Full write-up coming soon

The LGBTQ+ Diaspora Project "Home to Be" 

Pride in North Cumbria in collaboration with Afrikana CIC is proud to launch a new and important initiative, The LGBTQ+ Diaspora Project: Home to be aimed at creating a safe and inclusive space for members of the diaspora community, including refugees, asylum seekers, young people and adults, to explore gender, sexuality and identity.

This project will develop a dedicated LGBTQ+ group for the diaspora community, providing a welcoming environment for people to meet, share experiences and plan activities that promote visibility and inclusion. Many individuals from diaspora backgrounds have faced discrimination, persecution or danger in their countries of origin because of their gender or sexuality. For many, expressing who they truly are has never felt safe. This project seeks to change that.

Over a 12-month pilot period, the group will meet regularly to build connections, offer peer support and influence local policies to ensure that the needs and voices of minority communities are heard and represented. After the first six months, we will evaluate the project’s impact and explore further funding opportunities if it is shown to meet a genuine need.

The project’s core aim is to make people feel safe, valued and confident in embracing their gender and sexuality. We recognise the complex barriers many people face including personal beliefs, cultural pressures and fears about being accepted by peers from their own communities.

We are fortunate to have strong partnerships with local organisations whose work supports the diaspora community, including Multicultural Cumbria, Cumberland Place of Sanctuary, CRAG, ARC, and Afrikana CIC. Through these partnerships, we will promote the project, reach those who may benefit and ensure that people feel supported at every step.

Our team will use social media, text communication and face-to-face contact to keep people informed and connected. We will also produce literature and host workshops to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues and encourage open dialogue within diaspora spaces.

This project is unique because it addresses the specific challenges faced by people from cultural or religious backgrounds where being LGBTQ+ is not accepted and, in some cases, is criminalised. By creating a safe space, we hope to show that LGBTQ+ identities are accepted, celebrated and respected within the wider Cumbrian community.

Working closely with Afrikana CIC, which is developing new community spaces and services for diaspora communities, this project will focus on providing a safe environment where individuals can be themselves without fear or judgment.

Carlisle has grown more diverse in recent years, with many new cultures enriching our community. Yet, there are still very few spaces specifically for the diaspora community and none that focus on gender and sexuality. The LGBTQ+ Diaspora Project seeks to fill that gap, ensuring that everyone has access to understanding, acceptance, and community support.

Through consultation, surveys, workshops, and community engagement, we will listen to the experiences of diaspora LGBTQ+ individuals, learn about the barriers they face, and work together to find solutions.

Safe spaces are vital for the LGBTQ+ community, especially for those who have had to hide their true selves. By coming together, we can build solidarity across cultures and show that Carlisle is a place where everyone belongs.