About Us

OutWest is one of the largest LGBT groups in London, currently serving seven out of the thirty two boroughs of London. OutWest are currently represented in the London Boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames.

OutWest began life in 1988 as Hounslow Lesbian and Gay Group, one of the few LGBT groups in London at that time. Although it briefly suspended activities in the late 1990's it reformed in 2001 and was rebranded as OutWest. Over the last seven years, OutWest has moved from strength to strength and is now consulted on by service providers such as the Metropolitan Police, Hounslow Homes, the West London LGBT Forum, the Richmond upon Thames LGBT Forum, to name but a few! OutWest is a voluntary organisation that relies on limited funding from some statutory bodies.

OutWest is run by two co-chairs, supported by a team of seven other officers, elected by our membership of 300 each year. As well as our team of officers, members of the organisation also assist in areas that interest them and where they hold expertise. Our membership includes local councillors, police officers, staff in Higher Education, housing officers and landlords/managers of the local LGBT venues of varying ages from 18 to 80. Our members meet at general meetings every 3rd Thursday of the month in Twickenham to hold the officers team to account and to also discuss and agree on the future direction of the organisation.

We cover a large area of interest and support including immigration, housing, LGBT sport, police liasion, health, sexual health awareness and education. This said, OutWest also have a very busy social calendar and hold a major event each month from events in LGBT Venues to celebrate LGBT History Month and World AIDS Day to our flagship event which is a coach trip from at least four different venues to Brighton each August to enable our members to revel at Brighton Pride.

We are always happy to welcome new members, you can join online via our 'Join' page on the website.