Torquay group offers safe space for same sex attracted women

A NEW support group has launched in Torquay for queer women who may be feeling same sex attraction later in life.

Targeted towards women aged 30 and above, the peer-led group aims to provide a safe and supportive meeting space where attendees can connect and share experiences.

For group facilitator Nicole Neal, the group’s formation is personal, stemming from her own journey and struggle to find support locally as she came to terms with her own sexuality.

“I went through a period, probably about two years ago, where I started to realise that I was same sex attracted and, as a result of that, I started to search for all sorts of supports to help me work through all of that.”

Finding nothing locally, Neal joined support programs located further afield, with one even based in New York, requiring her to attend sessions at 3am.

She hopes the group can provide women with “someone to talk to”, support she didn’t have when she when she first began navigating this new terrain.

“It’s a daily journey,” Neal said.

“Life just keeps rolling. You’ve just got to figure out what the next step looks like, so maybe we can figure that out as a group, and just be there to support one another.

“I really would have loved to have had that local support network whilst I was going through some of the harder things that I’ve gone through.”

Neal said the group is still in its infancy and will shift with the needs and interests of its members.

While initially formed with “late bloomers” like herself in mind, Neal wants to ensure no one feels excluded and encouraged people at all stages of their journey and anyone who thinks the group might suit them, to come along.

“My ultimate aim is just to have a group of women who can lean on each other and create the bonds and connections,” she said.

“I just want to provide a space, to let other women know there is a space in Torquay for you.

“Even if they just want to come and have a chat. It doesn’t have to be something they come to every week.

“It doesn’t even have to be something they come to for the full two hours that it’s on. They can come and have a cup of tea and then leave.”

The group meet fortnightly on Monday evenings between 7.30pm and 9.30pm at the Torquay Community House at 14 Price Street, Torquay.

The next meeting will take place on May 13.

For enquiries, contact Nicole Neal for a confidential conversation via email at [email protected] or Instagram @surfcoastlilies