London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard

Calm words
when you need
them most

LLGS HELPLINE

LLGS HELPLINE

The London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard award-winning helpline is open between 10am and 11pm every day of the week, 365 days a year.

Our helpline number is:

0300 330 0630

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INSTANT MESSAGING

INSTANT MESSAGING

It's a place to talk about things that may be difficult to talk about anywhere else....a place to find non-judgemental support and help.

It's confidential, secure and a way of reaching out for help, perhaps when you don't know where else to turn.

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LLGS EMAIL SUPPORT

LLGS EMAIL SUPPORT

You can email LLGS at any time. Its a confidential space for you to talk about anything you like.

You can tell us about your situation, ask for information such as a local support group or ask about safer sex or sexual health.

You may simply just want to share your thoughts with us.

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LLGS DATABASE

LLGS DATABASE

The Turing Network database is a community driven directory for LGBT life.

Search over 3000 entries for a support group, LGBT organisation, social group or a bar in your area.

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Sexual Health

Sexual health is an important issue for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and generally for men who have sex with men and women who have sex with women. Most sex education in schools and public health campaigns focus on heterosexual sex, but gay and bisexual men are one of the groups most affected by the sexual transmission of HIV in the UK.

Lesbians and bisexual women also need to access the same high quality health services as other women, but may be less likely to because they are concerned about coming out to healthcare providers.

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In the 1980s, London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard were the leading source of information on the then new and unknown disease HIV/AIDS. Our volunteers went on to set up some of the UK's leading HIV charities, such as THT and NAM.

We provide information on safer sex and how to manage high-risk behaviour such as drug and alcohol use, which increases the risk of HIV transmission.

As with every single one of our calls, we provide confidential information and support around sexual health, including HIV and AIDS, regardless of gender or reason for the call. Our service provides you with the environment to ask questions that you might not feel comfortable asking a doctor or sexual health professional face to face.

Factsheets are also available by clicking here.

Our helpline volunteers may refer you to other HIV prevention services for example:

GMFA

The UK's leading gay men's health charity, with particular focus on sex and sexual health.

GMI Partnership
A partnership of Positive East, the Metro Centre and West London Gay Men’s Project - developing, delivering and evaluating HIV prevention and sexual health promotion services targeting men who have sex with men.

PACE
A London-based charity promoting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

NHS Camden
The local NHS organisation responsible for providing healthcare for people who live in Camden. The Camden Good Sexual Health team runs the Freedoms scheme, providing free condoms and lube to gay bars and clubs across the capital and low price name-brand condoms (www.freedoms-shop.nhs.uk).

African HIV Policy Network
An umbrella organisation of mostly African-led community-based organisations that enables Africans to speak with a collective and representative voice on matters of HIV and sexual health.

National AIDS Manual / AIDSMAP
An organisation which shares a large amount of information on HIV and AIDS.

Terrence Higgins Trust
The leading and largest HIV and sexual health charity in the UK, offering a range of services throughout England, Scotland and Wales – many of them tailored to suit the varied needs of diverse communities.