Other community groups

In the directory below you will found a list of LGBT community groups. Alongside a small snippet of what the goups do is their most up to date contact details and website links. Please feel free to contact the centre for any further information about any of the groups.

The centre is endeavouring to support and nuture new groups within the LGBT community. Click here to find out more.

AA - Is your drinking causing you problems? In AA, individuals who want to stop drinking meet to support each other to stay sober. Meetings are friendly and discreet and your anonymity will be respected. Whilst AA is a non restrictive organisation, and therefore LGBT people are welcome at any AA meeting, AA runs the following LGBT meeting in Edinburgh: Tuesday - 8pm, Edinburgh Peace and Justice Resource Centre, St John's Church, Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4BJ Please note that the last meeting of the month is open to non AA members.

There are also LGBT meetings in Glasgow:

Tue & Thu 7.30pm (Nye Bevan House, 20 India Street)

Fri 7.30pm (The Ogilvie Centre, 25 Rose Street).

Tel: 0845 769 7555 (24 hours) National Helpline

Tel: 0141 226 2214 AA Northern Service Office

Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

BearScots - The Scottish social group for hirsute men and their admirers. The group was founded in 2000 and now has nearly one hundred members from both Scotland, and around the world. BearScots hold monthly social events in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, and host an annual 'BearScotFest' weekend in Edinburgh each October. BearScots also run regular trips and visits across Scotland and around the UK. Membership is not required for all social events; however, joining BearScots will get you a regular newsletter, access to some of our members' only events, discounts at various retailers and on BearScots merchandise.

BearScots contact information is

Tel: 0131 600 0170

Email: info@bearscots.org.uk

Website: www.bearscots.org.uk

Caffmos – A group for mature gay men and their admirers, part of a national network. The group meets on the 3rd Sunday of every month in Cafe Habana, Greenside Place, 1pm till around 4pm.

For more information on the group and activities worldwide contact

Email: caffmoscommunity@yahoo.com (Caffmos general)

Email: ebsc18624@blueyonder.co.uk (Edward, meeting coridiator)

Website: www.caffmoscommunity.com

Caledonian Thebans RFC - The Thebans are Scotland's first gay/bi friendly rugby club. This open and friendly club offers gay/bi/trans men the chance to learn the game and play rugby in a safe and supportive environment, though all sexualities are welcome. New players (18+), at whatever level or experience, and new supporters are equally welcome to the club. The Thebans train twice weekly on Thursdays at 7pm and Saturdays at 1pm.

If you are interested in playing or supporting gay rugby in Scotland or know someone who does, get in contact

Tel: 07758 668 784

Email: membership@thebans-rfc.co.uk

Website: www.thebans-rfc.co.uk

Edinburgh Gay Men’s Chorus - The Edinburgh Gay Men’s Chorus formed in 2007 and currently has over 20 active singing members. Their repertoire includes show tunes, pop, rock, country and Scottish songs. Their aim is to make the chorus fun for our members – and the audience! The group currently meets on Tuesday evenings 7.30pm – 9.30pm at Dance for All, 106 St Stephen's Street, Stockbridge, EH3 5AQ.

Email: join@egmc.co.uk

Website: www.egmc.co.uk

Edinburgh Lesbian Mothers Group - This group is currently winding down activities, due to a lack of interest, and is in the process of being handed over to the Equality Network.

For more information

Email: en@equality-network.org

Edinburgh Quaker Lesbian and Gay Fellowship - The group warmly invites anyone interested to join them on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7pm-9pm for company, conversation, and a short meeting for Quaker worship. Meetings are now at the Glasite Meeting House on Barony Street, new members are always welcome and the group can be contacted via the Centre.

Edinburgh LGB Running Group - Meets 6.30pm (prompt!) on Wednesday nights at the Jawbones, The Meadows. Everybody made welcome from complete beginners to the more experienced. You can just turn up, but best to get in touch first so they can expect you. Contact Robert by

Tel: 07738 939 836

Email: robert.cole@gocscotland.org

Gay Birders Club - If you enjoy bird watching or would like to, and want to share your hobby with lesbians and gay men in a friendly, relaxed environment, then the GBC is for you. The Club runs day and weekend trips every weekend, throughout the UK, and holidays at home and abroad. As a member, you will also receive the quarterly magazine Out Birding and be able to join the GBC e-group. To join the GBC (for a very reasonable price!); please complete the Membership Application Form (available on the website). For more information contact Annie Garven

Tel: 0131 552 6333

Website: www.gbc-online.org.uk

Gay Dads Scotland - There are all sorts of Gay fathers: confident to isolated; religious to agnostic; out to closeted; Married, separated, divorced, adopters and donees. GDS provides a supportive environment where gay fathers can meet others and talk about the issues in their lives. Meetings are held in a private room at Café Sala, 58 Broughton St on the last Thursday of the month at 8pm. For more information

Tel: 07791 188 742

Email: info@gaydadsscotland.org.uk

Website: www.gaydadsscotland.org.uk

Post: PO Box 23825, Edinburgh, EH3 6UB.

The Gay Outdoor Club - Operates throughout the UK and provides a wide range of outdoor and indoor sports and recreational activities for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender men and women. GOC has over 1500 members and offers up to one hundred meets per month, in this country and overseas. There is a local group based in Edinburgh which arranges regular day walks, cycling, mountain biking, running, swimming, and kayaking, as well as social events. There are also mountaineering, caving, and rock climbing groups, which organise weekend and longer events further afield. Contacts are as follows

Walks/Mountain Biking: andrew@gocscotland.org.uk
Cycling/Running/Kayaking/Sailing: rob@gocscotland.org.uk
Mountaineering: mountaineering@gocscotland.org.uk

Website: www.gocscotland.org.uk

HotScots - Scotland's very first LGBT group for football players and fans alike. They currently organise regular socials and kick-abouts, and would love to hear from anyone anywhere in Scotland who would like to take part. There is an entire Gay League in England, and in time, they hope to organise friendlies and competitive games up and down the country. However, all ability levels are welcome, and the social side is just as important as the playing - so what are you waiting for?

For further information, please contact Kevin Rowe on

Email: kevrowe72@yahoo.co.uk or

Email: mail@hotscotsfc.com

Website: www.hotscotsfc.com

Text: Football to 60300 (Texts cost 25p)

The Ladybirds Book Group – Group meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7.45pm. The reading list is a mixture of fiction and non-fiction. There may be a waiting list to join this group but contact Carol for more information.

Email: carol_purcell@hotmail.com

Lesbian Social Group – Group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 8pm at the Regent on Montrose Terrace - all are welcome.

Lilidots - Walking group for lesbian women. Walks are held on the 1st Sunday of every month, usually with a 10am start. Most walks take in a hill, (often a Munro, sometimes more) and the length of walk depends on the amount of daylight available. A low level alternative is usually offered too. Women travel from throughout Scotland to enjoy the walks (and the company). We also have twice yearly walking week-ends in a beautiful part of Scotland. Many women come on their own, and we pride ourselves on being welcoming to new women.

For further information contact us.

Eamil: Lilidots@hotmail.com

Website: www.lilidots.com

Loud & Proud Choir - An Edinburgh-based choir for LGBT singers. The choir sings a varied range of music, including popular music, show tunes, international folk music, light classical music and lesbian/gay anthems, and has developed a reputation as an exciting member of Edinburgh's vibrant musical scene. Loud & Proud Choir meets on Monday evenings and takes in new members every September. Members represent a range of prior musical experience and previous experience and an ability to read music are not required (though an informal audition will take place in order to assess vocal range). It is a membership organisation, paid for by subscription (to cover rehearsal space, sheet music, etc). Discounted rates are available for people on a low or no income. For membership enquiries contact Linda. Email: loudproud@gmail.com

Website: www.loudandproudchoir.org

MySpace: www.myspace.com/loudandproudchoir

The Luvvies - The first and only LGBT Theatre Company in Edinburgh. If you’d like to act, direct, stage manage, produce, a stage, help with costume, props, make-up or have a chance to learn any other theatrical role, then they want to meet you. No previous experience necessary. Keep an eye out for our posters, ask at the Centre or check out their website for events and details of what’s coming up. The best way new members can get in touch is by email.

Tel: 07951 042 087

Email: info@theluvvies.org

Website: www.theluvvies.org

Metropolitan Community Church – The MCC is a welcoming, contemporary church for the LGBT communities and its allies. MCC celebrates and affirms diverse sexualities and offers a place to explore spirituality, faith, and justice in our modern world. MCC meets on Sunday at 6pm at Augustine United Church at 41 George IV Bridge in Edinburgh. Everyone is welcome. Community Church

Tel: 0131 226 1691

Email: mail@mccedinburgh.org

Website: www.mccedinburgh.org

Post: Augustine United Church at 41 George IV Bridge in Edinburgh

Polygender Scotland - A social group for all gender variant. Whether you identify as genderqueer, androgyne, 3rd gender or something else you'll be welcome! Group meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.

Email: admin@androgyny.org.uk

Website: www.androgyny.org.uk

Racqueteers - An inclusive (mainly lesbian and gay) badminton group that meets every Thursday at Meadowbank stadium. Racqueteers are non-competitive and welcome players of all abilities. Players must be 16 years or over.

Email: info@theracqueteers.co.uk

Website: sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/racqueteers_edin

SaltireBlue MCC - Scotland's motorcycle club for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender bikers. The only requirements needed to join SaltireBlue MCC are that you live in Scotland, you own and ride your own motorbike and you have access to email and the internet. We encourage our members to contact one another directly to organise bike runs using SMS, email or by telephone.

Email: info@saltireblue.com

Website: www.saltireblue.com