Hundreds attended an event to celebrate and support Dorset's LGBTQ+ young people.

Chesil Youth Pride was a celebration of diversity and a show of support for Weymouth and Portland’s LGBTQ+ young people. 

The fun-filled event was held at Weymouth College.

Cllr Clare Sutton, Dorset Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, said: “Chesil Youth Pride was a safe space where our young people could be seen and be themselves, and they received a warm reception along Weymouth’s seafront on a lovely sunny afternoon.

“Thank you to everyone involved in planning the event, especially our partners, schools and the young people who took part on the day. What a wonderful way to celebrate Dorset’s LGBTQ+ young people.”

The theme this year, chosen by young people in the local LGBTQ+ community, was ‘Intersectionality,’ with the tagline ‘See Me.’

It was hosted by Dorset Council and Weymouth College and in partnership with Space Youth Project, The Drop-In Portland, Dorset Music Hub, and Dorset Police.

Chesil Youth Pride, now in its second year, responds to the feedback Dorset Council received from LGBTQ+ young people in the Chesil locality, and the need to provide a safe space to celebrate their identity and who they are.

Chesil Youth Pride kicked off with a mix of stalls, music, fun Pride-based activities, food, face paint and creative activities for young people and children to get involved in.

Around 250 young people, their allies, friends, families, and members of the local community attended the event, before taking part in a parade along Weymouth’s Esplanade.

Attendees also heard from key speaker and experienced Diversity and Inclusion Consultant, Helen Gould, who led a talk on 'being seen and how to advocate for yourself'.

Teams from Dorset Council’s Children’s Services, and youth workers from partner organisations, attended the event to offer advice and support to LGBTQI+ young people and to signpost them to available services.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service lent their support on the day, taking part in the parade and helping to safely manage the flow of traffic.

The theme 'intersectionality' is the theory that race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and other social factors overlap creating multiple layers of oppression. All these factors need to be addressed and identified so one form of inequality does not prevent another from being dismissed.