The Zhoosh! Brighton Blog
National Coming Out Day October 11th. Groups for LGBT Young People in Brighton
October 11th marks ‘National Coming Out’ Day. For some ‘coming out’ as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or trans (LGBT) can be a liberating experience as they acknowledge who they are, and for others it’s a time of huge turmoil and confusion. For those aged 13-25 in Brighton & Hove there is Allsorts Youth Project who provide a number of different services catering for young people at all stages of the coming out process.
For those under 16 there is TAG, a group that meets on the 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month. For those aged 16+ there is a weekly Tuesday Drop-In from 5.30pm. They also run a women’s Group for those aged 16-25 called No Dress Code on the 1st Thursday of the month and a men’s group for those aged 16-25 called Male Matters which is on the 3rd Thursday of the month.
As well as the groups, the two youth workers provide 121 support, and you can get involved in a youth volunteering programme called Young People’s Voice that focuses on campaigns and events.
You can contact Allsorts by phone 01273 271211 e: bendew@allsortsyouth.org.uk , on Twitter @allsortsyouth, ‘Like’ their fan page: facebook.com/allsortsyouth, or watch their activities on: youtube/allsortsyouth
Coming very soon is a new youth trans network, ‘Transformers’ for those aged 16-25 who are trans or questioning their gender identity.Transformers will meet the last Wednesday of each month, from 5pm to 7.00pm, in a central Brighton location.Their launch will be taking place on Wednesday 26th October and will be at Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AF.
For more info, contact Allsorts at info@allsortsyouth.org.uk
Terrence Higgins Trust with support from Allsorts Youth Project launched a new youth group in July for those aged 16-26 who are HIV+. This runs on the 1st Tuesday of each month. For more information e: Peter Boorman on (01273) 764225. Or email peter.boorman@tht.org.uk
This post highlights just how far we have come in such a short time. It is vital that young people have the opportunity to discuss their sexuality, to know they are not alone. Hopefully in the future Schools across the country will do more for all young people in terms of identity and sexuality.