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Little j
City of York
As a city York only becomes more popular as the years go on. We have so much to offer from great restaurants, historic sites, beautiful parks and quirky shops.
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But above all we have a fantastic queer community to go along with it, here we'd like to introduce you to some of our friends and queer colleagues
Here's what they say about themselves:
"York LGBT Forum is a charity which aims to improve LGBT rights in York, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom and across the world. York LGBT Forum works to ensure that there is no discrimination on the basis of, but not limited to, ethnicity, language, race, age, ability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, family status, income, immigrant or refugee status and nationality."
They host a range of events, including weekly coffee socials for people to gather, socialise, and find their place in the city.
Here's what they say about themselves:
"Generate is a small, grass-roots charity organisation based in York, serving the population of North Yorkshire. We are a peer-led, therapeutic organisation, providing support for all members of the transgender, non-binary, gender questioning, and gender diverse community. We differ from other LGBTIQ+ support organisations in that our services include therapy-based support as well as social and peer support.
We are staffed by professional therapists and trained volunteers, who are all members of the community with lived experience. We are dedicated to creating welcoming and inclusive communities to listen to, connect and empower the transgender community and their families and friends, improving their mental health and wellbeing, self-confidence, and resilience."
Generate provides in-person and online peer support groups for transgender, non-binary, and gender questioning adults. including face-to-face, online meetings and other services to support the community.
Here’s what they say about themselves:
"QueerArts is on a mission to champion queer arts and culture in the City of York.
We are bold in our vision and committed to creating spaces that celebrate LGBTQ+ people through the arts. Whether it’s finding queer joy through community singing or putting on your favourite dancing shoes in our Rainbow Dance nights, we put our community first and pride ourselves in creating safe, accessible spaces for all LGBTQ+ people and allies to engage and participate in. We put on showstopping events that put the queer in arts! Our annual QueerArts stage at York Pride is something not to be missed.
We showcase local queer talent in our loud, proud and lively marquee."
Providing a wide range of creative arts events, allowing you to truly express yourself the way YOU want to!
Contact them at: hello@queerarts.co.uk
This is a fabulous two-for-one deal!, Located in the same building but with separate operating times, the portal bookshop operates on the ground floor primarily as a Sci-fi, Fantasy and LGBTQIA focused books with sections dedicated and easily labelled for different sexualities. A small range of souvenirs and handcrafted items with queer themes can also be found here.
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The Over the Rainbow Café operates on the upper floor, and they say it best: "Over The Rainbow Café is York's LGBTQ+ community café and sober space, offering a neurodivergent friendly queer space for York and the surrounding areas. We provide a bring-and-swap clothes rail for gender affirmation, a binder donation scheme, a pay-it-forward system for food and drinks, and a space for the community to get together and support each other!" They also have regular events, including LARPing and board games, that are worth checking out.
5 Patrick Pool, York, YO1 8BB
Run by queer sibling duo, this shop is so gay offers a clear message that we are here and not going anywhere! With a physical presence on York's main thoroughfare, Parliament Street, they offer a wide range of queer souvenirs/items, including the range of handmade ghosts they have become popular for!
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With hopes to create a queer museum in their new location, they are the queer version of 'Bob the Builder' full of passion and a never-ending list of crafting skills to share with the world.
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16 Parliament Street, York, United Kingdom
York Pride is an annual event held in the early summer (usually first week of June) to celebrate the city's pride!
With an ever-growing parade starting in the city centre and walking down to the Knavesmire, next to York Racecourse, where the festival takes place. It's the biggest queer event of the year in York, with over 17,500 people attending the 2025 event. It's the biggest yet!
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