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Huddersfield Gay Group (HuGG), the social group for gay and bi men aged 18+, celebrates its fifth anniversary this month.
It was formed in April 2001 by David Armitage who was working as a volunteer with MSM (Brunswick Centre) in Halifax. When the organisation acquired offices in Huddersfield it seemed a good opportunity to address local need.
Armitage carried out research and took advice from various social groups and organisations throughout the UK. Much tortuous thought was given to a name, with HandDB&GG. (Huddersfield AND District Bisexual & Gay Group) being a possibility! However, HuGG seemed a more welcoming title than some of the other suggestions!
‘The first meeting attracted ten men,’ says Armitage. ‘Funding was obtained from the West Yorkshire Policing Initiative and the group advertised for the first time in Shout! and the local press. A constitution and ground rules were drawn up. Soon after this, the website www.hugg.org.uk went live, with lots of information about the group including the “Diary of Activities”, “How to Find Us”, and a page of useful links to local organisations. The website recently won a Gold Award from GayLifeUK and regularly appears in the Top 20 in a listing of Yorkshire sites.
‘The friendly and welcoming atmosphere and weekly fayre of a quiz, game, presentation or guest speaker continued to attract new members and numbers slowly grew,’ continues Armitage. ‘In the five years since it began, members have come and gone but three or four of the original members still attend. Love has also blossomed where current partners first met at a HuGG meeting. Currently the group attracts around 12 men with highest attendance being 23.
‘In addition to the Tuesday evening meetings, HuGG also meets at other times for dining out, 10-pin bowling, cinema, theatre, walking, cycling, nights out and weekends away. The bars and clubs of Manchester’s Canal Street are popular nights out and the group has also had a Blackpool weekend and a three-night stay in Amsterdam. Discussion is underway for a group break to Gran Canaria.
‘HuGG has met with other organisations such as HAGG (Halifax Area Gay Group) and Leeds LGB Switchboard and is keen to network with other groups and organisations in the future. A representative from the group is involved with the organising committee for the Kirklees Out&About Festival.
HuGG is also an official ‘Hate Incident Reporting Centre’ for the Kirklees area and reports may be made to a trained member of the group in complete confidence (and anonymity if required). They are also an affiliate member of outeverywhere.com’
The members of HuGG would like to thank Kirklees Community Safety Partnership for continued use of their Brook Street premises.
Phone: 07773 588628
Web: www.hugg.org.uk
Email: info@hugg.org.uk
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