Prior Years Timeline

LGB groups and networks established: Northern Older Lesbian Network (NOLN), Mesmac, and social evenings at the gay-owned Bavaria pub.

LGB group formed to participate in Bradford’s 20:20 Vision. Met in Central Library with support from Bradford Council to develop an LGB plan for 2000 and sought funding.

• Bradford LGB Network set up with funding from Comic Relief and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund
• Rented an office in Bradford Resource Centre and employed a Community Development Worker
• Ran occasional Saturday events at St Peters House for socializing, fun, and discussing community needs
• Developed an LGB Action Plan and expressed a strong desire for ‘A Room of Our Own’
• Participated in Bradford’s ‘Network of Networks’
• Debated the potential impact of managing a community centre on their campaigning efforts.

Equity Centre Steering Group formed with support from Bradford Council, which seconded a worker to assist in finding premises for an LGB Community Centre.

• The Equity Centre Steering Group and Bradford LGB Network merged to form the Equity Partnership (formally named Bradford LGB Strategic Partnership)
• A new constitution was agreed upon and funding bids were developed
• Mesmac decided to pursue their own initiatives and withdrew support for a joint community centre
• The Equity Centre was set up, continuing to bring LGB groups together
• Equity Radio was established
• Received short-term funding from the NHS for a part-time Health Worker, leading to the first LGB Health Needs Assessment for Bradford and subsequent funding.

• Public launch of Equity Partnership with a launch concert by Gay Abandon at Victoria Hotel
• Made an out appearance in the Lord Mayor’s Parade
• Organised the first Pride Event by Equity Partnership in Peel Park
• Secured funding from Bradford Council for a full-time Community Development Worker and to run the community centre. The organisation also acted as an Infrastructure Support Organisation for LGB groups.

Received a five-year grant from the Big Lottery, enabling a focus on community development work and strategic efforts to influence the priorities and services of mainstream organisations.

The first Pride event was held in City Park.

• The inaugural LGB Awards took place
• The first regional LGB&T conference for older adults was held in York, in collaboration with Mesmac, Help the Aged, Future Years, the Brunswick Centre, and Age Concern.

Launched the ‘25 Ways’ booklet series, offering support across various demographics: general, youth, older adults, and trans individuals. Additional booklets focused on depression and dementia were created, user-led and developed with Age Concern York and the Alzheimer’s Society.

Launched a dedicated service for BME LGB&T individuals.

Published the BME Women’s research project, The Challenge of Diversity.

• A year of growth and stability for the organization
• The People’s Health Trust project and Henry Smith-funded Trans support project thrived
• Launched the Phoenix youth group, supporting young people exploring their gender identity, with some members attending a summer camp
• Collaborated with key organisations including the Care Quality Commission, Bradford Council, Bradford Hospital Trust, Bradford District Care Trust, and West Yorkshire Police.

A challenging year as the organisation lost 40% of its funding following the end of the Bradford Council Public Health Grant. This led to reduced staff and services, but the partnership with CBMDC Youth Service ensured vital services for LGBTQ youth continued.

• Despite budget cuts, the organisation continued its work for the LGBTQ+ community, with ongoing support from Bradford Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner, and People’s Postcode Trust
• In March 2019, funding from the Clothmaker’s Foundation enabled the refurbishment of the Equity Centre.

• Developed the LGBTQ Inclusion Charter for organisations in Bradford to sign up to, providing training and certification
• Helped organise Bradford Pride 2019 and launched the Bradford Rainbow Club, supporting around 50 LGBT asylum seekers.

• The Covid-19 pandemic forced the closure of the Equity Centre and a shift to remote work and online group meetings. Although some groups struggled to adapt, virtual activities like quizzes, yoga, and creative writing helped maintain community engagement
• Hosted England’s first virtual Bradford Pride.

• Equity Partnership resumed many in-person group meetings and relaunched its LGBTQ+ Training Awareness package with updated content
• Introduced new support groups and reinstated existing ones.

The Equity Charity expanded its role and became the primary organiser of Bradford Pride, making it the biggest and most successful LGBT+ event in the city’s history.