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Have Your Say: Help Shape LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse Services in Leeds
The LDVS Voices project is running consultations throughout November 2026 to ensure local domestic violence and abuse services truly reflect and support victim survivors across Leeds. This marks the very first time victim survivors have been invited to directly influence the official service specification before it goes out to tender, with the new service contract beginning in April 2028.Organised in partnership with MESMAC and the Leeds Domestic Violence Service (LDVS), these sessions offer a safe, confidential space for community members to share their views on how local support systems can be improved.
Latest news
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“We keep asking Black communities what the barriers are, then don't act on the answers”
· 6 min read
Yorkshire Queer Minds is MESMAC’s new project dedicated to improving LGBTQIA+ mental health and wellbeing across Yorkshire through counselling, peer support, and community action. To celebrate Black History Month, we’re speaking with inspiring figures making a positive impact in Yorkshire's Black communities to explore identity, wellbeing, and life experiences. Our Second feature is with Dr Carlyn Boyce. Dr Boyce is an accredited cognitive behavioural psychotherapist, EMDR therapist and Senior Teaching Fellow in CBT at the University of Leeds. She has over 15 years’ experience in mental health and advocates for culturally sensitive therapy and better access to support for Black communities.
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"I Don't Have to Be Exceptional All the Time"
· 6 min read
Yorkshire Queer Minds is MESMAC’s new project dedicated to improving LGBTQIA+ mental health and wellbeing across Yorkshire through counselling, peer support, and community action.To celebrate Black History Month, we’re speaking with inspiring figures making a positive impact in Yorkshire's Black communities to explore identity, wellbeing, and life experiences.Our first feature is Jamal Gerald an award-winning, Leeds-based artist and writer known for his conversational, unapologetic, and provocative work. We caught up with Jamal to discuss how his identity shapes both his art and everyday life.
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Trans Health & Wellbeing Day: Community, Care, and Connection at Park Court
· 2 min read
MESMAC, Trans Leeds, My Voice, Pigeon, and Sapphic Bison are hosting a Trans Health & Wellbeing Day at Park Court on 31st October from 10am-4pm, offering hormone blood tests, voice workshops, peer support, and sexual health testing with a Halloween twist.
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Paint-a-Brick Workshop
· 1 min read
We're marking Pride in Hull with a free to attend workshop in the city centre to learn more about Pride, the Stonewall riots and to get creative together.
- Hull
- Pride
- LGBTQ+
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Announcing our new, expanded counselling service
· 2 min read
MESMAC's free, six-session LGBTQ+ counselling service is expanding from Bradford and Leeds to also accept referrals from people living in Hull and South Yorkshire.
- Bradford
- Hull
- Leeds
- Rotherham
- South Yorkshire
- Mental Health
- Counselling
- LGBTQ+
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Position of HIV organisations on trans rights and the EHRC’s draft Code of Practice
· 4 min read
HIV support organisations, including MESMAC, set out their concerns that the Supreme Court ruling on biological sex and the EHRC's draft Code of Practice risk harming trans people and undermining the Equality Act.
- Trans
- Yorkshire MESMAC
- HIV
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Our Hull Office is Moving!
· 2 min read
MESMAC's Hull office is moving to 8 King Street (HU1 2JJ), opening on 2 June, with drop-in testing and support continuing throughout the move.
- Hull
- Yorkshire MESMAC
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Leeds Fast-Track Cities Community Grants Programme
· 2 min read
A joint Leeds City Council and MESMAC grants programme funds local community projects tackling stigma around HIV, TB and hepatitis, supporting Leeds' Fast-Track City goal of 'Triple Zero' by 2030.
- HIV
- Leeds
- Hep C
- AIDS
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National HIV Testing Week 2025
· 3 min read
National HIV Testing Week returns from 10 February, with MESMAC offering free, confidential HIV testing - including self-test and postal kits and drop-in sessions - across Yorkshire.
- HIV
- STI
- Yorkshire MESMAC
- Leeds
- Bradford
- Hull
- Rotherham
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World AIDS Day 2024
· 1 min read
This World AIDS Day, MESMAC reflects on how far HIV treatment has come - with effective medication making the virus undetectable and untransmittable - and encourages testing as the first step to good health.
- HIV
- PrEP
- Prepster
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PrEP Awareness Week 2024
· 1 min read
PrEP is a free NHS pill that prevents HIV and is safe to take alongside hormonal contraception and HRT - MESMAC can help you find out more and access it.
- PrEP
- HIV
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PrEP 4 Women Video
· 1 min read
A new video, co-produced with local women, explores the benefits of PrEP and how to access it free on the NHS - MESMAC offers PrEP referrals in Bradford, Hull, Leeds and Rotherham.
- PrEP
- HIV