Voices is the Dorset Echo's weekly youth page - written for young people by young people

I AM sure that by now everyone is aware that there is a big pride event coming to Weymouth and Portland very soon and in my opinion I think this is a great step forward for a town that is quite out the way.

I believe that this will be a key event to show that there is a wider world out there and that Weymouth is not a forgotten town.

I think for people to show who they really are through this pride event would be a great way for the town to build stronger relationships while also bringing this town some summer joy.

It would also be a great way of showing tourists that we are a diverse town.

I also think that hosting this event will also let some older generations let their hair down because we all know 50 years ago it was forbidden to be LGBT+.

So I am hoping this would let them see how it is now and hopefully they would express themselves.

This is a fundamental right to everyone to love who they like. There’s no moral injustice in it.

Love is the most powerful force in the world and even if you are really cold and bitter you can still love someone.

What I say is that being normal is boring and besides there is no such thing as normal.

Be different and be proud of who you are and do not ever change yourself.

Even if you fight who you are it will come back at you so the best thing to do is just chill and let your real colours show.

I do think as well that this will be a great opportunity for younger generations to come along because they can see all kinds of wonderful people from different walks of life and see that it is okay to be different and not everybody is the same.

Weymouth and Portland Pride festival will be held between July 26 and 28.

By Chaz Smith