Q:alliance

Below you will find relevant local information for LGBT people in Milton Keynes, including social groups. For a great resource on a wide range of LGBT issues, or issues that may affect LGBT people, we recommend you use Stonewall’s Information Service. Aside from the website, they run a freephone information line on 08000 50 20 20, which is open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm. Alternatively, you can email them on info {at} stonewall.org(.)uk.

Another great resource is Queery.org.uk – the community-driven directory for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans life, with listings and links for services and resources, scene and non-scene, community and voluntary, commercial and business – support and information, town and country UK-wide. Queery.org.uk is run in association the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard.

This page contains information on Civil Partnerships, Social Groups, LGBT Venues, Pride Celebrations, Sexual Health Services and local Support Services.

Civil Partnerships

For details on how to arrange a civil partnership in the Milton Keynes Unitary Authority area, please visit Milton Keynes Council’s Civil Partnership Registration Information page, or if you are in Bucks, please visit Buckinghamshire County Council’s Civil Partnerships page. Good guides to civil partnerships are available from Stonewall and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Groups

There are a number of ways to make friends, socialise or find support with other lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people in Milton Keynes. Please note that apart from the HQMK youth group these groups are not run by Q:alliance. If you run a group, or know of a group, that would like to be listed here, email website {at} qalliance.org(.)uk. Check out our Events Calendar for listings of upcoming meetings (that we know about).

Courage MK

A Christian lesbian couple are exploring the possibilities of holding fellowship meetings in Milton Keynes for LGBT Christians.  The group would be for LGBT Christians who are seeking a safe place of friendship in which to reconcile their faith and sexuality and grow towards Christian maturity as well as their partners and friends, parents and other family members. There would also be resources for churches and for LGBT people without a faith who are seeking answers to life’s questions.

The group will hold two initial monthly meetings as social events to meet LGBT Christians who would be interested in attending MK Courage. These meetings are to be held on Wednesday 4th November and Wednesday 2nd December 2009 in Milton Keynes. In addition, they will be holding a Sunday worship meeting on 22nd November 2009.

For further information on the time and venue, please contact Jane by e-mail at

info {at} just-church.org(.)uk.

Courage MK is affiliated to the national organisation Courage, an evangelical Christian organisation, founded in 1988. Further details of the national organisation can be found at www.courage.org.uk.

Friends Together

An LGBT social group meeting in Bedford, Milton Keynes and surrounding area which holds regular nights out and social events – pub nights, club nights, meals out, cinema, bowling, etc. For more information visit their website.

Gay Outdoor Club

The Gay Outdoor Club operates throughout the UK and provides a wide range of outdoor and indoor sports and recreational activities for all LGBT people. These activities include walking, cycling, swimming, badminton, rock climbing, canoeing, caving, mountaineering, and skiing. GOC has over 1700 members and offers up to one hundred meets per month, in this country and overseas. The Milton Keynes & Buckinghamshire GOC group have a website here which is regularly updated.

HQMK Youth Group

HQMK is the Q:alliane weekly youth club at the Spot Youth Cafe in The Point, CMK. The groups offers a wide range of activities and services for young lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people, and for young people just questioning their sexuality or gender identity (aged 13-25). Click here for further details.

Lesbian and Bisexual Women’s Walking Group

The group usually meets once a month on a Sunday for a 4-6mile walk at 11am. Members bring along a packed lunch and have a drink in a pub afterwards. There are usually between 5 and 12 women on a walk. They are a very friendly group and ‘new walkers’ are most welcome (as well as their dogs). If you want to join the group send an email to danielabrumm {at} googlemail(.)com, and you’ll get sent details of the forthcoming walk.

The (LGBT) Stately Homes Visiting Group

Milton Keynes FFLAG (Friends & Families of Lesbians & Gays)

FFLAG (Friends and Families of Lesbians & Gays) is a group set up to support the friends and families of lesbians and gays, bisexual or transgender people. FFLAG are there for any one who has concerns over the sexuality of their family member or friend, where they are able to voice their fears, frustrations and joys. Where they can speak to some one who is coping, who understands and accepts their child’s sexuality. The national site is at www.fflag.org.uk, but their local contact Judith can be contacted on 01908 610607 or judithetaylor {at} hotmail.co(.)uk

Milton Keynes Lesbian Social Club

The Milton Keynes Lesbian Social group is an independently run social group with a variety of events and meetings. For further details or to attend an event please contact Jean on 01525 712606 or email jean {at} abbott35455.fsnet.co(.)uk.

The Planet

Meets on the second Sunday of the month at The Stables Bar, The Bull Hotel, 64 High Street, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes, MK11 1AQ From 7 -10.30pm. £3 admission on the door. For further information please email gezzigirl {at} aol(.)com, alternatively call or text on 07889 179596. The evening is all about meeting people, relaxing and listening to good music from Heartbeat Disco. There will be a licensed bar with the option of coffee, cocktails and non-alcoholic cocktails.

Rainbow Runners

A running group for Milton Keynes’s gay boys and girls to get out, get fit and meet new people on Wednesday nights running round Willen lake. They meet in front of the crazy golf course at 7pm every Wednesday. You can email keechy19 {at} googlemail(.)com or join their Facebook group for more details.

Secklow 100 Meetings

This is a relaxed LGBT social group that meets at 7.30 pm in The Secklow Hundred on Midsummer Boulevard in Milton Keynes every other Tuesday. For further details of dates, and to get hold of the organiser, email coco1973uk {at} yahoo.co(.)uk or if you fancy a relaxed night out, feel free to just turn up!

South East Asian Women’s Group

A new social group for South East Asian women who identify as gay or bisexual in the Milton Keynes and surrounding areas is being set up. The social group will involve activities such as eating out, bowling, badminton, going to the cinema, picnics (weather permitting!) and generally meeting up informally to network with other women. The group will be open to any other ideas that members may have for social networking. If anyone is interested they can email seaconnections {at} googlemail(.)com for further details.

Vibe MK

LGBT Venues

Pink Punters

A great LGBT club in Fenny Stratford, just outside of Milton Keynes. There is loads of information about the varied nights they put on and their opening hours at their website.

Pride Events

Celebr8

The 2009 Celebr8 parade took place on World Peace Day, 21 September 2009, celebrating the diversity of the entire Milton Keynes community – past, present and future as well as looking outwards towards the issues of global poverty. Visit the Celebr8 site for more details or view our archive of Celebr8 info, pics and videos.

Gay Pride UK

This organisation exists both as a UK Guide to Pride (so feel free to browse the site and find out information on a Gay Pride event near you) and also as a supporter of Pride. They have many interesting projects under way that will make pride a safer, more inclusive environment for us all. Visit them at www.gay-pride.org.uk.

Sexual Health Services

Brook MK

Offer a wide range of sexual health and advice services to anyone up to the age of 25. Click here for more details.

HIV & Syphilis Quick Testing

Click image for flyer

You can get free and confidential HIV and Syphilis testing without an appointment in Milton Keynes at the following places and times:

Every Monday 1pm-4pm @ Fishermead Medical Centre

Every Wednesday 3pm-6pm @ Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre

For more info contact Kenny Ncube at NHS Milton Keynes on 07770 221440 or kenny.ncube {at} mkpct.nhs(.)uk

Sexual Health Clinic

The Sexual Health Clinic at Milton Keynes Hospital offers a wide range of free and confidential services without the need for a GP referral. To book an appointment call 01908 243860. There is a direct line to the Health Advisor on 01908 690500. The opening hours are:

Mondays

9.00am-5.00pm appointments

1.30pm-3.30pm walk-in clinic

Tuesdays

9.00am- 5.00pm appointments

1.30pm-4.30pm walk-in clinic

Wednesdays

9.00am-5.00pm appointments

1.30pm-3.30pm walk-in clinic

Thursdays

9.00am-6.00pm including

3.00pm-6.00pm walk-in clinic

Fridays

9.00am-4.00pm appointments

The clinic offers a free and confidential service for the following:

• Diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
• Screening for STIs
• Treatment and councelling for STIs
• Sexual health advice and free condoms
• HIV

The last appointment is typically made 30 minute before closing. For further details, visit their website.

STaSS

STaSS is an independent HIV/AIDS support service in Milton Keynes. It works with people of all ages, races, genders, ethnic backgrounds, religious beliefs or sexual orientations. They run 3 support groups, one for men one for women and one mixed group. The dates and times of the support groups are on our events calendar. For further details, visit www.stass.org.uk or call 01908 282 185 (6:30-8pm) / 07950 397475.

For details of sexual health services in Buckinghamshire check out www.sexualhealthbucks.com

Support Services

We are currently developing a full list of local support services aimed at, or inclusive of, LGBT people. In the meantime, please visit our current Support Page.

If there is information you would like to see listed on this page, please email website {at} qalliance.org(.)uk