Queer Books Archive
Desire Paths: Reading Queer Edinburgh is an exhibition which explores our city’s histories through a queer lens. Drawing on books from our collection and Edinburgh’s rich LGBT+ history, this exhibition maps Edinburgh through queer literature and places. The exhibition encourages visitors to reexamine the Edinburgh spaces they encounter in their everyday lives and to add their own experiences to Lavender Menace’s archive.
Lavender Menace is a community archive with roots in Scotland’s first LGBT+ bookshop. We have a mission to bring together the queer community in Edinburgh and beyond, celebrate LGBT+ authors and their works, and collect and preserve LGBT+ books.
This project is co-curated by a team of volunteers from Lavender Menace and funded by Edinburgh 900.
The Desire Paths exhibition will be in Gallery 2, on the third floor of Edinburgh Palette at St Margaret’s House. You can find directions to Edinburgh Palette on our location and access page.
Gallery 2 is on the third floor of the building, which can be accessed via the staircase or the lifts.
We will have programme of Desire Paths events running alongside the exhibition. Book your free tickets below!
Desire Paths: Opening Night – Join us for the opening night of the exhibition! There will be drinks and nibbles, and the chance to hear more about the stories featured in the exhibition. Tuesday 18th February, 6pm-8pm
Lyra Celtica: Harry Josephine Giles on Wilfion – An evening celebrating the work and legacy of genderweird Celtic Revival writer Fiona Macleod / William Sharp with Harry Josephine Giles and special guests. Wednesday 19th February, 6pm-7pm
Eve by Jo Clifford – A special reading from Eve by Jo Clifford followed by a Q&A with the writer and performer. Eve tells tells a story that is both gentle and passionate, intimate and political, about the journey towards our real selves. Thursday 20th February, 6.30-8pm