OPINION: 29,000 Students and You: Navigating Gay Student Life at Portsmouth University
Choosing where to spend your hours studying and socialising can be a daunting task. Luckily for us queers there’s plenty of spaces around the Portsmouth area- from cafe to club. All of these spots can be found through social media e.g. Instagram.
An open friendly space is the Terrace Cafe. Hereyou’ll find large group tables (perfect for meetings), great natural lighting, free Wi-Fi and welcoming staff. This cafe is run by the University of Portsmouth, so you can expect great prices, such as an iced coffee for £2.50. Remember to use your student ID to collect reward points for all those future study sessions.
But what about entertainment? The Student Union close by has game tables, like ping-pong and foosball, and hosts several events over the year. I recently went to this year’s Winter Ball; where as a gay couple my boyfriend and I had a wonderful dance that night.
LGBTQ+ history isn’t cut short when you visit the National Museum of the Royal Navy. A running film Uncharted Waters in the museum explores the experiences of gay sailors pre and post the ban on homosexuality in the armed forces. If you also visit the Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery, the interactive Downtown Pompey exhibition tells the story of the LGBTQ+ pubs and clubs scene in the 1980s.
If you’re more in the mood for a 2025 night out, to experience what artistically the gay community of Portsmouth has to offer, then drag Friday’s at Hampshire Boulevard nightclub could be what you’re looking for. With free entry until 10PM and discounts for students on several drink options, it’s sure to make affordability thrilling. A personal favourite as a student is the drag lunches at the House of Martha, for (£2 entry) drag quizzes and mini-games every Thursday.