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LGBTQ+ Sports & Social Groups in Birmingham

Queer Brum beyond the bar — inclusive sports teams, choirs, book clubs and social meet-ups. Most run weekly, most welcome newcomers, most are free.

Birmingham has a growing network of LGBTQ+ sports teams, creative groups and social meet-ups — from football, rugby and bowling to choirs, book clubs and gaming nights.

Most run weekly. Most welcome newcomers. Most are free or low-cost. The list below covers the groups currently meeting — pick the one that matches what you'd like to do, not just who you'd like to meet.

Looking for support, not a team?
Peer support, trans, faith, POC, youth & wellbeing groups live on the Community page.
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Last verified March 2026 · Report outdated info

New here? Start with these

Drop-in friendly, beginner-proof. No commitment — just turn up and say hi.

Birmingham Swifts
Running · all paces · Free
Birmingham Gaymers
Board games · Selly Oak · £4
Midlands Out Badminton
Aston Uni · weekly · £6

Sports & active

Birmingham's queer sports scene punches above its weight. Full-club rugby and football sides, swimmers training to compete, runners, cricketers, badminton players, a quadball team and a bowling group with chapters across the country. Most run weekly. Most don't care how good you are — turn up, give it a go.

Birmingham Bulls RFCRugby

Birmingham Bulls RFC

Inclusive rugby union

Gay & inclusive rugby — Bingham Cup regulars who hosted Europe's biggest LGBTQ+ tournament, Union Cup 2023. Founded 2011.

Meets Check site for training

First time?No experience needed — they'll teach you the basics, all shapes and sizes welcome.

birminghambullsrfc.com
Birmingham Blaze FCFootball

Birmingham Blaze FC

All-gender football

All-gender inclusive LGBTQ+ football team, open to every experience level. Founded 2005.

Meets Weds training · Sun matches

First time?Played or not, you'll get a game — just come along to training.

birminghamblazefc.com
Birmingham SwiftsRunning

Birmingham Swifts

Running club

Free LGBTQ+ running club for all abilities — Couch-to-5K, social runs and post-run pints at The Fox. Has a 50+ subgroup too.

Meets Thurs eve · Sat parkrun · Free

First time?All paces; there's a back-marker so nobody gets left behind.

birminghamswifts.co.uk
Moseley Shoals swimmingSwimming

Moseley Shoals

Swimming club

Social LGBTQ+ swimming, mixed ability from splash-and-chat to competition standard. Founded 2000.

Meets Mon 8:15pm & Wed 9pm · Northfield Pool

First time?Any ability welcome — come for the lengths or the chat.

moseleyshoals.org.uk
Midlands Out BadmintonBadminton

Midlands Out Badminton

Social badminton

Friendly LGBTQ+ social badminton — no membership, just drop in. Founded 2003.

Meets Sat 9:30am–12:30pm · Aston Uni

Cost £6 / session

First time?Rackets available — just turn up and join a court.

midlandsoutbadminton.com
Birmingham Unicorns CCCricket

Birmingham Unicorns CC

Inclusive cricket

LGBTQ+ inclusive cricket — only the second club of its kind in the world. Training at Edgbaston. Founded 2020.

Meets Edgbaston · see site

First time?Any age, gender, background or experience — genuinely.

bhamunicorns.co.uk
Gay City BowlersBowling

Gay City Bowlers

Ten-pin social

Monthly LGBTQ+ ten-pin bowling at Lane 7, The Cube — then food and drinks at Eden Bar.

Meets Monthly · Lane 7, The Cube

Cost £18 / 2 games

First time?Turn up, hire the shoes, have a laugh — no skill required.

gaycitybowlers.com
Birmingham Badgers QuadballQuadball

Birmingham Badgers Quadball

Quadball

Community quadball club — the only full-contact mixed-gender sport in the world. Low-pressure, good vibes. Founded 2022.

Meets See socials for sessions

First time?Open to all regardless of experience — they'll show you the ropes.

Creative & cultural

For the queer community that builds things together rather than scoring goals. Choir, film, books, writing — the rooms where you turn up, sing or read or argue, and leave with friends who'll be there next week.

Rainbow VoicesChoir

Rainbow Voices

Community choir

West Midlands LGBTQ+ choir — no audition, no music-reading needed. Sang at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Founded 1995.

Meets Tues 7:45pm · Longbridge

First time?No audition and no need to read music — just come and sing.

rainbowvoices.co.uk
Journey Film ClubFilm

Journey Film Club

Film nights

Non-profit queer film club showing twice monthly — a relaxed space to watch and discuss LGBTQ+ cinema.

Meets Twice monthly · Birmingham LGBT Centre

First time?Just show up — no need to know the film, that's the point.

151 Hurst Street, B5
Bards & Books LGBT book clubBooks

Bards & Books

Book club (25+)

Friendly LGBT book club running 8+ years. Members vote on the monthly read.

Meets 1st Mon, 11am–1pm · LGBT Centre

First time?Not finished the book? Come anyway — plenty don't.

via Birmingham LGBT Centre
Notebook and penWriting

Birmingham LGBTQ+ Writers

Writing group

A space for queer writers to meet and share work — any form, any level.

Meets 3rd Thurs · LGBT Centre

First time?Bring something to share or just come to listen.

via Birmingham LGBT Centre

Social & meet-ups

For when you want queer community without a uniform — board games, walks, drinks-and-chat, identity-specific gatherings. Bring yourself, no audition.

Boot Women walking groupWalking

Boot Women

Women's walking group

LGBTQ+ women's walking group — monthly walks welcoming all abilities.

Meets Monthly · ask LGBT Centre for schedule

First time?All abilities; comfy shoes and you're sorted.

0121 643 0821
Birmingham GaymersBoard games

Birmingham Gaymers

Board games social

Safe space for LGBTQ+ community and allies to meet over board games. Founded 2021.

Meets Last Sun, 1pm · Sliced n Diced, Selly Oak

Cost £4 / 4 hrs

First time?Games for all levels — come solo, you'll be teamed up.

find on Meetup
Mids BearsBear social

Mids Bears

Bear community

Social group for Bears, Cubs, Otters and admirers across the Midlands. Monthly meetups plus an annual Bear Weekend. Founded 2012.

Meets Monthly · Birmingham

First time?It's a friendly social, not a clique — newcomers always welcome.

midsbears.uk
Bisexual pride flagSocial

Bi+ Queer Group

Bi / pan social

Social group for anyone under the bi/pan umbrella — monthly board games, conversation and community.

Meets Monthly · find on the Meetup app

First time?Drop in, no pressure — being bi/pan is all the qualification you need.

search "Birmingham Bisexual" on Meetup

Birmingham LGBT Centre

The hub for Birmingham's LGBTQ+ community — home to 40+ independent groups and services. Many of the groups above meet here.

151 Hurst Street, Birmingham B5 6EW

See all groups at BLGBT

Questions, answered

How do I meet gay people in Birmingham outside a bar?
The groups on this page are exactly that — sports, creative and social ways to meet queer Birmingham without a club night. Pick by what you'd like to do; the community comes with it.
Are these LGBTQ+ groups beginner-friendly?
Most are. Sports teams welcome people who've never played; creative groups welcome people who've never sung or written; social groups don't audition. Each listing carries a first-timer note.
Do I need to be out to join?
No. Many groups are explicitly safe spaces for people at any stage. If you'd rather not be identified online, message the group privately before turning up — they'll know how to handle it.
Is it free?
Most are free or low-cost. Sports clubs often charge a session or term fee for pitch and coaching costs (usually £5–15 a session). Creative and social groups are mostly free or pay-what-you-can. Each listing carries the cost.
Where can I find LGBTQ+ support groups in Birmingham?
For peer support, counselling and signposting (mental health, trans support, recovery, family), see our Community page. This page is for recreational community.

Running a group?

Running an LGBTQ+ group in Birmingham that should be on here? We're growing the list — walking and hiking groups, yoga, professional networks, anything else queer Brum gathers around. We'd love to add you.

Get in touch