LGBTQIA+ Resources

We want Dorchester to be an inclusive, safe, and happy town for everyone.

Here you’ll find lots of LGBTQIA+ resources including events!

Dorchester is a safe space!

Look out around town for our ‘Safe Space’ posters!

This initiative is thanks to Dorchester Town Council, Shire Hall Museum, Space Youth Project, Discover Dorchester, and Dorset Council.

If you are a business/community space and would like to be a part of Dorchester ‘Safe Space’ project please get in touch with Connie Hollings at Dorchester Town Council at conniehollings@dorchester-tc.gov.uk. Whether you are a public facing business or would just like one for your office we encourage you to get involved!

Unisex/gender neutral/single cubicle toilets in Dorchester:

One of the nations favourite coffee shops

EAT & DRINK

Costa Coffee

Shire Hall Museum brings over 200 years of justice and injustice to life.

SEE & DO

Shire Hall Museum

Tom Browns pub boasts over 20 gins, up to four local and national ales including Dorset Brewing Company and Copper Street Brewery. Up to 5 draught and still ciders plus Craft beer, refreshing soft drinks and an extensive wine list.

EAT & DRINK

Tom Browns

Vinyl Van sells a wide range of new and used records, covering a variety of genres from reggae, hip hop, soul, funk, electronic, jazz, blues, ska, rock and pop.

SHOPPING

Vinyl Van

Great coffee in lovely surroundings with friendly and helpful staff Plus, some tasty meals from our extensive menu - We've got you covered!

EAT & DRINK

coffee#1

Dorchester Youth Pride!

every year, Dorset Youth Pride is at Shire Hall Museum in June!

Pride is a celebration for everyone of all ages. Dorset Youth Pride is an inclusive event welcoming all members of the LGBT+ community, families, young people and allies.

Shire Hall Museum will be open for FREE at Pride. Visitors to Dorset Youth Pride will have the opportunity to take part in a range of inclusive activities whilst exploring one of Dorchester’s most historic buildings.

Shire Hall is also a year round safe space – not just for pride month!

LGBTQIA+ events in Dorchester

LGBTQIA+ Resources

Shire Hall Museum Resource Page

Shire Hall Museum have created a resource page full of helpful links from Dorset Youth Pride 2023 – including a history of LGBTQ+ justice and Vinyl Van’s Pride Pick ‘n’ Mix playlist! Find the page on their website here: www.shirehalldorset.org/dorset-youth-pride.

Space Youth Project

Space run a regular youth group in Dorchester for anyone who is LGBTQIA+ and under 25. The FREE drop in session runs every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, 6.30pm-8.30pm a Sunninghill Hall, South Walks Road, DT1 1EB. Space also offer one to one, family, and education resources. For more information, please head to their website www.spaceyouthproject.co.uk.

Weymouth Gay Group

Weymouth Gay Group is an 18+ support group in Weymouth who meet regularly for friendship, chat, food, drinks & a laugh! Running for over 15 years, they have weekly pub/restaurant meets up for a chat and a meal. For more information, please head to their website www.weymouthgaygroup.weebly.com.

The Intercom Trust

Intercom Trust is a lesbian gay bisexual and trans community resource in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, providing help against homophobic and transphobic prejudice, crime and discrimination, helping to develop the LGBT communities, providing professional training and consultancy, and working in partnership with local government, the police, health, etc. Find out more and contact them at www.intercomtrust.org.uk or 01392 201015. The Intercom trust run the LGBT helpline 0800 612 3010.

Proud2Be

Proud2Be is a grassroots user-led social enterprise that supports LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and/or questioning+) people in Devon and beyond, to lead empowered, fulfilled and authentic lives. They host regular in-person and online support groups. For more information, please head to their website www.proud2be.org.uk.

Over the Rainbow

Over the Rainbow is an NHS Initiative for the local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community in Bournemouth, Weymouth and Dorset. For more information, please head to their website www.rainbowdorset.co.uk.

MindOut

MindOut is a mental health service run by and for lesbians, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer people. MindOut works to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all LGBTQ communities and to make mental health a community concern. For more information, please head to their website www.mindout.org.uk.

FFLAG

FFLAG is a national charity dedicated to supporting parents and families and their LGBT+ members. For more information, please head to their website www.fflag.org.uk.
They run a helpline at 0300 688 0368.

Mindline Trans+

Mindline Trans+ are set up specifically to offer emotional support to trans, non-binary and genderfluid people and their families. For more information, please head to their website www.mindlinetrans.org.uk. They are open Mondays and Fridays 8pm-midnight on 0300 330 5468.

There's no place for hate in Dorchester - Dorset Police Hate Crime Team

If you are a victim of hate crime or a witness to it, don’t just stay silent.

Show that hate doesn’t belong here and report it.

Go online: www.dorset.police.uk/hatecrime or www.report-it.org.uk.

Call Dorset Police: 101

Non-Emergency:

Minicom/textphone 18001 101

SMS/Text 67101

Sign Live (via BSL interpreters)

Emergency:

If a crime is in progress, call 999

SMS/Text 999 (pre-registered)

Minicom/textphone 18000