Dorset

The Intercom Trust, a regional lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) community charity, is working with Dorset Police to look at improving trust and confidence levels so people will be more willing to report homophobic and transphobic crime.

To kickstart this process, they are holding a drop in coffee evening on Monday 6th September at the Bridport Arts Centre Café between 6:30pm – 8:30pm. This will be an opportunity for local LGBT people to come along, share their experiences, give feedback on how services can be improved and enjoy some nice coffee and cake! The event is open to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people who live or work in Dorset and will be very informal and interactive.

Read more: Dorset Police Seeking LGBT Community Feedback

Don't miss out on Bournemouth's best GAY NIGHT to close the summer off with a bang, this Sunday at the o2 Academy (formerly the Opera House).

Circus is the South Coasts Biggest & Longest Running Gay Night.

DJ's include KEVIN BROOKS, ADRIAN DUNBAR, CHRIS B. There will be drinks promotions, Chris Geary Go-Go Dancers and plenty more.

FREE - PARTY BUS FROM THE TRIANGLE AREA HOSTED BY FANNY FLAPS!

29 August from 10 PM to 4 AM

Read more: Getting Ready for Circus in Bournemouth

The Pony Club, a social networking group for lesbian, gay and bi-sexual women, is celebrating its first birthday with a Medieval Masked Ball.

The group was set up by friends in Bournemouth who lamented the lack of exciting events for women in the area. It has proved popular since and membership goes from strength to strength. To celebrate the role the club has played in helping people find friendship, love and develop new hobbies or skills, The Pony Club is turning back the clock to the Medieval ages with a masked ball.

The group has hired a Medieval Barn at the Courtyard Centre in Lytchett Minster, Poole, on July 24 from 7pm to midnight. A court jester straight from the palace will entertain guests with songs of old and there will be ample meat and vegetarian options fresh from the BBQ. Later in the evening The Julie Andrews band will perform live followed by a disco.

Read more: Pony Club's First Birthday Ball

80’s icon Boy George returns to the live stage at Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts on April 16th, performing hits from Culture Club, solo career and some great covers. 

As the front man of Culture Club, one of the UK’s biggest ever bands, Boy George needs little introduction. Culture Club were the first band since The Beatles to achieve three top 10 hits from their debut album ‘Kissing to Be Clever ‘on the US Billboard charts. He has sold millions of albums worldwide, secured top 10 hits in every country and remains one of the world’s most recognisable pop and fashion icons. 

With a new album and new single, 'Amazing Grace', released on March 22nd, Boy George will also be performing all the hits from Culture Club, his solo career and some great covers. Never far from his Culture Club roots, George will perform songs from his new album delivered in George’s unique Culture Clubesque style.  

Read more: Boy George at Lighthouse in Poole

If you live in the South West or are just about for the weekend and fancy Chilling out this Sunday then you are in luck because you can chose between Cornwall or Dorset! 

Both Dorset & Cornwall Chillout Cafes are taking place on Sunday (April 18th) - offering Sun (hopefully), coffee (definitely), good conversation (probably), new friends (positively) and cake (unquestionably)! What more could you possibly want from a lovely Sunday afternoon in April! 

Both Chillout Cafes are a friendly, relaxed and safe spaces for LGBT people, with a great mix of women and men of all ages. Don’t be shy to go along on your own - you might not know anyone when you get there but you will by the time you leave! Try it - you might like it!

Read more: Fancy chilling out this Sunday?

The biggest gay night on the South coast is back for 2010.

Circus at the o2 Academy (formerly The Opera House) is a massive gay night with DJs Paul King, Chris B, Adrian Dunbar and Kevin Brooks all pumping out the tunes.

Things kick off at 10pm and kicking out is at 4am. There is a free shuttle bus from outside 2930 The Triangle from 10.30 until 12.30. Drinks offers include VK at £1.80 and Tequila for £2.00

You can buy tickets online here (£7 in advance + BF) or from Frolic Records and White Tiger.

Poole Council have outlined their plans for LGBT History Month, which runs for the whole of February.

They include a book display in Poole Central Library and supporting the creation of a Poole-based Space Youth Project group. Find out more: www.spaceyouthproject.co.uk

South West Green Party LGBT spokesperson Ryan Cleminson said, in response to this news: "I would like to extend my thanks and congratulations to the Council for this initiative. Officers are clearly taking LGBT equality issues seriously, which is great news for us. Their support for LGBT History Month has been noted and I commend them".

Read more: Poole Council Outline LGBT Plans

Join in with the SEX QUIZ at the Branksome on Valentines Day in association with local health charity Over The Rainbow.

The evenings event is called 'Battle of the Bumboyz with the L Word collective'. It's going to be a very funny but educational sex quiz with a difference. 

Prizes also for the winners and cabaret from ' A Boy called James' Grace Lighting is the quiz mistress. In case your wondering, Bumboy is the new campaign on safer sex for 2010 from THT, the theme for the quiz. Learn something new and have a laugh in the process is the main focus for this event. 

During the day at the Branksome Over The Rainbow will also be doing Free Chlamydia testing, just 'Pee in a Pot' & get your results via text within 7 days. 

The Dorset Gay and Lesbian Helpline is holding their 18th annual Quiz Night.

It takes place on Monday 25th January 2010 and doors open at 7pm.

So get down to the Hallmark Hotel (previously Durley Hall) on Durley Chine in Bournemouth and be in with a chance of winning the much coveted Tim Law Cup.

* FREE ENTRANCE

* QUIZ £2.00 PER PERSON

* TEAMS OF UP TO SIX PEOPLE

All proceeds go to the Dorset Lesbian and Gay Helpline. Find out more about the charity here www.dorsetgayhelpline.org

Bournemouth University is carrying out a large research project on older gay and lesbian citizens and their experiences of life in the British countryside, particularly in the South West. Sometimes the lives of older gay or lesbian people who are isolated because of geography go unnoticed or ignored. The purpose of this study is to rectify that situation.

On 26 November, from 9:30 am until 12 noon, they will be having a coffee morning in Bournemouth to listen to stories of gay life in the countryside.  This informal gathering is open to anyone, gay or lesbian, 55 years or older who has lived at some point in their life in a rural setting. Even if they were born there or recently retired there would do as well. Current geographic area is not important.  

Anyone whom you can think of (or yourself, of course!) who might have interesting stories to tell is welcome. It will be very informal and a chance to meet some new people and share stories.  

Read more: Bournemouth Uni To Survey Older LGBT Community