Find your community on and off campus

University life is about meeting and finding your people. For LGBTQ+ students, that also means finding places where you feel safe, seen and supported. Southampton has a large mix of spaces both on-campus and in the city centre, that aim to do exactly this!

LGBTQ+ life on campus

The University of Southampton offers several ways for LGBTQ+ students to connect and feel supported.

On campus, you'll find:

• An LGBTQ+ student-led society
• Regular socials, campaigns and awareness events
• Welfare focused spaces for talking about identity, mental health and uni life

These spaces are especially useful if you're:

• New to uni or the city
• Questioning or not fully out
• Looking for community without pressure

Safe spaces beyond uni

Sometimes it helps to step outside the 'uni bubble'. Southampton has a growing LGBTQ+ community in the city. 

Here are some LGBTQ+ friendly places to go in and around Southampton:

1. Nightlife

• The London Hotel: Located on Oxford street, it's the oldest openly gay pub in the area and hosts some of the best cabaret shows. If you're up for a casual drink and a laugh, this would be top of the list.
• The Edge and Box Bar: If you're looking for a place to dance the night away and meet new people, this would be the place. Known for its drag shows and themed parties, the Edge and Box is open every night of the week. So there's no need to worry about your part-time weekend job, maybe just your lecture in the morning.

2. Independent Venues

• The Art House Café: If you're feeling like a day trip out to the city centre, this is a great spot to grab a coffee and a bite to eat. This café is known for supporting local musicians and artists whilst being committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for all.
• Happy Bean Coffee Bar: In need of a new study space or a getaway with your bestie? This little coffee bar should do the trick. Not only are they LGBTQ+ owned, but they also host an LGBTQ+ coffee morning every Sunday. With the cosy aesthetics and friendly staff, it's definitely in the top 5 safe spots.
• Harbour Lights Picture House: This is a great spot if you're on the look out for activities or just enjoy escaping into the big screen for an hour or so. They regularly offer LGBTQ+ specific screenings and even have a bar that overlooks the harbour, making it a great spot for Insta pics!

Why safe spaces matter

Safe spaces mean not having to explain yourself all the time. 

They provide:

• Support during coming out
• A break from assumptions
• A sense of community

This can make a big difference to a student's wellbeing.

Whilst Southampton might not be the biggest LGBTQ+ city, there are many safe and friendly spaces that make students feel seen and supported.

If one space doesn't feel right, that's okay. It can take time to find your people but remember that you're not alone.