Garlands
A camp, free-entry drag pub near Blackpool North where resident queens are on from mid-afternoon every single day.
Questioning your sexuality or gender
Gentle first steps, confidential helplines, youth groups and low-pressure places to start.
Questioning means you are working out your sexuality, your gender, or both. It is the second Q in some versions of LGBTQ+. There is no test, no deadline and no wrong answer. Plenty of people question for years; some settle on a label, some never do, and some change their mind.
Common feelings
- noticing attraction you didn't expect, or less attraction than everyone around you seems to feel;
- feeling that the gender you were raised as doesn't quite fit;
- feeling "not gay enough" or "not trans enough" to belong. You do belong.
If it's mainly curiosity about attraction you haven't acted on, see curious.
Low-pressure places to start in Blackpool
You don't need to walk into a club at midnight. Easier first steps:
- An afternoon drag show. Garlands has resident queens on from mid-afternoon, free entry and a mixed crowd. Nobody will ask why you're there.
- Blackpool Allies, a relaxed social at the Horizon centre on Dickson Road on the first and third Tuesday of the month, where you don't need to identify as anything.
- A daytime walk through the quarter to see the rainbow crossings on Dickson Road. See Rainbow Quarter walks and tips.
Funny Girls
Blackpool's best-known drag cabaret, staging big themed revues in a restored 1939 art deco cinema two minutes from Blackpool North.
Blackpool Allies
A free, relaxed social evening twice a month for LGBT+ people and anyone who supports them, at the Horizon centre on Dickson Road.
Horizon LGBTQ+ at Renaissance
The Rainbow Quarter's LGBTQ+ health centre, offering sexual health clinics, rapid testing, HIV support, counselling and harm reduction on Dickson Road.
Confidential support
You can talk it through anonymously, from home, before telling anyone.
Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline
A free national listening and information line, by phone, chat and email, staffed by LGBTQIA+ volunteers.
LGBT Foundation helpline
A national LGBTQ+ charity based in nearby Manchester, whose helpline offers listening support and signposting across the UK.
Lancashire LGBT
The county's LGBTQ+ charity, offering counselling, one-to-one support, gender outreach and social activities, including services in Blackpool.
Young people
If you are under 25, the Fylde coast has free youth groups and counselling that understand questioning:
UR Potential LGBT youth groups
A Blackpool youth organisation running LGBT youth groups for 13 to 25-year-olds across the Fylde coast, plus family support.
Youtherapy
Free NHS counselling for 11 to 25-year-olds in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre, including support around sexuality, with a weekly drop-in.
United Youth Alliance
A Fylde coast youth organisation that runs Youth Pride in Blackpool and leads the Be You Youth Provider Quality Mark.
Mermaids
A national charity supporting trans, non-binary and gender-diverse young people and their families by phone and web chat.
UR Potential also runs the Wyre LGBT Youth Group in Fleetwood on Wednesdays, with separate sessions for 11 to 17-year-olds and over-18s.
Questioning your gender?
The NHS gender outreach team runs a free lunchtime drop-in at Blackpool Central Library on Queen Street for anyone thinking about, waiting for or receiving gender care. You don't need a diagnosis, a referral or a plan. There is also a free advice line on 0800 183 1486, Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm.
Gender Outreach drop-in, Blackpool
A free monthly lunchtime drop-in at Blackpool Central Library for people on, waiting for or considering the gender identity clinic pathway.
Older and questioning
It's never too late. Many people work out who they are in their 40s, 60s or later. Lytham Let Live's daytime meet-ups and the Electric Pink Voices choir have members who came out later in life. See older LGBTQ+ people.
More
- Coming out support
- Your first time in LGBTQ+ Blackpool
- Queer, for people who prefer not to pick a narrower label
Sources
Sexual and romantic orientation: more pages
LesbianMixed bars, women-friendly stays, the nearest lesbian socials, and the history of Lucy's and Kings.GayThe bars, men-only hotels and saunas, bears, health clinics, peer support and fifty years of history.BisexualWelcoming venues, BiPhoria and other groups, health services and bi history at Blackpool Pride.PansexualWhat pansexual means, how it differs from bi, and welcoming places and groups.AsexualWhat asexual means, the ace spectrum, Pluto MCR, sociable things to do away from the bars, and support.AromanticWhat aromantic means, the aro spectrum, the nearest group, friendship-first socials and awareness week.QueerWhat queer means today, plus queer art, heritage, alternative drag and community in Blackpool.CuriousWhat curious means, welcoming venues, men-only places, safer sex, consent and support.Every identityThe full list, the long acronyms and UK law.