ryan

I decided to return home a couple of weeks ago where I; grew up, learnt what it was to be gay and came out to my family. It was the first time in 9 years that I finally felt comfortable, confident and happy with going back to the place where I learnt to be a teeenager, lover and alround gayer.

Bournemouth on the face of it appears to never change, but bars are rennovated, relaunched, changing names all the time. The youth group - Space Youth Project - has really began to find its feet and develop new ways of supporting new young gay people.

While the scene itself has lost a bar and club due to the economy the Exchange still exists, however on this Friday night visit - rammed when I worked there in 2001 - had about 30 people all evening. The bar we visited prior to our trek across the road, Branksome Arms, too was half empty.

It seems the gays are abandoning gay life in the area - or maybe they've abandoned the area altogether.

There wasn't enough time to find out - but it is a sweet destination to visit for a weekend. The best part comes in daylight when you can see the coastline, visit the cliffs and walk through the countryside.