Affinity group

Affinity groups can be based on a common social identity or ideology (e.g., anarchism, conservatism), a shared concern for a given issue (e.g., anti-nuclear, anti-abortion), a common activity, role, interest or skill (e.g., legal support, medical aid, software engineering), or shared personal identity (e.g. race/ethnicity, gender, disability, cultural interests).

Affinity groups in the workplace or as part of a professional association are composed of people who share similar backgrounds or interests.

In the workplace, they are also referred to as Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that form a part of the organization diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

[4] Politically oriented affinity groups in the United States gained public attention during the anti-Vietnam War movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

The 30,000 person occupation and blockade of the Ruhr nuclear power station in Germany in 1969 was organized on the Affinity group model.