Chair; Event Organiser; Group Relations; Meetup New Member Welcome Messages; LGBT+ Community Group Liaison/Recruitment to Meetup

I came out at as a lesbian aged 26, shortly before my planned move to Birmingham. I’ve spent years being involved in different ways with the LGBT+ community. I’ve served in gay bars and on committees in organisations campaigning for LGBT+ equality.

Over the years I’ve been a member of a variety of LGBT+ social groups and after my wife died, when I was ready to try and socialise again, I used LGBT+ Meetup to make new connections with new people.

I’ve met some amazing people, made new friends and, although my darling wife is frequently in my thoughts and actions, I’m now blessed to be in a new fantastic relationship and looking forward thanks, in part, to the people in Rainbow Connections.

More about me? I’m a radio 4 listener, with a National Trust membership and an allotment ( Mmh, this is really making me sound like the stereotype of an older woman). I have a squirrel chasing doggo who often attends the Coffee & Cake meetup and enjoys her role as a greeter. I’ve a passion for good grammar, also for growing things, for genealogy (just the one letter ‘o’ in there people, I did mention the grammar thing didn’t I?) and for enabling LGBT+ people to make new friends in a safe environment (sound cheesy?- well I do mean it).

Secretary, event host

I’m 34 and have been out as a lesbian for roughly 7 years. Born and raised in Birmingham and have spent all my life here apart from 2 years where I  was studying at university in Chester.

I attend coffee and cake most months and co-host the pool and karaoke night on the last Friday of the month. I’m always up for a game of pool but please don’t ask me to participate in karaoke as I will make it rain, and nobody wants that 😅.

Aside from pool, I really enjoy watching football. I am a season ticket holder for the Birmingham City women’s team so go regularly to home games and watch them. Mostly I watch games on telly wherever possible.

I’m trying to teach myself photography so I can get out and about and take the best possible photos – not easy when on crutches but I try my hardest. Despite being on crutches long term, I enjoy getting out for a walk when I feel able to with the canal in the city centre and a country park not far from home being among my favourite places to go. There’s just something therapeutic for me about getting out in nature.

I found Meetup, and specifically Rainbow Connections about 4 or 5 years ago. It is the best thing that I could have found as everyone that I have met through attending events have been really friendly. Attending the events give a safe, welcoming space for everyone and they are a great way to make friends.

If you see me at a meetup (look out for blue crutches with reflector type stickers), please come and say hi.

Website and flyers

Hi there. I was brought up in Kent, but lived in Birmingham since 1999. This is home now. 

I came out in my early 20s, back in the days when there were no obvious gay role models to help me work it out! (John Inman in Are you being served? was the nearest we got, and that just confused me more...). I'm a relative newbie to the Rainbow Connections meetups, but they're a lovely group of people who definitely helped keep me sane coming out of the pandemic...

I've had a slightly bizarre career route that included theatre, wildlife, children's homes, education, and communities. I now run a small charity that runs volunteering and community projects. As well as volunteering for Rainbow Connections I helped set up the first ever Bromsgrove Pride, and have volunteered at an LGBT youth group.

If you see me at a meetup, please come over and say hello!

Social Media Manager,

I'm a 28 year old Brummie Gay Man. 

I attend coffee and cake when I can to help our leader Bryony with the mass of attendees and  produce Instagram  Facebook and Meetup content each week using the latest software (manually rather than with AI ofc...although I suppose you have to take my word for it these days!)

I like History and bodybuilding (so fairly stereotypical) and in my spare time I like to cosume far more political media than is generally considered healthy.  

Rainbow Connections is an important part of this city and I would encourage you to volunteer - with the events expanding we need more hands on deck. Its a really nice environment whether you're volunteering or simply joining as a member. 

Keep making friends X

Event Organiser; LGBT+ Community Group Liason / Recruitment to Meetup

Hi, I have lived in the Birmingham area since somewhere around 2001. My day job is in Management Reporting (don't ask, nobody really understands what it is) and I run a couple of safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people with mental health issues, currently in Bloxwich and Dudley.

I have been using Meetup for a while now, and can be regularly seen at the Coffee and Cake and Getting to know you sessions, I also tag along on Matt's photography walks quite often. If you see me at a meetup, please come over and say hi.

Treasurer; Finance

HI everybody my name is Karen Baker I am a boring accounts person, until you get to know me!! I grew up in a small village in Essex, yes I’m an Essex girl (well not typically) 

I have spent most of my life in the East Anglian countryside which makes me a pretty good shot and a confident country road driver. I lived in Liverpool from the age of 25 for seven years so I have seen some city life however my girlfriend at the time was not out so I did not get to see the Liverpool scene.

I love cars and have had some fabulous ones over the years, but my practical Honda now is proving it’s a great time to have an economical vehicle. Once I have completed my commuting from Suffolk to Birmingham it may well be time to start looking around for something a little more exciting. 

I am looking forward to being able to travel again and can’t wait to get back to Portugal. I used to go over a couple of times a year and consider it my second home. I normally base myself in the Algarve and travel all over in a hire car. I have been going since the 1980’s so I have seen plenty of change in the country and certain areas are now a little too commercialised for my liking. The Portuguese haven’t changed though they are still such lovely friendly people.

It is now my pleasure to be able to help Bryony with her LGBTQ+ work and be able to offer something to the community myself. I hope to see you at an event soon.

I am Tina, a Ghanaian woman who was born and raised in Ghana, where l developed a strong sense of community and resilience. I pursued my higher education at Catholic University, earning a degree in Public Health. My academic background reflects my passion for improving the wellbeing of others and contributing positively to society.

Currently, l lives in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, in the United Kingdom. I am a proud member of Rainbow Connection, Journey LGBTQ Asylum Group,Stories of Hope and Home and Micro Rainbow where l find support, belonging, and a sense of identity within the LGBTQ+ community. As a lesbian woman seeking sanctuary in the UK, l demonstrates courage and determination in building a safe and authentic life for myself.

I actively participates in coffee meetings and various LGBTQ+ activities, where l connects with others, shares experiences, and contributes to a supportive and inclusive environment. My journey reflects strength, hope, and a commitment to living openly and truthfully. Thank you.