THEGAYUK

Tag: Portsmouth News

Get the latest LGBT+ Portsmouth news from THEGAYUK. Breaking news, features and interviews from the gay community in Portsmouth, England, UK

  • HOTEL REVIEW | Holiday Inn Express Portsmouth Gunwharf Quays

    HOTEL REVIEW | Holiday Inn Express Portsmouth Gunwharf Quays

    A friendly welcome and smile awaits you at Portsmouth’s Holiday Inn Express Gunwharf Quays.

    Hotel Exterior

    Right in the heart of the newly redeveloped Gunwharf Quays, just in the shadow of the famous Spinnaker Tower, Holiday Inn Express Gunwharf Quays couldn’t be more in the thick of the action if it tried.

    The 130 room hotel offers the perfect base for exploring the harbour city of Portsmouth in the south of England. Using this hotel as your base you’ll be able to discover the rich maritime history of Portsmouth with the abundance of museums and exhibitions in the local area, including the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, just seven minutes walk from the hotel.

    The rooms look down on to the bustling pedestrian area of Gunwharf Quays, which is filled with restaurants and cafes. The hotel also managed to secure some brilliant discounts at some of the chain restaurants, including a personal favourite of Giraffe, where we were able to get a huge 30 per cent off our meal.

    Your receptionist will be able to help you out with the restaurants taking part.

    The hotel is a standard Holiday Inn Express, offering breakfast and WIFI in the price – and free parking for the first 24 hours – each subsequent day costing £2.00 – a great reduction in the normal parking costs for the Gunwharf Quay.

     

    Bedroom

     

    The hotel offers great sized, comfortable rooms, with two pillow options, hard and soft. It is slightly let down by its dispenser soaps and shower gels in the bathroom instead of individual soaps and shower gels, but it’s a minor gripe, when looking at over all value.

    The hotel is a short walk from Portsmouth’s only gay bar, the Hampshire Boulevard.

    It’s also the perfect place to stay if you’re planning to attend Portsmouth’s Pride, which is a stroll along the seafront to Southsea common.

    Portsmouth Pride takes place in June.

    Find out more about hotel on its website.

     

  • Thousands take part in Portsmouth’s pride parade

    Thousands take part in Portsmouth’s pride parade

    Thousands of people have taken part in Portsmouth’s second annual pride 2016.

    (C) TheGayUK

    Well over a thousand people stood in complete silence in Guidhall Square in the centre of Portsmouth to remember the victims of last week’s massacre in Pulse night club in Orlando, USA.

    The crowd erupted into applause in a show of solidarity for the 49 victims as the town’s bells rung out, before setting off to Parade through the centre of Portsmouth.

    This follows the vigil that was held in Portsmouth the night before, where the Rainbow Voices and local speakers lit candles in memory of the victims.

    Following the attacks, Portsmouth’s famous Spinnaker tower was lit in the rainbow colours.

     

    (C) TheGayUK

    This is the second annual Parade in Portsmouth with thousands speculating and taking part in Hampshire’s largest LGBT+ pride.

  • OP ED: Orlando reminds us that the battle for acceptance is far from over

    “I realised that this is a battle won by love, laughter, acceptance and knowledge.”

    Dear World, From Rob (a gay man)

    I never really write anything personal on the internet, I’ve always had the opinion that my personal life is mine, and people probably don’t want to know the boring details anyway, so I post things that I think might be entertaining, and I keep in touch with my friends. After all, I don’t want to come across all soppy now do I?.

    But in the wake of the last couple of days, I’ve been itching to write something, to do something with the feelings I’ve had. Something horrible happened across the world, yet it has affected myself and the LGBT+ community as if were on our doorstep.

    Now, I probably know a few of the people reading this personally, but if I didn’t know you, I’d usually introduce myself by my name, where I come from and how old I am. Simple little details. However, I was thinking today, I’ve never even thought about introducing myself as gay. Not because I’m embarrassed, I’m so, so proud to be gay. Not because I think the other person would be offended, because I honestly wouldn’t give a shit. But because, for me, it’s not even an issue that passes through my mind. I’m a gay man, yes, but my sexuality kind of starts and ends with who I love, it doesn’t affect anything else.

    I thought to myself shortly afterwards that the only reason I have this privilege is because there are generations before me who have fought hard to get us here. Was I being selfish by not realising how much privilege I have in this day and age?
    After facing terrible adversity, the LGBT+ community has got itself to this place, where love is slowly conquering hate, and we’re progressing every day.

    But recent events remind you that it’s not over. Whilst I am lucky to enjoy all of the amazing things that come with being gay in 2016 – holding hands in public, being confident that we can go out and get home safe as a couple – there are so many others who are unable to have this, and it can’t be fair for me to have this and not others.

    I felt hesitant to finish this post because I didn’t have an amazing call to action. I don’t know if I have the words or knowledge to spur on a whole community, or to change the minds of the 1% who hate us. But I realised that this is a battle won by love, laughter, acceptance and knowledge. We are having a vigil in Portsmouth outside the Guildhall, at 6pm on Friday, if anyone wants to join us.

    We’re going to get there, and know that I love you all, regardless of your gender, sexuality, race, class or whatever. It’s a cliché but it’s true, and I’m not afraid.

    -Rob
    ‪#‎loveislove‬ ‪#‎orlando‬

    Follow Rob Ulitski on Twitter

     

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  • Thousands Enjoy First Portsmouth Pride In 13 Years

    Thousands Enjoy First Portsmouth Pride In 13 Years

    Portsmouth celebrated its first Pride event in 13 years yesterday, with thousands turning out for its parade and park celebrations.

    (more…)