LGBTQ+ Faith Groups and Support Networks
There are a variety of LGBTQ+ faith and support groups across Manchester.
Christian / Catholic
The Village Church (Anglican), Manchester
We meet for worship on the second and fourth Sundays of each month at the LGBT Foundation on Sackville Street. We offer a space place for all to meet together and worship. Contact info: Facebook
St James and Emmanuel, Didsbury PLUS Group (Anglican), Manchester / Online
PLUS is a safe online space for LGBTQ+ and their allies. It has been developed as a response to the Radical Love Conference held at St James and Emmanuel Church in Didsbury. Meetings will be held on Zoom on the first Wednesday of the month at 7.45pm. Contact info: Website, Email
Open Table Network (Anglican), National / Salford
Open Table communities are safe sacred spaces which genuinely welcome and affirm people who are: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, & Asexual (LGBTQIA). Open Table Salford meets on the THIRD Sunday of each month at Sacred Trinity Church, Salford, M3 7WQ. Refreshments from 6.45pm, service at 7.15pm. Contact info: Website, Instagram, Facebook
House of Rainbow (Ecumenical), International / National / London
We offer encouragement and support, particularly for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer (LGBTIQ+) people of colour, affirming that you can be LGBTIQ+ and a person of faith. Through one-on-one support, group gatherings, and training workshops, we walk alongside individuals as they heal, grow, and celebrate who they are. We also extend support and encouragement to families and allies who stand with them. Contact info: Website, Instagram, Facebook
Metropolitan Community Churches (Ecumenical), National
We are unique among all Christian denominations because we’re the ONLY denomination that is primarily made up of LGBTQ+ people, has a focus on LGBTQ+ and Queer understandings, and this has been true of us for OVER 50 YEARS! The idea that God fully loves and accepts gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans*, pansexual, intersexual, asexual, and various queer people is NOT new to us! We’ve always welcomed and embraced the LGBTQ+ community. More than that…we ARE the LGBTQ+ community. Contact info: Website, Instagram, Facebook
Two:23 (Ecumenical), National
Two:23 builds connection between Christians from diverse traditions, and promotes the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of gender identity or sexual orientation.Two:23 meets throughout the year to worship and build connections within an inclusive community of believers. Two:23 also runs a supportive online community on Facebook, weekly Zoom groups and occasional theology courses during the year. Contact info: Website, Instagram, Facebook
Diverse Church (Ecumenical), National
Diverse Church is a charity that supports LGBTQIA+ young adults, their families and their communities. As well as hosting online communities for LGBTQIA+ young adults and their families, training, consultation and facilitation is a significant part of what we do. We support education settings, charities, statutory organisations and faith groups to grow a more trauma-informed, nurturing and inclusive approach to supporting LGBTQIA+ people. Contact info: Website, Facebook
Sybils (Ecumenical), National
Sibyls is a voluntary UK group for Christian transgender, non-binary and intersex people, partners and allies. Sibyls offer companionship along your journey. Sibyls supports advocacy work with churches and faith groups on behalf of trans people. Contact info: Website
OneBodyOneFaith (Ecumenical), National
OneBodyOneFaith is a dynamic grassroots charity that enables LGBT+ Christians and advocates for change within the church, ecumenically and intentionally in partnership with likeminded organisations. Contact info: Website, Facebook
Inclusive Church (Ecumenical), National
We are a network of churches, groups and individuals working towards building and being an Inclusive Church. Contact info: Website
European Forum of LGBTI+ Christian Groups (Ecumenical), International
The European Forum of LGBTI+ Christian Groups is an ecumenical association of LGBTI+ Christian groups in Europe. The European Forum aims to achieve equality and inclusion for LGBTI+ people within and through Christian churches and other religious bodies and multilateral organisations. Contact info: Website, Instagram, Facebook
Affirm (Baptist), National
The Network of Baptists affirming Lesbian & Gay Christians seeks to engage with Baptist churches and members to achieve greater understanding and acceptance of LGBT people. Affirm has recently started to work with the Baptist Union of Great Britain to give pastoral support to LGBT people within the Baptist family. Contact info: Website
Dignity and Worth (Methodist), National
This is the site of a new group of Methodists committed to the full dignity and worth of every person, whatever their sexuality or gender identity. We are committed to creating a Church and society where no-one is made to feel ashamed or second-class because of who they are or who they love. Contact info: Website
Quaker Rainbow (Quaker), National
Quaker Rainbow (previously the Quaker Gender and Sexual Diversity Community) brings together people of diverse sexual and/or gender identities within Quakers in Britain. It provides a voice and a meeting space for the LGBTQIA+ community. This includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and gender non-binary Quakers, and Quakers interested in sexuality, gender identity and equality. Contact info: Facebook
Quest (Catholic), National
Quest offers fellowship to LGBT+ Catholics by providing information on our website and through our member bulletin and social media. We also run an annual conference on topics relating to our experience as LGBT+ Catholics. And throughout the year we have opportunities for worship, spiritual retreats and supportive community focused activity through our regional groups. Contact info: Website, Instagram
Global Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC) (Catholic), International
The Global Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC) brings together groups and their members who work for pastoral care and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people and their families. The Network works for the inclusion, dignity and equality of this community in the Roman Catholic Church and wider society. Contact info: Website, Instagram, Facebook
Muslim
Queer Muslims Manchester, Manchester
Queer Muslims of Manchester (QMOM) is a volunteer-led community social group based in Manchester. We provide a safe space for Muslims who identify as LGBTQ+, aged 18 and over. We do not promote or affiliate with any specific religious/cultural school of thought, but promote individual thought and reflection. Contact info: Website, Instagram
Imaan, National
Imaan has supported LGBTQI Muslim people, their families and friends, to explore issues of sexual orientation within Islam since 1998. It provides a safe space and support network to share individual experiences and institutional resources. Imaan is the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ Muslim Charity. Contact info: Website, Instagram
Naz and Matt Foundation, National
We are a specialist charity providing a comprehensive range of trauma informed 1-2-1 and group support services to LGBTQI+ individuals, or their parents, from religious or culturally conservative backgrounds. We work with victims, survivors and perpetrators to help resolve challenges connected to religion, culture, sexual orientation and gender identity to help reduce the risk of suicide and the early causal factors of homelessness. Contact info: Website, Instagram, Facebook
Hidayah, National
Here at Hidayah UK, our mission is to provide support and welfare for LGBTQI+ Muslims and promote social justice and education about our community to counter discrimination, prejudice and injustice. We aspire to create a society free from discrimination. Contact info: Website
Inclusive Mosque, National
The Inclusive Mosque Initiative is an intersectional feminist mosque and registered charity dedicated to creating inclusive, safer places for marginalised Muslims. We are not a proselytising organisation and do not seek to convert non-Muslims to Islam. Our work is aimed primarily at Muslims and we welcome all people of any faith or none. Contact info: Website, Instagram, Facebook
Jewish
KeshetUK, National
KeshetUK is the UK’s Jewish LGBT+ education and training charity. Our mission is to ensure that LGBT+ Jews and their families are included throughout Jewish life in the UK. We work across the UK Jewish community including Liberal, Masorti, Orthodox and Reform movements and within cross-communal and non-denominational organisations. Contact info: Website, Instagram, Facebook
Jewish LGBT+ Group (formerly JGLG), National
Our membership is open to Jewish men and women who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender including people from many different backgrounds. We welcome non-Jewish partners to all events and non-LGBT & non-Jewish guests to certain events, and although the group is based in London we have many members living across the country. We are primarily a social rather than religious group, and most of our religious events tend to follow Progressive/Reform traditions, although we have members from all branches of Judaism. Contact info: Website, Facebook
Laviot, National
Laviot is a community of LGBT+ Jewish women and non-binary people. We have a supportive and active online presence, and host regular London-based events. Laviot is an open space for anyone who feels it is relevant for them. However you define it, we support it. Contact info: Website, Instagram, Facebook
Queer Yeshiva, National
The Queer Yeshiva has created something never seen before in the UK: rigorous, immersive, radically inclusive Jewish learning through an explicitly Queer lens. Contact info: Website, Instagram
The Queer Jewish Collective, North West
The Queer Jewish Collective is an intersectional network for queer Jewish people in the Northwest to meet each other. Join us to connect with fellow Queer Jews across all queer identities and levels of religious observance. Contact info: Facebook, Instagram
LGBTQ+ Safe Synagogues, Manchester
The following synagogues have both made clear statements of inclusion for LGBTQ people. Contact info: Menorah Synagogue (South Manchester) Website, Manchester Reform Synagogue (Central Manchester)
Sikh
Sarbat, National
Sarbat is a volunteer-led group addressing LGBT+ issues from a Sikh perspective. Our vision is to create awareness, tackle homophobia / biphobia / transphobia and build bridges within and beyond our communities. Contact info: Website, Instagram, Facebook
Queer Sikh Network, National
We focus on radically challenging the narrative of queer and trans people living in the Sikh community. We remain dedicated to connecting individuals looking for resources to support their well being, health and Sikhi. Contact info: Website
Hindu
GALVA-108, International
Providing information and support for LGBTI Vaishnavas & Hindus. Contact info: Website, Instagram
Buddhist
Rainbodhi, International
Rainbodhi is an international spiritual friendship group for LGBTQIA+ Buddhists and an advocate for inclusion and diversity. We offer meditation, teachings, discussion and social events in a safe, affirming environment for people from all Buddhist traditions and those interested in Buddhism and meditation. Contact info: Website
Gender Diverse Buddhists Triratna / Gender Diverse Buddhists Manchester (WhatsApp group), National
The Triratna Gender Diverse Buddhist Group is for gender diverse people and their allies, within the Triratna Buddhist Community. It's open to anyone in the TBC who identifies or experiences themselves as intersex, trans, genderqueer, non-binary, genderless, gender-questioning, gender-curious... or who has a personal interest in exploring their gender identity or experience. Contact info: Website, Facebook
Inter-Faith
The Faith and Belief Form (LGBTQ+ Interfaith Network), National
The Faith & Belief Forum’s LGBTQ+ Interfaith Network is a space for LGBTQ+ people from different faiths, beliefs and backgrounds to come together in a friendly environment. We use interfaith activities and methods to explore personal stories of faith and belief, learn from each other’s traditions, and build solidarity and community. We work in collaboration with a range of brilliant single faith and regional LGBTQ+ organisations. Contact info: Website, Instagram