ORGANISERS of Portland’s first ever gay night are hoping the event will give a boost to local trade and raise money for charity.

The free event, called Rainbow Night, will take place at the Portland Roads Hotel, Castletown on Saturday.

Planners say the response so far has been positive and they hope that local people will accept the event.

Portland Roads Hotel manager Pam Whitmarsh said: “Things are relatively quiet for trade around here at the moment because we’re out of season.

“We are hoping that this event will be viewed as a positive thing for Portland because it will bring business and new trade to the area.

“This is a family run pub.

“It is not a gay pub and this is just a chance for everybody to come to a place where they can be accepted.

“It doesn’t matter who you are – this is a chance to be who you are.”

Entertainer Shaun Fowler, 25, originally from Portland, was contacted by the hotel’s owners to help organise the event. He said: “It’s a night where people can dress as they like, come as they like and just be who they want to be without feeling like they won’t be accepted.

“I would like to think that society is much more accepting nowadays and that this event will receive a positive reception.

“Hopefully Rainbow Night will be a success and we can host more events like it and continue to raise money for charities and good causes.”

Funds raised will go to Body Positive Dorset, a support centre for local people affected by HIV or Aids.

The event will be run in conjunction with the 25th World Aids Day, which takes place on December 1.

There will be a raffle on Rainbow Night with proceeds going to the charity.

Body Positive events co-ordinator Jonathan Owen said: “HIV is still prevalent in the UK.

“Unfortunately it seems to have fallen out of the media a little and we need to continue to make sure that people are still aware of it.

“We are trying to bring attention back and this year marks the 25th annual World Aids Day.

“There’s still a lot of work to do on stigma and prevention and we are happy and grateful that the Rainbow Night event is supporting us.”

The hotel will run special room deals on the night.

For more details go to info@portlandroadhotel or call 01305 826523.