Celebrating Pride Month in Dorchester 

What’s on During Pride Month in Dorchester

This June, Dorchester is proudly celebrating Pride Month, marking the occasion with a full programme of events, performances, talks and creative workshops under the Pop-Up Pride Dorchester banner. With film screenings, poetry nights, countryside walks and cabaret all on the agenda, there is plenty to enjoy in Dorchester this Pride Month.If you are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, want to get involved (everyone’s welcome!), this is a welcoming and inclusive series of events that reflects the town’s commitment to diversity and community. Here is your guide to what is on in Dorchester this Pride Month.

Pride Events in Dorchester

Here’s a quick roundup of the events during Dorchester Pride Month. Keep reading for more details.

• 3rd June | Plaza Cinema Pride Screenings
• 3rd June | In Conversation with Matt Cain MBE
• 6th June | ‘Bohemia in East Chaldon’ by Mark Damon Chutter
• 7th June | Proud Poems (Workshop)
• 10th June | Writing and Poetry Workshop: Exploring the Writing of Sylvia Townsend Warner & Valentine Ackland
• 10th June | Dorset County Hospital Mini Pride
• 10th June | Pint & Paint with Pride
• 11th June | Dorset County Hospital Pride Film Nights
• 11th June | Proud Poems (Showcase)
• 12th June | Cut & Paste for Pride
• 13th June | Sashay & Sing with Ms Cassidy
• 18th June | The Joy of Decks – Pride Special!
• 21st June | Pride Walk: Be Queer – Get Outside!
• 23rd June | Open Mic Night Celebrating Our Local LGBTQIA+ Community
• 27th June | The Pride We Write: Crafting LGBTQIA+ Narratives

Plaza Cinema Pride Screenings

Plaza Cinema | 3rd & 10th June | 5:00pm – 7:30pm

The Plaza Cinema is hosting two special evening screenings to kick off Pride Month. On Wednesday 3rd June, the screen is showing The Birdcage. A classic comedy about a gay cabaret owner and his partner navigating an awkward meeting with their son’s prospective in-laws.

On Wednesday 10th June, the cinema screens Pride. A film based on the true story of LGBTQ+ activists who raised funds in solidarity with mining communities during the 1984 strike.

Both screenings are open to ages 15 and over, with tickets priced at £5.75.

In Conversation with Matt Cain MBE

Online (Dorset Library Service) | Wednesday 3rd June | 7:00pm – 8:00pm

Dorset Library Service is hosting a free online in-conversation event with author and LGBTQ+ advocate Matt Cain MBE. Matt will be discussing the stories behind his best-selling novels and the importance of representation in literature.

His titles include The Madonna of Bolton, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle and Becoming Ted, with his latest book The Castle of Stories due for release in early June. Booking is available via Eventbrite.

‘Bohemia in East Chaldon’ by Mark Damon Chutter

Shire Hall Museum | Saturday 6th June | 11:00am – 12:00pm

This illustrated talk, led by Mark Damon Chutter, Chairman and Academic Director of the Thomas Hardy Society, explores a fascinating chapter of Dorset’s cultural history.

In the 1920s and 1930s, the village of Chaldon Herring became home to a remarkable group of writers and artists. Mark will examine the significance of this creative community, with a particular focus on themes of gender and sexual identity within their work. Tickets are priced at £10 and are available to book via Zeffy.

Proud Poems (Workshop)

Loving By Nature | Sunday 7th June | 10:00am – 12:00pm

Local queer poet Naomi Wilcox-Lee leads this two-hour creative writing workshop, designed as a safe and supportive space to explore experiences of queerness through poetry.

Open to participants aged 14 and over, the session encourages personal reflection and creative expression in a welcoming environment. Those who take part are invited to then share their work at the Proud Poems Showcase on 11th June. Places are limited and booking is via Eventbrite.

Proud Poems (Showcase)

Vinyl Van | Thursday 11th June | 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Now in its third year, the Proud Poems Showcase returns to the Vinyl Van for an evening of LGBTQ+ poetry and performance. Poets can sign up on the night to perform a slot, and the event is open to all ages.

Come along to share something new or simply to listen and enjoy a relaxed, celebratory evening for the community. No booking required.

Writing and Poetry Workshop: Exploring the Writing of Sylvia Townsend Warner & Valentine Ackland

Dorset Museum & Art Gallery | Wednesday 10th June | 10:30am – 12:30pm

This workshop offers participants the chance to explore the poetry of Sylvia Townsend Warner and Valentine Ackland. Two writers with strong connections to Dorset and a significant place in LGBTQ+ literary history.

Attendees will read and discuss a selection of their work before using the discussions as a springboard for their own writing. Open to those aged 16 and over and booking is available via the Jawbone Collective website.

Dorset County Hospital Mini Pride

Dorset County Hospital, Damers Restaurant | Wednesday 10th June | 12:00pm – 2:00pm

Dorset County Hospital is welcoming all for a lunchtime Mini Pride event. The afternoon provides a chance to learn about LGBTQIA+ experiences and connect with local community groups, including Space Youth Project and This is Me Dorset. No booking required, just turn up!

Dorset County Hospital Pride Film Nights

Dorset County Hospital, Education Centre Lecture Theatre | Thursday 11th June & Tuesday 23rd June | 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Dorset County Hospital is also hosting two LGBTQIA+ themed film evenings where everyone is welcome! Attendees can even vote for the film by emailing their suggestions to pride.network@dchft.nhs.uk. Tickets are priced at £2.50, including a drink, which you can purchase at the door.

Pint & Paint with Pride

Tom Browns | Wednesday 10th June & Wednesday 24th June | 6:00pm – 8:00pm

A relaxed, drop-in creative evening for those aged 18 and over. Grab a drink, pick up a paintbrush, and join the creativity. Choose from a structured drawing, a colour-by-numbers, or something entirely your own. The best original design on the night will be printed onto a t-shirt. No experience or booking is required, just show up and get creative.

Cut & Paste for Pride

Tom Browns | Friday 12th June | 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Collage artist Jodie House invites participants to come along for an inclusive and creative evening exploring themes of identity, love and unity through the art of collage.

With materials provided and no experience needed, this is an accessible and enjoyable session for anyone who wants to get creative and connect with others. Places are limited to 20, so to book your spot, contact Jodie directly on 07342 314195. Tickets are £10 per person.

Sashay & Sing with Ms Cassidy

The Sydney Arms | Saturday 13th June | 9:00pm – Midnight

For a livelier evening out, Ms Cassidy takes to the stage at The Sydney Arms for a night of entertainment, interactive games, sing-alongs, and dancing. It is a warm and welcoming space where everyone is encouraged to be themselves and have a good time. No need to book and entry is free!

The Joy of Decks – Pride Special!

Vinyl Van | Thursday 18th June | 7:30pm – 11:00pm

The Joy of Decks Open Decks night gets a Pride makeover, with the evening dedicated to queer artists and music made to fill a dance floor. Anyone is welcome to bring along three tracks and take a turn at the decks for up to ten minutes. All ages are welcome, with under-15s able to attend up to 10pm. No need to book, just turn up!

Pride Walk: Be Queer – Get Outside!

Meeting outside County Hall | Sunday 21st June | 11:00am – 1:00pm

Hosted by Trans Solidarity Dorset, this guided group walk takes in approximately 6km of Dorchester’s surrounding countryside. The route includes gentle hills and stiles, with a relaxed and inclusive pace and regular stops, including one for a picnic. The walk is free to join and open to all.

Open Mic Night Celebrating Our Local LGBTQIA+ Community

The Poet Laureate | Tuesday 23rd June | 7:30pm – 11:00pm

A warm and inclusive evening of poetry and spoken word at The Poet Laureate. Featuring local LGBTQIA+ community member Jenny Corfield, the event also opens the mic to other poets and performers who wish to share their work. Come as a listener or a reader; everyone is welcome.

The Pride We Write: Crafting LGBTQIA+ Narratives

Dorchester Library and Learning Centre | Saturday 27th June | 10:30am – 12:00pm

Victoria L Humphreys, author of The Other Way, leads this engaging session on queer representation in fiction.

The talk explores how LGBTQIA+ stories are shaped, challenged and celebrated in contemporary writing, drawing on themes of hidden histories and marginalised identities. The session includes a Q&A, with time for audience questions. Suitable for adults of all ages, and booking is available via Eventbrite.

Visit Dorchester This Summer

June is shaping up to be a busy month in Dorchester. Alongside the full Pop-Up Pride programme, the town has a wider calendar of events, activities, and things to discover throughout the summer. Plan your visit and explore what is on at discoverdorchester.co.uk.

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