About this event:

An opportunity to meet other LGBTQ+ families outdoors for a chance to chat, connect and get involved in your community.

Enjoy the fresh air and beautiful setting of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh as we create a space for you and your children to be around other LGBTQ+ families. We’ve organised some nature crafts and games for the wee ones too!

We're gathering at the outdoor space at the Terrace Café, where accessible toilets , changing facilities and refreshments are available - https://www.rbge.org.uk/visit/royal-botanic-garden-edinburgh/food-and-drink/

We know how hard it can be to attend at specific times, so please feel welcome to drop by at any point between 10am and 1pm. You'll find Jules and team in the seated outdoor area by the Terrace cafe, a short walk from the John Hope Gateway entrance of the Botanics.

We will facilitate some games for the small people nearby to the cafe, so if you arrive a bit later you'll find us either at the cafe or nearby.

A bit about terminology and who is welcome:

We use the terms 'LGBTQ+ families' and 'Rainbow Families', as we recognise that along with LGBTQ+ parents and carers , who need a safe space to socialise and come together, their kids do too and some of those kids may also identify as LGBTQ+.

We also recognise that not all non-heterosexual and cisgender terms are explicitly represented by 'LGBTQ+' but we want you to know that we welcome the entire diversity of our LGBTQ+ community including non-binary, pansexual, queer, intersex, asexual people and all identities under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella.

We would also like to explicitly state that Bi+ and Pan people are welcome (and celebrated!) at our Rainbow Families events, as we know how hard it is to be seen and understood, in the often hetero-cis dominant world of parenting and family support.

We want to ensure that all LGBTQ+ family members feel safe, validated and respected in our spaces and hopefully experience the joy and connection of meeting like-minded folk.

Creating a Safe Space

Please read our Safe Spaces Commitment before attending our events, so that you are familiar with our expectations of how we can create a safe and welcoming space for everybody - https://www.lgbthealth.org.uk/whats-on/information-events/

We will also be sending some information ahead of the event, to all attendees, about our expectations in regards to limiting the risk of Covid-19. Along with this being an outdoor event, we will be asking families to be mindful of certain things, to help keep our event as Covid-safe as possible. Please keep an eye out for this email from Jules in early November.

Covid-19:

This event is part of a limited number of in-person events in the Edinburgh Community Programme, with limited numbers and COVID-19 safety measures in place for social distancing.

All necessary steps have been taken to reduce the risk of COVID, however that risk can never be reduced to zero. Any event may be cancelled or postponed due to unforeseen circumstances relating to coronavirus, or if Scottish Government guidance changes.

When booking we will ask you for your home address and contact details as part of Track and Trace. This information will be kept for a maximum of 21 days and not used for any other purpose.

How to join:

Please complete the booking form and include any access needs your family would like us to be aware of. Booking is essential. You will receive a confirmation and Jules will email attendees directly with more information, before the event.

Access:

If there is anything you need to talk to us about in advance to help you access the event, please share in your booking form or email Jules:

jules@lgbthealth.org.uk