransMCR -Saturday 9^th and Sunday 10th July,10:00-6:00pm - Sackville Gardens and LGBT Foundation (FREE)

What does Brexit mean? - Wednesday 6:00-8:00pm 13th, 20th, 27th July, 3rd and 10th August. (FREE)

Lesbian and Bisexual Women & Violence Abuse and Coercive Control - Thursday 14^th July, 5:45pm-9:30pm, MMU Business School

Pen:Chant - Thursday 14^th July 7:30-10:30pm at Gullivers, Northern Quarter: 

Club Zindagi - MEGA Eid celebration - Friday 15th July 10:00pm-4:00am at Tribeca 

Greenham Comes Home - Friday 15th July 6:00pm at HOME in Manchester

Manchester Mela - Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st July (FREE) 


Advice, Skills, & Volunteering

Legal Advice Surgery  at LGBT Foundation

Police Surgery at LGBT Foundation 

Beginners DIY workshop, July 16th at LGBT Foundation