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LGBTQIA+

Lesbian – women attracted to women.

Gay – men attracted to men. Also often used as an umbrella term to encompass anyone who isn’t straight.

Bi– attraction to two or more genders.

Trans – assigned sex does not align with gender identity.

Queer – broad term encompassing anything out of the cisgender and heterosexual norm, often used by people that prefer not to use specific labels. Queer was originally used as a slur – it has been reclaimed by many members of the community, but it’s important to note that some people are still uncomfortable with the word queer.

Q can also stand forquestioning– a person exploring their orientation and/or gender identity. No matter where you are in your journey, there is a community ready to accept you for exactly who you are.

Intersex – people born with differences in sex traits.

Asexual – lack of sexual attraction / Aromantic – lack of romantic attraction.

+ other marginalised identities not explicitly listed, such as pansexual and genderfluid.

LGBTQIA+ and Sexual Health

LGBTQIA+ people can face unique sexual health challenges due to stigma and marginalisation. Sexual Health Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are a LGBTQIA+ inclusive service, and we welcome people regardless of their sex, gender, and orientation.

Higher risk groups: it’s important to note that sexual healthcare is particularly important for people who were Assigned Male At Birth (AMAB) who have sex with other AMAB people, and for people who were Assigned Female At Birth (AFAB) who have sex with AMAB people who also have sex with other AMAB people, as they are generally at increased risk of STIs including HIV. Due to the increased of HIV, it may be worth considering PrEP (medication that can help prevent HIV).

“I’m trans, how do I know whether to do the urine sample or vaginal swab when testing for chlamydia and gonnorrhea?”

  • If you were AFAB, a vaginal swab provides more accurate results, but if this is not possible (e.g. if you have had a vaginectomy or if dysphoria is a barrier to providing a vaginal swab) then you can provide a urine sample.
  • If you were AMAB, regardless of if you have had a vaginoplasty, a urine sample will give a more accurate result.
  • For all – please also complete a rectal swab if having anal sex or sharing anal sex toys, and a throat swab if having oral sex.

Staff members at Sexual Health Services Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are here to help you, and we want to encourage you to feel as safe and comfortable as possible when sharing information about your sexual activity or sexuality. Our service is confidential, which means no information will be shared with the GP or anyone else outside the clinic unless you ask for it to be (or for safeguarding reasons).

Everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community is welcome to access our services. However, we recognise that accessing mainstream sexual health services can be especially daunting for transgender and gender diverse people – if you would prefer to go to a Sexual Health clinic specifically for people who are trans and gender diverse, you can make an appointment with Clinic X @ the Health Shop:

1st Thursday of the Month, 5-7pm – out of hours so other people aren’t around, and it is quieter.

Call: 0115 9055001

Text: 07977 184851

Email: healthshop@nottshc.nhs.net

Appointment only at: 12 Broad Street, Hockley, Nottingham, NG1 3AL

LGBT+ Support Services

Click below to find details of local and national support services

  • Local LGBT+ support for young people

    Centre Place LGBT+ Service Nottinghamshire: group support sessions provide a safe space for LGBT+ young people aged 11-16 and 16-25.

     

    OutBurst (Base51 charity): youth group providing a safe space for LGBT+ young people aged 11-21 to make friends and join in with a wide range of activities.

  • Local LGBT+

    Notts LGBT+ Network: volunteers offer support and understanding by phone, text, email or online chat service. They can help with information on sexuality / gender identity, service referral, sex and sexual health information and support, and legal information and support.

     

    Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum LGBTQ+ Project: support and advice for asylum seekers and refugees on matters including referring to LGBTQ+ safe housing, legal signposting, hate crime, bullying, signposting to sexual health and trans health services, and general advocacy. Access the LGBTQ+ project by:

    • Attending the General Advice drop-in sessions Monday-Thursday 10am-3pm at Nottingham Refugee Forum, The Sycamore Centre, 33a Hungerhill Road, Nottingham, NG3 4NB
    • Or emailing contact details to: info@nottsrefugeeforum.org.uk

     

    Equation – Domestic Abuse charity: LGBTQ+ specialist Domestic Abuse support service for LGBTQ+ people aged 16+ living in Nottingham City / 18+ in Nottinghamshire County who are affected by domestic abuse.

    • LGBTQ Service Helpline: 03300 880787. Monday to Friday, 9.30am-4.30pm (7.30pm on Wednesdays) excluding bank holidays. 24/7 confidential voicemail at other times.
    • Or email: LGBTQ@equation.org.uk
  • National LGBT+ support

    Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline – LGBTQ+ support line for anyone who wants to talk

    • 0800 0119 100 (open 10am-10pm, 7 days a week)

    Stonewall – LGBTQ+ rights and support information

  • Gender affirming healthcare

    The Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health: takes referrals from GPs across the country for those over the age of 17 who have gender incongruence and wish to receive NHS funded care and treatment. Check out their website for much more information: The Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health | Transgender.

    The waiting time for a first appointment is around 32 months (as of November 2025). They publish waiting list updates here: Waiting list update | Transgender

  • Local trans-specific support

    Transphoria: social group providing a safe and inclusive space for trans and/or gender diverse people aged 13-17 to access support and community

     

    Notts Trans Hub: a local charity which offers support groups and social activities for trans adults. The group also has a separate support group for parents, family members and supporters of trans individuals. Notts Trans Hub

     

    East Mids Trans Network: a network giving trans adults safe spaces to do things together, enjoy community, and make friends.  eastmidstransnetwork.wordpress.com | East Mids Trans Network | Facebook

  • National trans-specific support

    Gendered Intelligence Support Line: a service to answer questions and provide support while you wait for gender affirmative healthcare. Everyone who answers is trans and/or non-binary themselves.

      • Phone number: 0330 355 9678 (please leave a voicemail if someone doesn’t answer and they will call you back)
      • WhatsApp: 07592 650 496 (you can send voice notes too if that is easier for you)
      • Email: supportline@genderedintelligence.co.uk

     

    Gendered Intelligence Waiting List Warriers: online support group for adults waiting for gender affirming healthcare on the Nottingham, West of England (Laurels) and East of England NHS Gender Identity Clinic waiting lists. Last Wednesday of the month, 6-8pm. Waiting List Warriors | Gendered Intelligence

     

    Mermaids – support for trans, non-binary and gender-diverse children, young people and their families.

    Youth forum (ages 12-19) – for meeting other transgender, non-binary and gender diverse people

    Support line (ages 12-20

     

    For more national sources of support that are trans inclusive, check out this list organised by category: Sources of support – TransActual

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