Image The Bristol LGB Forum at Bristol Pride 2010.

The Bristol Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Forum is a Registered Charity, established in October 1994 to challenge the discrimination that lesbian, gay and bisexual people experience.

Membership of the Forum is made-up of local lesbian, gay and bisexual people and the Charity is run by a Management Committee, made up of volunteers, as well as two part-time members of staff: the Development Worker and the Administrator.

The tasks of the Forum are to:

• ensure the Forum is adequately funded and staffed - set the Forum's work programme, each year
• engage with LGB individuals, groups, and organisations on what that programme should contain
• engage with local Authorities, Statutory bodies and other Charities/Community groups
• campaign on issues that affect LGB people, locally and nationally
• promote best practice on issues of equality, diversity and Inclusion
• dispel myths and challenge preconceptions about LGB people
• liaise with other LGB organisations, regionally and nationally
• be a first point of contact for individuals and organisations looking for information about Bristol's LGB community

What has the Forum achieved?

In June 2000 the Forum drew up a Compact between Bristol City Council and Bristol's lesbian, gay and bisexual community. The Compact is an agreement between Bristol City Council and organisations from the lesbian, gay and bisexual community. The aims of the Compact are to:

• Work towards equality of access to services and resources which are controlled by Bristol City Council.
• Promote understanding and respect for the lesbian, gay and bisexual community and its citizens.
• Empower lesbian, gay and bisexual people to become actively involved in community life

What else?

The Forum has also conducted research into the quality of life for lesbian, gay and bisexual people (Second Best Value) and has produced a Guide to Section 28 for all staff and governors of Bristol LEA schools. The Forum also holds Open Meetings where issues central to the community are discussed. You can get a copy of these publications from the Forum.

What is the Forum doing now?

The Forumcontinues to work with the local lesbian, gay and bisexual community to lobby Bristol City Council for a fair deal for the lesbian, gay and bisexual communities.  We are especially aware of the multiple discrimination many of us face, as older or younger people, members of the Black and Minority Ethnic and Faith communitites, as people with disabilites, as Lgb parents or even as parents and children of LGB people.

Check our recent Project "Under One Sky", funded by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to reserach the experience, level of inclusion and needs of people who identify as LGB and are also members of Bristol's diverse BME/Faith Communities.

How can I get involved?

We welcome active participation from Forum members. If you would like to get involved further in the work of the Forum, please contact us.