Gender and Sexuailty

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Resources for LGBTQI+ autistic people

Advonet run self-advocacy workshops for LGBTQI+ autistic adults. Find out more here. 

The Leeds LGBT+ Community Hub is facilitated by Leeds City Council and supported by community members and organisations. The group meets quarterly, however there are various working groups which meet more regularly to focus on BME, Bisexuality, Trans & Gender Identity, inclusive sports and LGBT women.

Out in Leeds is a social group for learning disabled and autistic adults from the LGBTQ+ community, which is organised by People in Action. The group meets weekly in Leeds city centre to talk, get support & advice and have fun together.

Forum Central carried out a mapping project to give a snapshot of the LGBTQIA+ community sector in Leeds as of 01 Oct 2021 to aid funders and others to better support those groups. You can read the report, and view their directory of groups by clicking here. 

DIAL House run a peer led LGBT+ group and a trans / non-binary group. They are a safe, supportive space where you can share your thoughts and feelings and discuss coping strategies. They offer a therapeutic, relaxed, non-judgemental space where you can discuss the difficulties you’re facing and explore coping strategies. They offer a therapeutic, relaxed, non-judgemental space where you can discuss the difficulties you’re facing and explore coping strategies. Find out more. 

Local LGBTQIA* Specific Organisations

• Yorkshire MESMAC are a sexual health charity with offices in Leeds
  
  
• Trans Leeds are a support group for transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people. They run two groups a month and regular social events
  
  
• Non-Binary Leeds is a peer-led support and social group for non-binary people in Leeds and the surrounding areas. They provide practical and emotional support in a safer, friendly environment.
  
  
• Sage Older LGBT+ has undertaken advocacy and networking on behalf of the older LGBTQ+ community, organised a variety of events to help combat loneliness and isolation for its members, provided opportunities to give back to the community through volunteering with Sage and for personal growth through focused training opportunities. 
  
  
• Leeds Gay Men is a group for gay and bisexual men in Leeds and surrounding areas. We hold all kinds of interesting, exciting or just plain fun events.  Social events in an environment where members can meet, relax and make friends while having a great time. They are Social, not sexual, so if you are looking for dating or cruising you need another group!
  
  
• The Leeds Gender Identity Service – this is run by the Leeds and York Partnership Foundation Trust (LYPFT). It is for anyone aged 18 and over who is experiencing gender dysphoria
  
  
• Leeds Gender Outreach Workers host a range of drop-in sessions, support and social sessions for transgender and non-binary people in Leeds 

Resources for autistic women

The Leeds Autism AIM women-aligned group is monthly group run by and for autistic women and femme-aligned non-binary people. The group is there for sharing information, experiences and having themed discussions on topics chosen by group members.

The National Autistic Society have helpful information about gender and autism. You can read it here. 

The Curly Hair Project has a series of books about what it’s like to be an autistic woman. 

The Autism Women’s Network is an organisation run by autistic women. They are based in the US and have a blog full of posts by autistic women. 

The Autistic Women’s Empowerment (AWE) project is based in the UK and have resources relevant to autistic women.