We take pride in the work we are doing to create an LGBTQ+ community within Kingston upon Thames.   Below are details of the events we hold regularly, examples of the events we hold intermittently, as well as the  community projects that are currently active and those that we did in the past.   We hope you find something that is of interest to you and find out a bit more about us.

Socials

LGBTQ+ COFFEE SOCIALS

Once a month we hold a coffee morning, there is no agenda or formality, just a group of local LGBTQ+ people getting together over coffee and a bun.   These socials are the linchpin of our social calendar as we find it brings together people from all our subgroups and other events.  Our socials are free to attend and are a safe space to relax with like-minded people.

PUB QUIZES

We regularly attend pub quizzes at a local pub and we host our own online pub quizzes for local people who aren’t able to or who don’t always want to make it out and about.   These are both well-attended and we keep running them because people keep coming and having a good time.   So do join us online or in the pub.

LGBTQ+ EVENING SOCIALS

Once or month (mostly), we host an evening social for all our members. This is generally on a Friday night in a pub.  We vary the venue, so if one is not convenient for you, maybe the next one will be.  

LGBTQ+ WOMEN’S SOCIALS

We like to give the women of our group a chance to meet up and catch up.  Generally these events are on a Friday evening.  While this is a Women’s social it is open to women and allies.  We don’t want to be too prescriptive for these events as some people who are, for example, non-binary, gender-fluid or questioning may wish to come along.   If this event is something you fancy, we’d love to see you there.

FILM CLUB

From time to time, we like to go to the movies, sometimes this at the cinema in Kingston and sometimes we may go to events such as the BFI LGBTQIA+ Film Festival.

BOOK GROUP

We have recently launched our queer fiction book group which is hosted by one of our regular members, Lucy. We will set a book each time with ideas and feedback from everyone, meeting every two months or so to allow people time to read the chosen material.

Health and Wellbeing

YOGA IN KINGSTON AND ONLINE

We have regular yoga sessions with Serge at the Kingston Quaker Centre.  These are a free yoga flow class for LGBTQIA+ people. The class is suitable for all levels. Spend an hour connecting breath and movement, feeling grounded, strong and relaxed.

If you want to take part, but don’t feel ready to join us at the Quaker Centre, you can still join the session online, and watch us live. All you need is some floor space.  

The streamed view of the session does not include everyone.  If you are present at the Kingston Quaker Centre and  do not wish to be on camera that is fine, there is plenty of space for that.

BUSHY PARK – PARK RUN

We like to join in the Park Run at Bushy Park.  It’s free and the run starts at 9:00 am.  We meet at the Pheasantry café in Bushy Park for 8:45 am (by the gate from the nearby car park), then we walk over to the starting line together. After the run, we head back to the Pheasantry for a coffee and some well-deserved breakfast.  We don’t do this every week so do check the events listings for when we will be going.

CROQUET TASTER SESSIONS

From time to time we have a taster evening at the Surbiton Croquet Club, in Alexandra Drive, Surbiton, Surrey, KT5 9AA.  This is a popular and fun event which we hope to host again soon.

Groups

BISEXUAL AND PANSEXUAL GROUP

We have just launched this group for people who are bisexual or pansexual and it is starting to take shape.   Look out for events on Meetup and Facebook!

TRANSGENDER AND INTERSEX GROUP

The Transgender and Intersex Group was started in July 2021 and so is also a fairly new group that is taking shape.   
Find out More

OVER-50S GROUP

Originally the Over-50s was part of a project that we did and it has remained a closed group for a while now.  We have opened this up now, so please follow the link below to find out more!

Find out More

PEOPLE OF COLOUR GROUP

This group is on a break at the moment and we hope it will be back soon.  Do let us know if you have an interest in joining this group.

 

Past Projects

2021 – Intergenerational Letter Writing Project

Kingston LGBT Forum ran an intergenerational letter writing project which aimed to connect older and younger LGBTQ+ people in Kingston, to support each other and to build and strengthen community. The project brought together older and younger LGBT+ people in pairs to connect and share experiences and learn about themselves and each other, through regular letter writing.
The project was funded by METRO Charity for a period of 6 months, until the end of June 2021.  
 

2021 – Oral Histories Project

As part of our LGBT+ History Month activities, Kingston LGBTQ+ Forum set up an oral histories project to capture and record the heritage of local LGBTQ+ people.
 
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