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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251002T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251002T203000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20250918T111100Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250918T111104Z
UID:15344-1759431600-1759437000@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Sapphic Spaces: In conversation with June Thomas
DESCRIPTION:Join Wuthering Dykes Book Club and Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive for an evening with the lesbian legend June Thomas\, author of A Place of Our Own. June will be in conversation with Sigrid Nielsen\, co-founder of both Scotland’s first LGBT+ bookshop and Lavender Menace\, and Sophie Haynes\, who runs Wuthering Dykes.  \n\n\n\nThe event is free. Just click here to book a ticket through Eventbrite: \n\n\n\n\nBook ticket\n\n\n\n\nAbout the speakers: \n\n\n\nJune Thomas is a journalist\, podcaster\, and the author of A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture. She spent 25 years as a writer\, editor\, and podcast host at Slate.com\, and her freelance work has appeared in Bloomberg Businessweek\, Marie Clarie\, the New York Times’ T magazine\, the Washington Post\, and the Advocate. She is now working on a biography of Rita Mae Brown. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto: Rachel Hein. [A photograph of June smiling outside a bookshop with stylish round glasses and a purple jumper] \n\n\n\nSigrid Nielsen is a graduate of St John’s College in Santa Fe\, New Mexico. In Edinburgh in 1979 she joined Bob Orr in Open Gaze\, the bookstall he ran at Edinburgh Gay Centre\, and worked in other bookselling and publishing groups. She and Bob opened Lavender Menace\, Scotland’s first Lesbian and Gay Community Bookshop\, as a partnership in 1982. Sigrid managed author readings\, mail order lists\, and bookshop events. She left as a partner in 1987 and later co-edited In Other Words: Writing as a Feminist (Hutchinson Education\, 1987) and published articles and short stories. In 2019\, she and Bob revived Lavender Menace as an LGBT+ books archive and heritage organisation. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto: Liam Baker. [A headshot of Sigrid smiling at the camera wearing glasses and a rainbow knitted jumper.] \n\n\n\nSophie Haynes runs Wuthering Dykes Bookclub and holds an MLitt in Gothic Literature. She’s passionate about building queer community and where to find the best whiskey soda in Leith. Catch her browsing bookshops\, marching at protests or making an appearance at the best lesbian events in the city. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto: Sophie Haynes. [A headshot of Sophie who is looking straight at the camera and wears a leather jacket.] \n\n\n\nVenue & Access \n\n\n\nThe event will be held at Epworth Hall\, Nicolson Square Venues\, 25 Nicolson Square\, EH8 9BX. This is a dry event and no alcohol is allowed on the premises.The venue has step-free access and an internal lift. There is parking next door at 27\, and an accessible gender neutral toilet on the ground floor: https://www.euansguide.com/venues/nicolson-square-edinburgh-edinburgh-14614/information \n\n\n\nTo see what the event room looks like visit: https://www.nsvenues.com/the-epworth-hallFor further information about the venue contact info@nsvenues.com and for questions about the event contact themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/sapphic-spaces
LOCATION:Epworth Hall\, 25 Nicolson Square\, Edinburgh\, EH8 9BX\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Sapphic-Spaces-event-banner.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251004T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251004T160000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20250919T111620Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250919T112013Z
UID:15356-1759586400-1759593600@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Asexuality in the Archive
DESCRIPTION:Book a ticket\n\n\n\n\nThis interactive workshop introduces how asexuality was treated as a medical issue in the Victorian Age and its impact on contemporary media representation. It will begin by examining how nineteenth-century doctors constructed a set of symptoms that supposedly diagnosed individuals as asexual. Together\, we’ll look at how this conceptualisation is mirrored – or challenged – in contemporary popular culture representations of asexuality. Participants are encouraged to bring in their own examples to discuss\, alongside those provided by the workshop leader. \n\n\n\nWhat to expect \n\n\n\nThe workshop will begin with a short introductory talk on the history of asexual medicalisation\, followed by work in small groups and general discussion. Participants are encouraged to offer their own examples of asexual representation: these should be introduced with a short description of the media and the character they want to discuss. \n\n\n\nAbout the Facilitator \n\n\n\nClaudia Sterbini is a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh. Her project explores theconstruction of pathological asexuality at the turn of the twentieth century. She is interested in queer history\, the medical humanities\, Victorian literature\, and generally all that is queer and ace. \n\n\n\nBookingBooking in advance is essential as places are limited so\, if you are unable to attend\, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your place to someone else. \n\n\n\nVenue & AccessibilityThe event is located at the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive in Edinburgh Palette. There is information on how to get to us on public transport and by car\, along with access information\, on our location & accessibility page. \n\n\n\nAny other questionsPlease email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/asexuality-in-the-archive
LOCATION:Midlothian
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251101T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251101T160000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20251023T092415Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T092427Z
UID:15460-1762009200-1762012800@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Gay Scotland Now Collage Workshop at Edinburgh Zine Fair
DESCRIPTION:Join Lavender Menace for a free and fun collage workshop remixing text and images from Gay Scotland. Gay Scotland was a staple of the Scottish queer scene when it was published in the 1980s-2000s. Explore LGBT events\, adverts\, articles\, and classifieds from the past and remix them to reflect what Scotland means to queer communities now. \n\n\n\nNo need to bring anything – we have materials and photocopies of vintage queer magazines. \n\n\n\nLavender 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. lavendermenace.org.uk \n\n\n\n\nBook a ticket\n\n\n\n\nThis event is free. \n\n\n\nVenue & AccessibilityThe event is located on Floor 3\, ScotART\, St Margaret’s House (that’s three floors above the Lavender Menace archive). There is information on how to get to us on public transport and by car\, along with access information\, on our location & accessibility page.
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/gay-scotland-now-collage-workshop
LOCATION:Edinburgh Zine Fair\, Floor 3\, 151 London Road\, Edinburgh\, EH7 6AE
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Gay-Scotland-cropped.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251103T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251103T200000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20251023T120615Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T120625Z
UID:15467-1762192800-1762200000@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:3\,000 Lesbians Go to York
DESCRIPTION:Join Lavender Menace at the Filmhouse for a screening of this brilliant new film. Followed by a Q&A with author Jane Traies and director Rachel Dax\, and a booksigning.3000 Lesbians Go To York tells the extraordinary true story of how a lesbian bookseller (who also happened to be trans) created the largest gathering of LGBTQ+ women in the UK\, and how from 1998 to 2008\, the quietly conservative city of York became the unlikely centre of all things lesbian! \n\n\n\nFor one thrilling decade\, thousands of women flocked to the York Lesbian Arts Festival (YLAF) each autumn\, to meet their favourite authors\, buy books\, hear top female artists live on stage and dance the night away at the ‘disco of a thousand lesbians.’ \n\n\n\nFeaturing interviews with world famous writers Val McDermid\, Sarah Waters and Jackie Kay\, and the legendary singer Horse\, 3000 Lesbians Go To York is a real celebration of the historical significance of this iconic festival! \n\n\n\n\nBuy a ticket\n\n\n\n\nVenue & AccessibilityThe event will take place at Filmhouse on Lothian Road. You can see accessibility information on the Filmhouse website. Contact Filmhouse directly if you have more questions.
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/3000-lesbians-go-to-york
LOCATION:Filmhouse\, 88 Lothian Road\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9BZ
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3000-lesbians.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251112T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251112T203000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20251027T103840Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251110T113439Z
UID:15478-1762975800-1762979400@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:CANCELLED: Scotch Verdict with Lillian Faderman
DESCRIPTION:UPDATE: Unfortunately\, we have had to cancel this event due to unforeseen circumstances. \n\n\n\nJoin Lavender Menace for a conversation with Lillian Faderman about the writing of her acclaimed book Scotch Verdict. First published in 1983\, the book details the experience of uncovering the story of a scandal surrounding a 19th-century boarding school in Edinburgh’s New Town. \n\n\n\nThis online event will be held on Zoom. We’ll email attendees a Zoom link before the event. Just book a free ticket to attend. \n\n\n\nAbout Scotch Verdict\n\n\n\nAward-winning author Lillian Faderman recreates the events surrounding this notorious case\, which became the basis for Lillian Hellman’s famous play\, The Children’s Hour. Reconstructing the libel suit filed by Pirie and Woods—which resulted in a scotch verdict\, or a verdict of inconclusive/not proven—Faderman builds a compelling narrative from court transcripts\, judges’ notes\, witnesses’ contradictory testimony\, and the prejudices of the men presiding over the case. Her fascinating portrait documents the social\, economic\, and sexual pressures shaping the lives of nineteenth-century women and the issues of class and gender contributing to their marginalisation. \n\n\n\nIn 1810\, a Scottish student named Jane Cumming accused her schoolmistresses\, Jane Pirie and Marianne Woods\, of having an affair in the presence of their students. Dame Helen Cumming Gordon\, the wealthy and powerful grandmother of the accusing student\, advised her friends to remove their daughters from the Drumsheugh boarding school. Within days\, the institution was deserted and the two women were deprived of their livelihoods. \n\n\n\nAbout the speaker\n\n\n\n\nLillian Faderman is an internationally known scholar of lesbian and LGBT history and literature. She is professor emerita of English at California State University\, Fresno. Her award-winning titles include: Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers\, Surpassing the Love of Men\, Naked in the Promised Land\, Power Politics\, and Lipstick Lesbians. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nThe event will be chaired by Indigo Dunphy-Smith \n\n\n\n\nIndigo Dunphy-Smith (she/her) is a researcher and writer based in Edinburgh. She specialises in research and public programmes that create space for marginalised stories in traditional spaces. She is the author of How to: Queer Your Historic House\, a practical toolkit for uncovering queer stories in museum collections\, and co-chairs the National Trust for Scotland’s LGBTQ network and supports organisations to queer their heritage spaces. \n\n\n\n\nImage credits \n\n\n\nLilian Faderman photo by Phyllis Irwin; map reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland Map Images website.
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/scotch-verdict
LOCATION:Midlothian
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Scotch-Verdict-event.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251122T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251122T160000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20251029T200223Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251029T200231Z
UID:15506-1763820000-1763827200@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Fashioning Our Selves with Katrina Rolley
DESCRIPTION:Join Lavender Menace and writer Katrina Rolley for an intimate creative non-fiction workshop exploring how we fashion our selves and our identities through clothing.  \n\n\n\nBook a free place if you’d like to attend. \n\n\n\n\nBook a ticket\n\n\n\n\nWhat to expect\n\n\n\nAn informal conversational workshop in a small group lasting 2 hours (with a short break and refreshments). You don’t need to prepare anything in advance but you’re encouraged to bring a photograph or piece of clothing that’s meaningful to you or someone you care about\, to help us describe and share stories and experiences together. \n\n\n\nAbout the facilitator\n\n\n\n\nKatrina Rolley is a writer and digital creative whose work centres around identity\, appearance and our sense of self. With a background in fashion and identity studies\, Katrina’s current work uses personal experience combined with research into the self-presentation of lesbians in ‘20s and ‘30s Britain to explore how we all fashion our unique selves. \n\n\n\n\nBookingWe only have capacity for a limited number of people in the archive\, so please book in advance. If you are unable to attend\, please let us know so we can offer your place to someone else. \n\n\n\nVenue & AccessibilityThe event is located at the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive in Edinburgh Palette. There is information on how to get to us on public transport and by car\, along with access information\, on our location and accessibility page. \n\n\n\nAny other questionsPlease email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/fashioning-our-selves
LOCATION:Midlothian
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Fashioning-Our-Selves.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251213T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251213T153000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20251127T124038Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251127T124044Z
UID:15535-1765634400-1765639800@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Keepers of the Flame with Janette Ayachi
DESCRIPTION:Join poet Janette Ayachi for a creative writing workshop exploring fire as both a literal & metaphorical force – destruction & renewal\, love & loss\, desire & transformation – while creating a safe\, creative space for participants to reflect on their own inner fires.  \n\n\n\n\nBook a place\n\n\n\n\nWhat to expect\n\n\n\nAn intimate and life-affirming creative writing workshop. We will have pens and paper but feel free to bring your own writing material.Introduction & Reading (15 mins): A short reading from QuickFire\, Slow Burning to set the tone — fire as illumination\, resilience & sacred responsibility. \n\n\n\nGuided Discussion (15 mins): On how fire\, heat & light manifest in our emotional lives & creative processes — how we sustain warmth in community & art. \n\n\n\nWriting Exercises (45 mins): \n\n\n\nIgnition: writing from spark — what lights us up? \n\n\n\nBurning: writing through intensity\, transformation or conflict. \n\n\n\nAsh: writing from aftermath — what remains\, what renews.Sharing & Closing Reflection (15 mins): A chance to read excerpts & discuss how we can carry creative heat through the winter. \n\n\n\nBookingWe only have capacity for a limited number of people in the archive\, so please book in advance. If you are unable to attend\, please let us know so we can offer your place to someone else. \n\n\n\nVenue & AccessibilityThe event is located at the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive in Edinburgh Palette. There is information on how to get to us on public transport and by car\, along with access information\, on our location and accessibility page. \n\n\n\nAny other questionsPlease email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/keepers-of-the-flame
LOCATION:Midlothian
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Eventbrite-tempate.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260114T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260114T200000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20251219T182808Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T182827Z
UID:17360-1768413600-1768420800@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Collaging Queer Edinburgh with Kamal Malhotra
DESCRIPTION:Join artist Kamal Malhotra to explore Edinburgh’s queer history through vintage maps\, images\, magazines\, scissors\, and glue! This informal collage workshop looks at the material Lavender Menace used for our Desire Paths exhibition and encourages participants to remix and redesign Edinburgh’s queer past.  \n\n\n\n\nBook ticket\n\n\n\n\nAbout the facilitator \n\n\n\nKamal Malhotra is an Edinburgh-based illustrator who graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2024. His favourite subjects to explore are queer experiences of the body\, the internet and digital culture\, and gay sex. He has an interest in printmaking and regularly works with risograph\, linocut\, and monotype\, often combined with digital and other traditional media. He also enjoys designing posters and publications. \n\n\n\nWhat to expect \n\n\n\nAn informal creative workshop in a small-group setting. The workshop lasts for 2 hours with a break in the middle. No experience necessary and no advance preparation needed. We will have material for you to use here. \n\n\n\nBooking \n\n\n\nTickets are free – donations are appreciated but optional. Booking in advance is essential as places are limited\, so if you are unable to attend\, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your place to someone else. \n\n\n\nVenue & Accessibility \n\n\n\nThe event is located at the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive in Edinburgh Palette. There is information on how to get to us on public transport and by car\, along with access information\, on our location & accessibility page. \n\n\n\nAny other questions \n\n\n\nPlease email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/collaging-queer-edinburgh
LOCATION:Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive\, Edinburgh Palette\, Edinburgh\, Scotland\, EH7 6AE
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260124T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260124T160000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20251219T191512Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T191522Z
UID:17363-1769263200-1769270400@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Making Art in Dark Times with Mae Diansangu
DESCRIPTION:Create found poetry and collage art in ‘Recover\, recycle\, reimagine: making art in dark times’ – a workshop led by poet Mae Diansangu. \n\n\n\nParticipants will explore what it means to make art in times of multiple crises\, using materials from mainstream media to critique\, reclaim\, and reimagine the dominant narratives that shape our society. \n\n\n\nThis workshop was originally developed as part of ‘Eternal Ecstasy’\, an exhibition of the artist Jamie Reid at the worm\, Aberdeen. \n\n\n\n\nBook ticket\n\n\n\n\nAbout the facilitator \n\n\n\nMae Diansangu is a queer poet from Aberdeen who writes in Scots and English. Her practice is rooted in the belief that storytelling is a collaborative act\, and she is particularly interested in reframing contemporary issues through the retelling of shared histories and myths. Much of her work explores themes of identity\, resilience\, power\, transformation\, and belonging. Her debut collection\, Bloodsongs (Tapsalteerie)\, was longlisted for a 2025 Saltire Book Award. \n\n\n\nWhat to expect \n\n\n\nAn informal creative workshop in a small-group setting. The workshop lasts for 2 hours with a break in the middle. No experience necessary and no advance preparation needed. We will have material for you to use here. \n\n\n\nBooking \n\n\n\nTickets are free – donations are appreciated but optional. Booking in advance is essential\, as places are limited. If you are unable to attend\, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your place to someone else. \n\n\n\nVenue & Accessibility \n\n\n\nThe event is located at the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive in Edinburgh Palette. There is information on how to get to us on public transport and by car\, along with access information\, on our location & accessibility page. \n\n\n\nAny other questions \n\n\n\nPlease email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/making-art-in-dark-times
LOCATION:Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive\, Edinburgh Palette\, Edinburgh\, Scotland\, EH7 6AE
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Eventbrite-tempate-7.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260207T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260207T160000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20260124T114712Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260125T182400Z
UID:17451-1770472800-1770480000@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Who’s Lore is it Anyway? Queering Scottish Folktales with Elisabeth Flett
DESCRIPTION:Come along to the archive for a queer folklore-themed writing workshop with Scottish author Elisabeth Flett! Elisabeth’s 2025 novel No Such Thing As Kelpies is an LGBTQ+ modern re-imagining of Scottish fairy tales and folkloric creatures. Together we’ll be learning a few fun facts about Scottish folklore\, hearing a couple of extracts from Flett’s book and trying our hands at writing our own queered tales. This will be a relaxed\, fun session – no need to have previous experience in writing\, just come with something on which to write and a hunger for some tale twisting! \n\n\n\n\nBook a ticket\n\n\n\n\nAbout the facilitator \n\n\n\nElisabeth Flett (she/they) is an award-winning writer\, theatre-maker\, musician and general feminist trouble maker. A 2021 graduate of the Elphinstone Institute MLitt course in Scottish Ethnology and Folklore\, Flett is fast becoming a well-known figure in the world of queer Scottish folklore with their 2024 solo storytelling show The Selkie’s Wife enjoying particular acclaim. They are passionate about mental health awareness\, LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality\, themes which often feature in all forms of their work as a creative practitioner. \n\n\n\nWhat to expect \n\n\n\nAn informal creative workshop in a small-group setting. The workshop lasts for 2 hours with a break in the middle. No experience necessary and no advance preparation needed. We will have material for you to use here. \n\n\n\nBooking \n\n\n\nTickets are pay-what-you-can. Booking in advance is essential as places are limited so\, if you are unable to attend\, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your place to someone else. \n\n\n\nVenue & Accessibility \n\n\n\nThe event is located at the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive in Edinburgh Palette. There is information on how to get to us on public transport and by car\, along with access information\, on our location & accessibility page. \n\n\n\nAny other questions \n\n\n\nPlease email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/queering-scottish-folktales
LOCATION:Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive\, Edinburgh Palette\, Edinburgh\, Scotland\, EH7 6AE
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Eventbrite-tempate-11.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260215T141500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260215T160000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20240426T131144Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260124T104612Z
UID:2385-1771164900-1771171200@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Lesbian Words
DESCRIPTION:Join us for our monthly discussion about lesbian books! We get together on the third Sunday of each month to chat about books and media about lesbians\, sapphics\, bi and/or queer women. \n\n\n\nWe usually pick a specific topic to discuss each month\, like our favourite book to movie adaptations\, controversial books\, or lesbian representation throughout history.  \n\n\n\nThe theme for February is Romance – come along and talk about your favourite sapphic romance! \n\n\n\nLesbian Words is open to anyone who wants to talk about lesbian or sapphic books. You don’t have to be a lesbian to join\, and the group is trans inclusive: trans women\, trans femmes\, and non-binary folks welcome. \n\n\n\nBooking \n\n\n\n\n\nBooking in advance is essential as places are limited so\, if you are unable to attend\, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your place to someone else. \n\n\n\nVenue & AccessibilityThe event is located at the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive in Edinburgh Palette. There is information on how to get to us on public transport and by car\, along with access information\, on our location & accessibility page. \n\n\n\nAny other questionsPlease email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/lesbian-words-6
LOCATION:Midlothian
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LW.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260218T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260218T193000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20260129T122542Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T201043Z
UID:17466-1771437600-1771443000@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Museum of Transology in conversation with Richard Sandell
DESCRIPTION:Join Lavender Menace and the CILIP LGBTQ+ Network for an online evening discussion about protecting and sharing trans heritage. Curator E-J Scott will be in dialogue with Professor Richard Sandell in an event chaired by historian Elena Fritzsch. \n\n\n\n\nBook a space\n\n\n\n\nAbout the speakers\n\n\n\nE-J Scott is a curator\, cultural producer and academic whose practice focuses on enabling communities who may traditionally have been marginalised in museums to recentre their histories via interventive participatory practice. E-J is a Senior Lecturer on the BA (Hons) Culture\, Criticism and Curation at Central Saint Martins\, University of the Arts London. They founded the Museum of Transology in 2014\, now the largest collection of material culture representing trans lives in the world (Bishopsgate Institute\, London). \n\n\n\nRichard Sandell is Professor of Museum Studies and co-director of the Research Centre for Museums and Galleries at the University of Leicester. He is a co-author of Trans-Inclusive Culture: guidance on advancing trans inclusion for museums\, galleries\, archives and heritage organisations. \n\n\n\nElena Fritzsch is an historian and a former volunteer archivist at Lavender Menace. She has an MA in History and Politics from the University of Edinburgh and a postgraduate degree in History from Leiden University\, where her research focused on gender-affirming healthcare in trans magazines. \n\n\n\nBooking\n\n\n\nTickets are free – donations are appreciated but optional. Booking in advance is essential as places are limited so\, if you are unable to attend\, please cancel your ticket.This event will take place on Zoom. A meeting link will be sent out on the day of the event. \n\n\n\nAny other questions\n\n\n\nPlease email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/museum-of-transology
LOCATION:Midlothian
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-29-102926.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260222T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260222T160000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20240521T153522Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260219T130329Z
UID:2415-1771768800-1771776000@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Social Sunday
DESCRIPTION:On the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month\, the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive is open 2pm–4pm for our informal Social Sundays. Join us for tea\, cake and lots of queer book discussion! \n\n\n\nThere is no need to sign up in advance\, you can just turn up. \n\n\n\nSocial Sundays are a great way to learn more about the archive and chat about your favourite LGBTQ+ books. You can come with friends or on your own – our volunteers will make you feel welcome. \n\n\n\nVenue & Accessibility\n\n\n\nSocial Sunday takes place at the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive in Edinburgh Palette. There is information on how to get to us on public transport and by car\, along with access information\, on our location & accessibility page. \n\n\n\nAny other questions\n\n\n\nPlease email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/social-sunday-6
LOCATION:Midlothian
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Social-Sundays-web-banner.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260223T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260223T233000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20260120T124054Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260120T124111Z
UID:17432-1771873200-1771889400@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Pub Quiz Fundraiser for Lavender Menace
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a pub quiz\, raffle and social with Dyke Bar! \n\n\n\nFundraising for non-profits and LGBTQ+ organisations is especially tough right now\, and we’d love your support to help us keep the archive doors open.  \n\n\n\nLavender Menace volunteers will host a big gay pub quiz\, with questions themed around LGBTQ+ books\, Edinburgh’s queer scene\, and other queer media. We’ll also be running a raffle with amazing prizes from local organisations and artists! \n\n\n\nAnd after the quiz\, stick around for Dyke Bar for a pint and a blether. Follow @edinburghdykebar for more info. \n\n\n\nHow to book/take part \n\n\n\nPlease book a ticket via Eventbrite. You can donate when you sign up\, or you can book a free ticket if you plan to donate on the night: \n\n\n\n\nBook a ticket\n\n\n\n\nYou can choose your own donation amount for the pub quiz. Raffle tickets are £1 each or £4 for a strip of 5. \n\n\n\nLocation & access \n\n\n\nThis event will be at Leith Depot. \n\n\n\nThe bar is at ground level with ramps at the main entrance and into the venue. Ramps are also available for access to the stage performance area. An accessible toilet is located within the venue. Find out more on the Leith Depot website: https://leithdepot.com/about-us.html \n\n\n\nDonate  \n\n\n\nIf you can’t make the event but you want to support us\, you can donate to the archive here: \n\n\n\n\nSupport the archive\n\n\n\n\nDonations help us with the costs of book preservation\, events\, opening hours\, staffing and volunteer management. Thank you so much!
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/pub-quiz
LOCATION:Midlothian
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260305T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260503T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20260129T101222Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T130935Z
UID:17459-1772704800-1777827600@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Past Shelves: Histories of Queer Reading (Exhibition)
DESCRIPTION:Opening hours: The exhibition runs 5 March to 3 May. In March\, the museum is open Wednesday to Sunday. In April/May\, it is open every day. \n\n\n\nJoin us for the Past Shelves exhibition to explore the impact of LGBTQ+ reading\, publishing\, and bookselling. The exhibition is inspired by Scotland’s first LGBTQ+ bookshops\, community experiences of reading and life in Scotland from 1980-2000. \n\n\n\nThe Past Shelves exhibition follows on from the Past Shelves oral history project run in 2025-2026 by the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive. The project interviewed dozens of members of the LGBTQ+ community whose lives were shaped by books and reading. You can hear some of these interviews in the exhibition. \n\n\n\nLavender Menace was Scotland’s first gay and lesbian community bookshop. Co-founded by Bob Orr and Sigrid Nielsen\, it opened in 1982. After five years of bookselling\, the bookshop was reborn as West & Wilde (1987-1997) owned by Bob Orr and Raymond Rose. These spaces were a haven for LGBTQ+ people and sold queer books at a time when mainstream bookshops would not stock them. The bookshops were also important community spaces where LGBTQ+ people could feel welcomed and connect with each other. In 2019\, Lavender Menace was revived as Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive.  \n\n\n\nDiscover the world of Lavender Menace and West & Wilde with us\, through books\, magazines\, interviews and more. \n\n\n\nCredits \n\n\n\nThis exhibition was created by Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive in partnership with Museums & Galleries Edinburgh. Thank you to our funders\, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Awards for All. \n\n\n\nLocation & access \n\n\n\nThe exhibition takes place at the Museum of Edinburgh\, 142-146 Canongate\, Edinburgh EH8 8DD. \n\n\n\nThe main entrance has 1 step. There is no lift and no ramp and the upper levels are accessible by stairs only. There is level access from the main entrance to the Foyer section of the exhibition and the accessible toilets. Some parts of the exhibition are located upstairs\, which are accessible by stairs only.  \n\n\n\nWe appreciate that this means some of our audience won’t be able to access the exhibition\, and we are committed to producing a digital guide of the exhibition in order to make the exhibition more accessible.  \n\n\n\nIf the inaccessibility of the building is preventing you from seeing the exhibition\, please email themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk and we will send you the digital guide when it is available (currently expected late April).
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/past-shelves
LOCATION:Museum of Edinburgh\, 142-146 Canongate\, Edinburgh\, Midlothian\, EH8 8DD\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Past-Shelves-banner.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260308T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260308T160000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20240521T153430Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260219T130345Z
UID:2412-1772978400-1772985600@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Social Sunday
DESCRIPTION:On the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month\, the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive is open 2pm–4pm for our informal Social Sundays. Join us for tea\, cake and lots of queer book discussion! \n\n\n\nThere is no need to sign up in advance\, you can just turn up. \n\n\n\nSocial Sundays are a great way to learn more about the archive and chat about your favourite LGBTQ+ books. You can come with friends or on your own – our volunteers will make you feel welcome. \n\n\n\nVenue & Accessibility\n\n\n\nSocial Sunday takes place at the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive in Edinburgh Palette. There is information on how to get to us on public transport and by car\, along with access information\, on our location & accessibility page. \n\n\n\nAny other questions\n\n\n\nPlease email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/social-sunday-5
LOCATION:Midlothian
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Social-Sundays-web-banner.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260313T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260313T153000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20260225T104743Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T121716Z
UID:17553-1773410400-1773415800@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Dyke's Delight: Kate Charlesworth in Conversation with Jay Whittaker
DESCRIPTION:Join Lavender Menace for an afternoon of stories of lesbian life and art. Kate Charlesworth is an illustrator and writer of renowned lesbian cult classics like Sensible Footwear: A Girl’s Guide and The Life & Times of Auntie Studs. Kate will be in conversation with award-winning poet and writer Jay Whittaker. \n\n\n\n\nBook ticket\n\n\n\n\nThis event is part of our exhibition Past Shelves: Queer Histories of Reading (5 March to 30 April\, Museum of Edinburgh)\, created in partnership with the Museum of Edinburgh (City of Edinburgh Council). Thank you to our funders\, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Awards for All. \n\n\n\n\nKate Charlesworth began to work as a cartoonist and illustrator in the 1970s. Her work has appeared in LGBT publications such as The Pink Paper\, Gay News\, Strip AIDS\, Dyke’s Delight\, whilst in the mainstream media she drew weekly strips for The Guardian\, New Scientist\, and the Independent. The award-winning graphic novel ‘Sally Heathcote – Suffragette’\, co-authored with Mary and Bryan Talbot\, appeared in 2014 and was followed in 2019 by her award-winning LGBT memoir/history\, ‘Sensible Footwear – a Girl’s Guide.’ \n\n\n\n\n\nJay Whittaker is an award-winning poet\, author of two full length collections: Sweet Anaesthetist\, (Cinnamon Press\, 2020) and Wristwatch\, (Cinnamon Press\, 2017)\, which was Saltire Society Poetry Book of the Year 2018. Current projects include her third poetry collection\, a queer sewing memoir in prose\, and co-hosting EH11’s grass-roots poetry night\, The Graveyard Shift. \n\n\n\n\n(Photo by Ryan McGoverne) \n\n\n\nLocation and Access\n\n\n\nThis event is taking place at Assembly Rooms\, 54 George Street\, Edinburgh EH2 2LR. \n\n\n\nThe venue is fully accessible on the ground and first floor areas for all visitors with mobility difficulties and accessibility needs via a lift or handrail assistance. For full accessibility information\, visit the venue website: https://cultureedinburgh.com/our-venues/assembly-rooms
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/dykes-delight
LOCATION:Assembly Rooms\, 54 George Street\, Edinburgh\, EH2 2LR\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Eventbrite-tempate-15.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260329T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260329T160000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20260301T152434Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260308T140326Z
UID:17561-1774792800-1774800000@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Becoming Archived with the Lesbian Snapshot Collective
DESCRIPTION:“…[G]ive us a visual record of our passages… a mosaic of lesbian strength\, of our strivings to remake our outer and inner worlds.” – Joan Nestle \n\n\n\nIn an era shaped by Section 28 and silence\, many lesbian lives of the 1980s and 1990s were undocumented or deliberately hidden. Join the Lesbian Snapshot Collective to bring those images into the light—out of our shoeboxes\, out of our closets. In this creative archiving workshop\, we will explore personal snapshots\, storytelling\, consent\, and what it means to record your own history. \n\n\n\n\nBook ticket\n\n\n\n\nYou are invited to bring a personal photograph\, share its story\, and reflect on what it means to archive lesbian life now. \n\n\n\nThis event is for all lesbians\, dykes\, and queer and trans women. Those that came out before the year 2000 are particularly welcome. Find out more about the Lesbian Snapshot Collective. \n\n\n\nWhat to expect \n\n\n\nAn informal creative workshop in a small-group setting. The workshop lasts for 2 hours with a break in the middle. \n\n\n\nYou are invited to bring a personal photograph\, share its story\, and reflect on what it means to archive lesbian life now. \n\n\n\nBooking \n\n\n\nTickets are pay-what-you-can. Booking in advance is essential as places are limited so\, if you are unable to attend\, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your place to someone else. \n\n\n\nVenue & Accessibility \n\n\n\nThe event is located at the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive in Edinburgh Palette. There is information on how to get to us on public transport and by car\, along with access information\, on our location & accessibility page. \n\n\n\nAny other questions \n\n\n\nPlease email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/lesbian-snapshot-collective
LOCATION:Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive\, Edinburgh Palette\, Edinburgh\, Scotland\, EH7 6AE
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Eventbrite-tempate-17.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260401T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260401T160000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20250430T134301Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T111801Z
UID:3117-1775048400-1775059200@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Lavender Drawing Board
DESCRIPTION:The Lavender Drawing Board: Co-working for queer creatives \n\n\n\n\nBook a place\n\n\n\n\nResearching\, writing and creative freelancing can be a lonely road. The Lavender Menace Drawing Board offers a calm\, supportive atmosphere for studying\, reading and library-reasonable creative work in the company of fellow queer bees. \n\n\n\nBecause of the nature of the building\, we can’t guarantee silence but we will hold the quietest space we can within the room. There are nooks to break out into if you need to discuss\, plan or scheme and adaptable floor-room for bigger (potentially messier) projects. \n\n\n\nThe final half hour of every session will be a bookable spot for anyone looking for feedback\, help or advice on their latest endeavour. Do you need to read through a scene? Test the flow of a piece of writing? Assistance on a funding application? This will be your moment! \n\n\n\nBookingWe only have capacity for a limited number of people in the archive\, so please book in advance. If you are unable to attend\, please let us know so we can offer your place to someone else. \n\n\n\nVenue & AccessibilityThe event is located at the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive in Edinburgh Palette. There is information on how to get to us on public transport and by car\, along with access information\, on our location and accessibility page. \n\n\n\nAny other questionsPlease email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/drawing-board
LOCATION:Midlothian
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Eventbrite-tempate-19.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260404T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260404T153000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20260311T124216Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T124230Z
UID:17582-1775311200-1775316600@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Menacing Since 1982
DESCRIPTION:This free event brings together the people behind Scotland’s first LGBT+ bookshops\, Lavender Menace (1982-87) and West & Wilde (1987-97). \n\n\n\nSigrid Nielsen\, Bob Orr\, and Raymond Rose were all involved in these first two bookshops in Edinburgh\, where LGBT+ people could find books\, space\, and community. \n\n\n\nThe event will be hosted by Anna Broomfield\, the coordinator of Past Shelves\, an oral history project about experiences of LGBT+ reading and books. \n\n\n\nThis event is part of our exhibition Past Shelves: Queer Histories of Reading (5 March to 3 May\, Museum of Edinburgh)\, created in partnership with Museums & Galleries Edinburgh. Thank you to our funders\, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Awards for All. \n\n\n\n\nBook ticket\n\n\n\n\nLocation and Access\n\n\n\nThis event is taking place at Assembly Rooms\, 54 George Street\, Edinburgh EH2 2LR. \n\n\n\nThe venue is fully accessible on the ground and first floor areas for all visitors with mobility difficulties and accessibility needs via a lift or handrail assistance. For full accessibility information\, visit the venue website: https://cultureedinburgh.com/our-venues/assembly-rooms
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/menacing-since-1982
LOCATION:Assembly Rooms\, 54 George Street\, Edinburgh\, EH2 2LR\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Eventbrite-tempate-18.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260412T121500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260412T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20240426T193500Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260321T172839Z
UID:2391-1775996100-1776002400@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Queer Men for Queer Literature
DESCRIPTION:A friendly monthly discussion group about gay books and gay writing\, for people who enjoy reading and talking about how gay writing has impacted our lives. We meet on the second Sunday of every month and we pick a different theme/topic each time. \n\n\n\nIn April\, we’ll be talking about Queer Antagonists\, Enemies\, and Rivals. \n\n\n\nYou don’t need to prepare anything in advance\, but you’re welcome to bring along a text or extract from a piece of published gay writing you feel a connection with. \n\n\n\nThese sessions are for anyone who identifies as a gay\, bi\, or queer man and wants to discuss books. Our events are trans-inclusive: trans men\, trans mascs\, and non-binary folks welcome. \n\n\n\nBooking \n\n\n\n\nBook a ticket\n\n\n\n\nBooking in advance is essential as places are limited so\, if you are unable to attend\, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your place to someone else. \n\n\n\nVenue & AccessibilityThe event is located at the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive in Edinburgh Palette. There is information on how to get to us on public transport and by car\, along with access information\, on our location & accessibility page. \n\n\n\nAny other questionsPlease email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/qm4ql
LOCATION:Midlothian
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/QM4QL-web-banner.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260412T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260412T183000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20260317T115317Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260318T091358Z
UID:17591-1776013200-1776018600@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Sarah Schulman: The Fantasy and Necessity of Solidarity
DESCRIPTION:What is solidarity? And how can solidarity effectively challenge the status quo? \n\n\n\nJoin acclaimed writer\, activist and historian Sarah Schulman to celebrate her latest book\, The Fantasy and Necessity of Solidarity. Schulman looks to the past\, present\, and future to unpack the often misunderstood concept of solidarity.  \n\n\n\n\nBook tickets\n\n\n\n\nReflecting on her own experiences as a queer artist as well as wider political movements – such as New York City’s AIDS activism in the 1990s and the current worldwide protests organising against Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people – Schulman considers how true collaboration may help us move closer towards justice. Throughout\, she unpacks both successes and failures of various movements\, highlighting how we can better stand with others. Crucial and insightful\, The Fantasy and Necessity of Solidarity is a hopeful call to action. \n\n\n\nSarah Schulman is a novelist\, playwright\, screenwriter\, nonfiction writer\, and AIDS historian. Her books include The Gentrification of the Mind and Conflict Is Not Abuse. Her writing has appeared in The New Yorker\, New York\, Harper’s Magazine\, The Atlantic\, The Nation\, The New Republic\, The New York Times\, and The Guardian. \n\n\n\nIn collaboration with Peninsula Press\, Sliver\, Outburst Arts\, EAF (Edinburgh Art Festival)\, Glasgow Women’s Library\, Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive\, Lighthouse Books\, and London Review of Books.
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/sarah-schulman
LOCATION:Augustine United Church\, 41 George IV Bridge\, Edinburgh\, Midlothian\, EH1 1EL\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Book-Cover-1536x864-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260419T121500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260419T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20241001T124052Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260322T144442Z
UID:2791-1776600900-1776607200@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Queer Joy
DESCRIPTION:Join us at our monthly Queer Joy book club!  \n\n\n\nIn April\, we’re reading The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka. \n\n\n\nWe normally meet on the third Sunday of each month to discuss queer books through a lens of finding joy in LGBTQ+ stories. Queer books are often distressing or tragic\, so we started a book club focused on seeking out more uplifting stories. That doesn’t mean we always read lighthearted books\, but through our discussions we try to focus on the joyful aspects of living a queer life. \n\n\n\n\nBook a ticket\n\n\n\n\nBookingBooking in advance is essential as places are limited so\, if you are unable to attend\, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your place to someone else. \n\n\n\nVenue & AccessibilityThe event is located at the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive in Edinburgh Palette. There is information on how to get to us on public transport and by car\, along with access information\, on our location & accessibility page. \n\n\n\nAny other questionsPlease email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/queer-joy
LOCATION:Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive\, Edinburgh Palette\, Edinburgh\, Scotland\, EH7 6AE
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Eventbrite-tempate-21.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260420T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260420T160000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20250724T173732Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260329T130124Z
UID:15246-1776690000-1776700800@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Future Drop Outs: co-working group
DESCRIPTION:Book now\n\n\n\n\nFuture Drop Outs is a co-working group for queer students\, researchers\, and writers. Join us for a calm\, supportive studying session\, 1-4pm on the third Monday of the month. What to expect \n\n\n\nA relaxed and relatively quiet space to work on your own project in the company of others. Because of the nature of the building\, we can’t guarantee silence but we will hold the quietest space we can within the room. We will have basic refreshments (tea\, coffee\, biscuits) out.  \n\n\n\nThe final half hour of every session will be an informal conversation and people are welcome to share their work if they would like to.  \n\n\n\nBookingWe only have capacity for a limited number of people in the archive\, so please book in advance. If you are unable to attend\, please let us know so we can offer your place to someone else. \n\n\n\nVenue & AccessibilityThe event is located at the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive in Edinburgh Palette. There is information on how to get to us on public transport and by car\, along with access information\, on our location and accessibility page. \n\n\n\nAny other questionsPlease email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/future-drop-outs
LOCATION:Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive\, Edinburgh Palette\, Edinburgh\, Scotland\, EH7 6AE
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/FUTURE-DROP-OUTS-2160-x-1080-px.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260425T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260425T163000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20260220T094150Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260329T204700Z
UID:17524-1777125600-1777134600@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Lesbian Words Presents: A Scotch Verdict Walking Tour with Indigo Dunphy-Smith
DESCRIPTION:Step back in time with queer history researcher and writer Indigo for this walking tour of Edinburgh. Together\, we will explore the infamous sapphic scandal that inspired The Children’s Hour\, starring Audrey Hepburn\, and Scotch Verdict by historian Lillian Faderman. As we weave our way from the New Town to the Old Town\, we’ll explore the people\, places and prejudices connected to this 1810 legal case. We’ll unpack how colonial thought and queer desire influenced the uniquely Scottish court ruling – not proven. \n\n\n\n\nBook ticket\n\n\n\n\nAbout the facilitator\n\n\n\n\nIndigo Dunphy-Smith (she/her) is a researcher and writer based in Edinburgh. She specialises in research and public programmes that create space for marginalised stories in traditional spaces. She is the author of How to: Queer Your Historic House\, a practical toolkit for uncovering queer stories in museum collections\, and co-chairs the National Trust for Scotland’s LGBTQ network and supports organisations to queer their heritage spaces. \n\n\n\n\nWhat to expect\n\n\n\nAn informal walking tour in a small-group setting. Please dress warmly for the Scottish weather and wear your sensible footwear.  \n\n\n\nThe walk lasts for 2 and a half hours\, and participants will be walking or standing for this time unless they use or bring a chair. The route goes through the New Town\, up the Mound\, and onto the Royal Mile and involves some light uphill walking (the Mound) and uneven paving. \n\n\n\nIf the tour needs to be step-free for you to attend (or if you have any access requests)\, please email us to let us know so we can amend the route: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk \n\n\n\nBooking\n\n\n\nTickets are pay-what-you-can. Booking in advance is essential as places are limited so\, if you are unable to attend\, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your place to someone else. \n\n\n\nLocation \n\n\n\nMeet at 2pm outside Cairngorn Coffee\, 1 Melville Pl\, Edinburgh EH3 7PR \n\n\n\nAny other questions\n\n\n\nPlease email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/scotch-verdict-walking-tour
LOCATION:Cairngorm Coffee\, 1 Melville Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 7PR
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260426T121500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260426T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T092852
CREATED:20240809T150415Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260329T124019Z
UID:2623-1777205700-1777212000@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Queer Gothic Words
DESCRIPTION:A monthly book club focusing on queer gothic writing. Every month we choose a book (or selection of shorter texts) by LGBTQ+ authors\, or featuring queer characters/themes to read and discuss together. We alternate between classic and contemporary texts. \n\n\n\nIn April\, we’re reading The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole. \n\n\n\n\nBook ticket\n\n\n\n\nBooking \n\n\n\nPlease book in advance. If you are unable to attend\, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your place to someone else. \n\n\n\nVenue & AccessibilityThe event is located at the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive in Edinburgh Palette. There is information on how to get to us on public transport and by car\, along with access information\, on our location & accessibility page. \n\n\n\nAny other questionsPlease email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/queer-gothic-words
LOCATION:Midlothian
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