Local Chapters

Local Chapters

Rebuilding Gay Male Community, Locally

HumanGayMale local chapters are about rebuilding gay male community where it matters most — in real life, at a local level. Chapters bring gay men together in their own cities and regions for regular, in-person connection, whether through social meet-ups, walks, talks, speaker events or other activities shaped by local members.

They reflect the human in HumanGayMale: embodied, present, and grounded in shared experience rather than online abstraction. As our membership grows, we are expanding our network of chapters and supporting members to create welcoming, sustainable spaces for gay men based on clarity, safeguarding and community.

What Is a Local Chapter?

A local chapter is a group of gay men in a particular city or region who meet up regularly through HumanGayMale. Chapters are member-led, flexible, and shaped by the people involved.

Some chapters meet monthly for informal social events; others organise walks, speaker evenings, or a mix of formats. What matters is consistency, openness, and a shared commitment to creating real-world opportunities for gay men to connect.

While in-person events are central, chapters also make practical use of online tools — such as WhatsApp groups and occasional Zoom calls — to stay in touch, welcome new members, and build momentum towards face-to-face meet-ups. All online spaces associated with local chapters are moderated in line with our Code of Conduct, to ensure they remain welcoming, relevant and on mission.

What Chapters Do

Local chapters typically:

  • Host regular in-person events and social meet-ups
  • Provide a welcoming local point of contact for new members
  • Use WhatsApp groups to share updates, organise events and keep in touch
  • Occasionally hold Zoom calls, particularly in early stages or across wider regions
  • Help rebuild gay male community life at a local level
  • Feed local perspectives and experiences into the wider HumanGayMale work and plans

Chapters vary in size and activity level, and that’s expected. Starting small and growing organically is encouraged.

Where We Have Chapters

HumanGayMale currently holds regular events in a growing number of cities and regions, with more locations added as local membership develops. London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, and Brighton all hold regular events, and occasional events have started in Bristol and around the South West of England.

We haven’t launched the formal chapter structure yet, as we are developing exactly what this will look like as part of a session at our 2026 conference, but most of these locations are ready, or almost ready, to become Chapters.

In some areas, members are already connected through WhatsApp groups even if in-person events have not yet started. These groups help build critical mass, share information, and prepare the ground for future events.

 

Starting a New Chapter

If there isn’t yet a chapter in your area, you don’t need to wait for permission to get involved.

Starting a chapter can be as simple as:

  • expressing interest
  • helping set up a local WhatsApp group
  • organising a first informal meet-up in a café or pub

You don’t need to be an activist, spokesperson, or organiser by profession. What matters is reliability, good judgement, and a shared commitment to HumanGayMale’s core principles.

As a chapter develops, a small coordinating committee is established to support continuity, safeguarding and communication with the wider organisation. HumanGayMale can provide guidance, visibility, and support as chapters get off the ground.

What We Expect from Chapter Organisers

To keep chapters welcoming, sustainable and aligned with our purpose, we ask that organisers:

  • Respect HumanGayMale’s vision, mission and values
  • Uphold safeguarding principles and clear boundaries
  • Foster respectful discussion and diversity of thought among gay men
  • Communicate clearly and reliably with local members

Local chapters do not take public positions or speak on behalf of HumanGayMale unless agreed in advance.

How to Get Involved

You can get involved with local chapters in several ways:

  • Join an existing chapter in your area
  • Take part in local WhatsApp groups or Zoom calls
  • Suggest a new city or region for future events
  • Volunteer to help organise or support local activity

If you’re interested in starting or supporting a chapter, or would like to suggest a new location, please get in touch via email.

Growing Together

Local chapters are the foundation of HumanGayMale’s work. Through small, consistent, in-person gatherings – supported by practical online tools – we are rebuilding the friendships, networks and community life that gay men need to thrive.

As our network grows, this page will continue to develop with new locations, guidance and opportunities to get involved.