You’ve got a friend indeed: Meet up

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A thriving social group for gay men is reaching out the hand of friendship during LGBT+ History Month.

The Weymouth Gay Group has been meeting up for meals and drinks for 15 years. They currently meet twice a week – on Thursdays from 7.30pm at The Swan pub in St Thomas Street and on Mondays for a meal at varied eateries. It’s not a campaign group – it’s more to gather gay men together for support, companionship and a pint. Attendees range in age from 18 to 80, and everyone is made welcome.

The group was launched after founder member Colin moved back to Weymouth and found a dire lack of social events for gay men. At first the group would meet up at The Boot, having discovered a mutual liking for real ale.

Numbers fluctuate between about 15 in winter and 30-40 in summer, when holidaymakers swell the ranks. The group has 2,400 Twitter followers and takes an active part in the various Pride events in the county. These days there are a lot more older members, thanks to a growing acceptance of differing sexuality and genders in the older generations.

It has been a tough road for some.

Colin said: “When they were younger there was

Section 28. The struggles older people have been through…”

Even among younger people there have been battles. Adam is 27 and had to give up a place on a football team on Portland because of outdated attitudes to his sexuality.