Family theme announced for youth Pride event

Chesil Youth Pride will be held at Weymouth College on Saturday

A Pride event for young people from the LGBTQ+ community is set to have a "we are family" theme, organisers have said.

Chesil Youth Pride is returning for its third year in Weymouth on Saturday.

It will start at 12:00 BST at Weymouth College and feature live music, creative activities and a parade along the Esplanade.

Last year more than 200 young people attended with their families and friends.

James, 16, from Weymouth said: "Chesil Youth Pride is such an important event to me and others, because it makes people closer to each other. It brings a community of very similar people together.

"Every year is different but always awesome."

Dorset Council released a statement explaining that the event was created after the authority received feedback from young people saying they felt unsafe in their communities and "wanted a safe space to be themselves".

The event will see the launch of a safe space charter in libraries for young LGBTQ+ people.

Councillor Clare Sutton said: "Chesil Youth Pride is about ensuring all young people in Dorset feel a sense of belonging, safety and inclusion, and have fun at the same time.

"We are also incredibly proud to introduce the safe space charter at our local libraries. I'm hoping to see many young people come to Chesil Youth Pride and celebrate as one big family."