We at Oldham Council champion diversity, equality and inclusivity.
The LGBTQI community is a huge part of Oldham and we want to make sure those of you who identify with this demographic feel included, accepted and valued.
We also want to raise awareness of the discrimination and hate that people experience due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Alongside our partner agencies, we encourage reporting of hate crimes, promote enforcement and we work to challenge and change the attitudes of individuals who discriminate or perpetrate crimes against LGBTQI+ people.
According to the charity, Stonewall:
- A fifth of LGBTQI+ people have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity in the past 12 months.
- Two in five trans people have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their gender identity in the last 12 months.
- Around 80% of anti-LGBT hate crimes and incidents go unreported, with younger people particularly reluctant to go to the police.
Stonewall, 2022
If you’re a member of the LGBTQI+ community and have experienced a crime instigated because of your sexual orientation or gender identity, please use our website to report this:
Support
We’ve pulled together some resources for those of you who may are in need of support or who may want to be more involved with groups within the LGBTQI+ community:
- Stonewall – National charity offering Information and support for LGBT communities and their allies
- Youth Out in Oldham – Run by the Proud Trust, this is a weekly group for LGBT+ young people and those questioning their gender or sexuality aged 13-19 (and up to 25 with additional needs) who live or spend time in Oldham.
- OLGBT Out and About - An informal social support group for older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Oldham
- LGBT Foundation – A charity offering all manner of support to the LGBTQI+ community
- Tog Mind – Mental health support for the people of Tameside Oldham and Glossop.
- Oldham Pride Weekend 2023 – Dates to be confirmed
- Domestic Violence support in Oldham – Oldham resources for anyone experiencing domestic abuse
- National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0800 999 5428
- LGBT+ Hate Crime Helpline - 0207 704 2040
- National Conversion Therapy Helpline- 0800 130 3335
“Many people don’t talk about it but I think LGBT people still need help and support. Some come out in later life and although I’m 78 now, I do think it’s vital to know about what support you can get, when you are younger, as you never know when you might need it.”
- Terrence from Chadderton
Read more about Terrence’s experience at LGBT Foundation 10 Stories
“There are multiple reasons why we chose to foster, all of equal importance. We both have grown up kids and have positive relationships with them. In truth I think we kind of miss the whole ‘having a young person around’ thing. Yes it can be hard work at times like most children, but it is also so much fun.”
- Sean and Steven, Oldham foster carers
Join the conversation
If you live in Oldham and are part of the LGBTQI+ community, we’re interested in sharing your stories.
Send them to us on our social media channels or email: communications@oldham.gov.uk