The Gay Girls Guide

Ever wondered what is actually available for lesbian and bisexual (LB) women in your area? Perhaps where your local lesbian bar or club night is, where you can go to discuss lesbian politics and issues, or if there is an all-female sports group nearby? Jeni Quirke has been working hard to find out exactly what there really is just for gay women around the North West.

MANCHESTER

If you live in Manchester’s unique and vibrant city then you are definitely one of the luckiest lesbians alive. Well known for its long tradition of celebrating diversity and promoting tolerance the city is home to the world famous gay village, Canal Street, two all-girl gay bars and a lesbian shop.

Vanilla - First up we have Vanilla. The compact but lively and stylish women's bar opened up in 1998 in the heart of Manchester's gay village on Richmond St and has since been a huge hit with younger lesbians www.vanillagirls.co.uk

Coyotes – An equally popular two-floor lesbian’s retreat, which opened on Chorlton Street in 2003. The bar offers regular footy, live entertainment, karaoke and a number of themed nights throughout the year www.coyotesbar.co.uk

Black Angel – A club night aimed primarily at Black and Asian lesbians, which attracts a diverse crowd of mixed ages, races and genders. Takes place the last Saturday of each Month at Manchester’s Green Room, Whitworth Street West. 0161 228 0585

Girls Go Down – A new monthly night for girls, who like girls, coming soon from the organisers of Girls Go Down Liverpool. www.girlsgodownevents.com

Núa - A lesbian owned shop and website based in Manchester, selling bespoke and specialist sex toys, stunning art, hand made jewellery, books and dvds. www.nualifestyle.com

Manchester Groups

Manchester offers a vast range of social, support and networking groups for all LB women, of different ages, interests and backgrounds. These include discussion groups, sports groups, drop-in sessions and lots more…

Disabled Lesbians Group - A support and social group for lesbian women who are disabled (by the scene, society and their community) at the Lesbian Community Project (LCP) 0161 273 7128

Lesbian Discussion Group - Interested in lesbian politics? Then share your views with like-minded women every month from 7pm-8.30pm at the LCP. Forthcoming topics: 19th Sept – BDSM: Still in the closet? 17th Oct – Love at first sight: Lust or love? 0161 273 7128

North West Older Lesbians' Network – A social and support group for older LB women meeting every first Saturday of the month from 1pm to 4pm at the Lesbian and Gay Foundation (LGF). 0161 273 7128

Carousel – A social and support group for LB women meeting on the first, third and fifth (when there is one) Tuesday of the month from 7.30pm at LGF. Activities include quizzes, meals out and video evenings. 0161 235 8035

Rainbow Families – A monthly group bringing together lesbian parents, co-parents, parents to be and their children. Next drop-in event taking place 9th September, 2-5pm www.rainbowfamilies.co.uk

LIKT – A young LB women's project who meet at 6.30pm one Monday a month at the Lesbian and Gay Centre, and usually have one social event a month on a Saturday. www.likt.org.uk

MORF – A monthly social group for transguys in the North West. They welcome female-born/raised individuals who identify as transgender, transsexual, intersexual, gender questioning etc. www.morf.org.uk

Stepping Stones - A support group for LB women who are new to the area, recently out of a relationship or in the process of coming out. They meet every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 7.30pm to 9pm at the LGF. lgfsteppingstones@hotmail.com

Sports/Activities

Stingers Women's Football Club – A football club for all LB women interested in having a kick-around or joining the team to play matches. The club train every Wednesday night in South Manchester and play most matches on Sundays. www.manchesterstingers.net

Athena – A new social group for gay women living and/or working in the North West. Events include a wide range of activities both on and off the scene. Next meeting 23rd August for a night at Manchester’s Palace Theatre and 25th for a Manchester Pride champagne breakfast. www.geocities.com/funwithathena

Jessie’s Lesbian Walking Group – An inclusive self-organised group for LB women of all ages who enjoy walking and talking. Walks usually take place on the last Sunday of the month. manchesterjessies@yahoo.co.uk

Let's Do Lunch – A dining group for lesbians to meet like-minded women. They meet at 2pm on the second Sunday of every other month. Next meeting 9th September. www.lesbiandiners.co.uk

SM Dykes – A group which aims to support LB SM-ers through meetings and play parties. The group meets on the 1st Sunday of the month at 7.30pm in Taurus bar on Canal Street. www.smdykes.org.uk

LIVERPOOL

Lesbian Book Group - A popular monthly lesbian book group meeting on the last Tuesday of every month at 8pm. Various venues. clairemawplsey@yahoo.co.uk

Girls Go Down - A fabulous night for girls who like girls, wherever you sit on the rainbow. Great mix of ages and backgrounds. The event runs on the first Sunday of every month and the doors open at 8pm. www.girlsgodownevents.com

Girls, Girls, Films! – A new monthly film group for lesbian and bisexual women who like to watch films and chat about them afterwards. See the website for dates of upcoming meetings www.girlsgodownevents.com

Divas, a new group for women, which meets every Monday from 6pm-9pm at the Armistead Centre on Stanley Street. Activities include meals out, picnics, film nights and walks. Lynsey.Jones@armistead.nwest.nhs.uk

BLACKPOOL

Lucy’s Two - Blackpool’s only lesbian bar situated in the centre of town on Abingdon Street. The two floor venue regularly offers themed nights and lots of karaoke. lucystwo.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk

LEEDS

Blayde’s Bar - A popular and lively cosy bar on Blayds Yard in the centre of Leeds gay scene with predominantly female clientele. 01132 445590

CUMBRIA

Cumbria Lesbians Network – A drop-in group for LB women meeting at the Brewery Centre in Kendal on the first Saturday of every month from 1pm onwards. Other activities include walks, films, plays, concerts etc. clnetwork@sky.com

Literary Lesbians book group – A popular book group for all LB women meeting every six weeks. clnetwork@sky.com

TODMORDEN

Todmorden Women’s Disco – The popular Tod disco is held at the Todmorden Cricket Club, Burnley Road on the second Saturday of the month. www.myspace.com/tod_disco

HEBDEN BRIDGE

Nelsons Wine Bar - A very friendly lesbian owned wine bar, which is popular with the ladies! Situated on Crown Street. 01422 844782

LANCASTER

Dancing Divas Women Only Disco – A small non profit group, organising women only discos in Lancaster at regular intervals throughout the year at The Gregson Centre, Moor Lane. Next events September 1 and October 27. www.lavenderlounge.co.uk/id19.html

Lavender Lounge – Regular evenings of cabaret and fun for all LB women wanting to get out and have a good time. www.lavenderlounge.co.uk

Lunettes – An established monthly lesbian social group for women of all ages. Activities include walks, meals, cinema and theatre trips, DVD nights, bike rides, games afternoons, picnics, and lots more. lunettes@btinternet.com

Lezzie Camp – A one or two week yearly camp for dykes and kids in the North West. www.lezziecamp.co.uk

CHESTER

Ferale – A brand new group for women who enjoy real ale. Activities include pub crawls of good beer pubs, visits to beer festivals and brewery tours, country walks and bike rides ending with rewarding pints at lovely pubs. www.ferale.webeden.co.uk

STOCKPORT

Stockport Youth Service - Stockport Youth Service runs a weekly group for young LB women. They provide support, activities and socials at The Base Youth Project Wednesday and Thursday evenings 7pm-9.30pm. thebase@stockport.gov.uk