Day and night, Hurst Street is always buzzing. Birmingham’s Gay Village offers an array of fabulous pubs, bars and nightclubs – many complete with drag shows and cabaret – where queer people can always feel safe and welcome. But being part of the LGBTQ+ community in Birmingham is so much more than a great night out. From low-key book clubs and board game meet-ups to thrill-seeking cricket and hiking groups, there are just some of the LGBTQ+ community groups in Birmingham you can get involved with.
1. Birmingham Swifts
Everyone we know is joining a running club these days. But Birmingham Swifts is specifically aimed at LGBT+ and allies in the West Midlands. Meeting on Thursday evenings (Birmingham City Centre) and Saturday mornings (Cannon Hill Park), these free sessions are for anyone who can run a distance of around 4-5 miles. If you’re not so confident, however, the EA-affiliated running club holds several free Starting Out Sessions to help you run 5k. To learn more head here.
2. Rainbow Voices
Singing your heart out every weekend? Join Rainbow Voices, the Midlands-based community choir for LGBT people. Established in 1995, they perform a variety of rock, pop, classical, folk and musical theatre hits – with a summer and winter concert, as well as at Midlands Pride events and World Aids Day. There are no auditions and new members are always welcome. Regular rehearsals are every Tuesday evening at Longbridge Extra Care Retirement Village from 7.45pm to 9.45pm. To learn more about Rainbow Voices head here.
3. Journey Film Club
If like us, you’re a bit of a film buff, you’ll adore this LGBTQ-friendly film club, showing everything from queer classics to new releases. You’ll find a diverse mix of movies from the non-profit, community pop-up cinema – only for £1 too. Screenings take place on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at the LGBT Centre Birmingham and other venues around Birmingham. To see what’s on head here.
4. Bicycle Adventure Club
It’s not always about being the best. Bicycle Adventure Club is about creating a “friendly, safe & supportive environment” where everyone can reap the benefits of cycling. The queer-run group attracts many from the LGBTQ+ community but has also welcomed allies, parents of queer children, XXL, older, women and neurodivergent riders as well. The cycling club might be based in Birmingham, but you’ll often find it riding throughout the UK and Europe. Alongside cycling events, it also offers several workshops to help you become a better all-round rider.
5. Pink Pineapple People
In Birmingham’s coolest neighbourhood, boardgame fanatics will find a monthly queer meet-up at Pineapple House. On the first Saturday of each month, eat pizza, sit and chat, and play board games til your heart’s content. All food and drink are free too, donations are welcome!
6. Boot Women
Boot Women is an LGBTQ+ women’s walking group that meets monthly for a 5-mile walk. Every second Sunday of the month, women of all abilities are welcome to discover the countryside surrounding Birmingham (A fee of £1 covers admin costs). It also organises plenty of community events, like trips and meals.
Other local walking groups include Rainbow Rambles, which is for all of the LGBTQ+ community in the West Midlands area, and the Western Midlands branch of Gay Outdoor Club. Meanwhile, LGBT+ Nature Connect is specifically aimed at helping you reconnect with nature through LGBTQ+-friendly guided walks, lessons about nature, and other fun social activities around Lickey Hills and Waseley Hills.
7. Birmingham LGBTQ+ Writers
For a city of Birmingham’s size, its literary scene isn’t what it should be. Those championing Brummie writers should be celebrated and Birmingham LGBTQ+ Writers is a space to connect and celebrate queer writers. Both online and offline meet-ups are not only great for talking about writing but writing. Literary fans may also be interested in the LGBT+ book club, Bards and Books.
8. Golden Babs
One for the golden oldies of Birmingham’s vibrant LGBT+ community. Every Tuesday (from 10.30am to 1pm) at the Birmingham LGBT Centre, those aged 50 and over can meet for a range of activities – from coffee mornings to movies, arts and crafts to dance, poetry and music workshops.
9. Queer Photo Collective
A West Midlands-based group for LGBT+ photographers. You don’t need to be a pro with a camera. Just a lover of great photography and passionate about the art form. Follow its Instagram to keep up to date or look for events here.
10. Birmingham Unicorns
Nobody is more cricket-mad than us Brummies – where it’s played everywhere from Edgbaston Stadium to the streets of Handsworth. Birmingham Unicorns is an LGBTQ+ inclusive cricket club based in south Birmingham. Only the second such cricket club in the world, everyone is welcome (including beginners) with home games played at Lapworth Cricket Club, while training sessions are at Weoley Hill.
Two other sports clubs you might be interested in are Moseley Shoals, who hold weekly swimming events at Morris Centre Pool on Thursdays (8.30pm – 9.30pm); and Midlands Out Badminton, which meets every Saturday morning at the Sir Doug Ellis Woodcock Street Sport Centre (on Aston University campus).
If you’d like to learn more about all these LGBT community groups and others in Birmingham head here.