There is a wide range of support organisations, voluntary and community groups in NI that LGBTQIA+ people can be part of or can benefit from their services. The majority of these groups have no specific faith element. Find out more below.
The Belfast Butterfly Club is a support network for transgendered people and their families. By providing education and information, we seek to increase awareness, overcome discrimination and achieve equality. The Belfast Butterfly Club prides itself on providing a safe and friendly place in which any trans person can be their authentic selves and share any problems and issues they may be having. The group meets weekly and does not discriminate against anyone within the trans spectrum, all are welcome.
Déjà vu-vu is a safe social space for lesbian, bisexual and trans women to be themselves without anyone questioning them, organised on a not for-profit basis. It’s not a dating site…it’s about getting together to organise and attend social events – music gigs, art exhibits, swimming, cinema, and loads more.
Focus supports Transgender and Intersex people and their families. It provides support groups for individuals in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of the Republic of Ireland who have been referred to it by a Gender Identity Service or Registered Medical Practitioner.
Mermaids is a UK charity supporting trans, non-binary and gender diverse children and young people, their families, and the professionals involved in their care. They provide a number of support services, including a helpline, web chat, local groups, residential weekends and more.
The Rainbow Project is a health organisation, established in 1994, that works to improve the physical, mental & emotional health and well-being of LGBTQIA+ people and their families in Northern Ireland, as well as those questioning their orientation or gender. The Rainbow Project offers help and advice through its support services, and works in partnership with other organisations, and lobbies policy makers, to ensure that the needs of LGBTQIA+ people in Northern Ireland are met.
TransgenderNI is a human rights and community organisation for trans and gender diverse people in Northern Ireland. Based in the Belfast Trans Resource Centre, TransgenderNI works to protect and promote the rights and services of the trans and gender diverse community. It is a truly trans-led advocacy platform in Northern Ireland and focuses on public campaigns, strategic policy and community development, while providing services and support to other organisations.