Regular socials/meetups
Molly’s FriYAY: 2nd Friday of the month: Molly is a monthly social for LGBTIQA+ folk in Oxford. We provide a welcoming space to come along and meet new people and make new friends. Let us know if you're coming along solo / for the first time and we're happy to introduce you to other people!
Meetup – LGBTQ women:This group is for anyone in the LGBTQ+ community whose identity includes woman. We’re a friendly bunch who like to get together and try new things and have a good natter with friends.
Meetup – LGBTQ social: We're an all-purpose LGBT+ Meetup group, aimed at those living in, or around, Oxford. We organise a monthly social evening in a central Oxford pub, and also whatever other events members would like to arrange.
TransOxford meetup: Second Tuesday of the month at 7pm. TransOxford is the leading independent dedicated support group for the transgender and gender non-conforming people in Oxfordshire, the number of which is currently estimated in excess of 5,000. TransOxford meets in one of the central Oxford locations - please contact us or join our Facebook group to check the venue.
Queer Caff: a pot-luck dinner with your chosen family. We are an informal group of people organising semi-regular dinners at Ark T Centre in East Oxford. Our dinners are alcohol free, cost nothing, very causal and open to anyone who identifies in any way as queer or on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. We really love newcomers and if there is anything we can do to make it easier for you to come then please feel free to post in the group or contact one of the admins.
Witney Pride try and hold an event every month to raise awareness and bring the community together. They can be found on all social media @witneypride and #witneyhaspride.
Board Gaymers: Fortnightly on Wednesdays. This is a group for LGBTIQA+ people in and around the Oxford area who love the idea of playing card and board games while making new gay friends in a relaxed social setting. We play fortnightly in various cosy little pubs around Oxford. All ages and skill levels welcome.
Outdoor Lads: Outdoorlads is a charity operating nationwide. Its aim is to promote the physical and mental wellbeing of (but not exclusively) gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgender communities, without distinction of sex, sexual orientation. Although our members are predominantly men, we welcome anyone who shares our values and love of the outdoors, so come and give it a try. You can see what’s coming up next on the website.
First Sunday: Gay and Christian in Oxford? FIRST SUNDAY is fellowship for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or questioning their sexuality (LGBTQ+). We're part of St Columba's United Reformed Church in Oxford, UK, and meet there on the first Sunday of the month. You don't have to be LGBTQ or a Christian to come along.
Oxford LGBT book club: Second Monday of the month. An Oxford-based book group for LGBT people, friends and the sympathetic! We do have a special interest in LGBT (and related) books, but we often read non-LGBT books too. If you would like to join the mailing list which will keep you up to date with all our meetings, and any other social events, please email [email protected]
Oxford Lesbian History group: This is a small, friendly and informal women’s group, with an interest in all aspects of lesbian history and culture. Meetings usually take the form of a talk given by one of the members, but there are also sometimes discussions and social activities.
Fruit Salad: This social occurs on the fourth Sunday of every month, and is a place for the trans*, non-binary, and intersex folks of Oxford to get together for a cuppa. Usually held at the Old Fire Station Cafe from 1pm, all fruits are welcome!
Fruit Cakes: Didcot-based LGBTQIA+ meetup happening ever second Saturday of the month. It's perfect for meeting local people and getting together for cake and coffee. It's held at Cornerstone Didcot from 2pm.
Queer Yoga: An hour of gentle, restorative exercise to reconnect with yourself in a safe, welcoming environment. This session aims to enable people of all abilities to access yoga, where you can celebrate your body & mind, in a friendly supportive space. Queer Yoga tends to run every third Sunday of the month at South Oxford Community Centre.
Queer Life Drawing: A fun, safe, relaxed social space where people can get in touch with their artistic side, whilst celebrating queer bodies in all their glory. It tends to run every second Sunday of the month at South Oxford Community Centre.
Queer performance spaces:
Oxfordshire Drag Collective: This group has been formed to foster new drag talent in Oxford in an inclusive and welcoming environment. We offer everything from burlesque to political numbers, lip syncing to potato games! Check out the SPUDS (Strange People Undertake a Drag Show), the collective's experimental showcase where they introduce newer performers.
OxPHWOARd: Oxford’s best loved cabaret, celebrating the camp, queer, and eclectic. Serving fierce, funny and frisky cabaret acts, OxPHWOARd is an electric evening showcasing drag and burlesque as you’ve never seen it before. Starring performers of all shapes, sizes, and genders, you never know what’s coming next in this high energy, one-of-a-kind show.
Qu(h)ear voices: a new spoken word open mic night for queer performers. A space for all you dears, queers, poets, performers, curious, cured, muses, amused, Qu(h)ear Voices invites you to come and be part of the making and shaping of this exciting new evening!
Volunteering opportunities
Topaz: staff and volunteers run TOPAZ with and for young people who would like a safe space to explore their feelings and gain a better understanding of themselves, particularly LGBT+ teenagers (see main Topaz listing in the Student and Youth groups section below!)
There are also volunteering opportunites at Tart Production. You can contact [email protected] if you'd like to get involved.
Oxford Pride:has events throughout the year (see social media @oxfordpride or website for details). ). In 2023 the Pride Festival will begin on Friday 26 May and run until Sunday 4 June. Pride Day with the March and events will be on Saturday 3 June. Want to get involved or find out more? You can visit the Oxford Pride website.
Other local Prides are also developing across the county, such as Abingdon Pride (email [email protected]), Banbury Pride (email [email protected]) and Witney Pride.
Professional networks
Oxford's big employers all have dedicated support and social networks for their LGBT+ staff:Oxford University LGBT+ Staff Network - support, advice, and social for LGBT+ staff at the University of Oxford, including the colleges and OUP. They also work jointly with the Oxford Area Academic LGBT Staff Network.
Oxford Brookes LGBTQ+ Staff Forum - support members of staff in their working lives and to promote awareness of issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity within the workplace. The Forum organises social activities, hosts workshops, and provides a programme of events for LGBTQ+ History Month in February every year. Contact: [email protected]
Oxford University Press - email [email protected]
Thames Valley Police - https://en-gb.facebook.com/TVPLGBT/
OUH NHS Foundation Trust has been recognised by Stonewall as a 'Top 100 Employer'. Read about their LGBTQ+ staff network at https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/careers/staff-wellbeing/ or email [email protected] to find out more.
Student and Youth groups
Topaz: a group for young people to explore their feelings about their identity, especially if they identify as LGBT+ or are questioning their gender or sexuality. A safe space where you can speak to professionals for advice and support, and socialise and make new friends. There are monthly socials on a Saturday afternoon in an accessible City Centre venue.
My Normal Oxford: a free, inclusive music group for LGBTIQA+ and disabled young people (aged 13-25) and allies, to come and learn new skills while making friends. Weekly Friday afternoons in term time at Ark-T in Cowley.
Oxford SU LGBT Soc: the social and welfare group for LGBT+ students at Oxford University
Oxford Brookes LGBTQ+ Soc: the social and welfare group for LGBT+ students at Oxford Brookes University
Other Useful Resources
Out In Oxford - a printable trail of LGBT+ artefacts and exhibitions in Oxford's museums
Oxford Brookes' LGBT History Month 2022 Programme
Search for LGBT in our events listings to find upcoming live events
Looking for friendly flatmates and LGBT+ households? Browse our Rooms To Let page, or advertise there for free. While some people specifically mention their household is “gay-friendly”, for example, it is of course illegal for any landlord or agency to discriminate on grounds of gender or sexuality, just as it is illegal for employers or prospective employers to discriminate.
For health and wellbeing support, see our Help Organisations page.