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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260305T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260503T170000
DTSTAMP:20260419T003252
CREATED:20260129T101222Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260412T135014Z
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260412T121500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260412T140000
DTSTAMP:20260419T003252
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260412T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260412T183000
DTSTAMP:20260419T003252
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:20260419T003252
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
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260420T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260420T160000
DTSTAMP:20260419T003252
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:20260419T003252
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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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260426T121500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260426T140000
DTSTAMP:20260419T003252
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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Gothic-web.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260502T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260502T160000
DTSTAMP:20260419T003252
CREATED:20260415T210220Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260415T210226Z
UID:17794-1777730400-1777737600@lavendermenace.org.uk
SUMMARY:Sketching in the Museum
DESCRIPTION:Join us at the Museum of Edinburgh for a fun and informal sketching workshop at the Past Shelves exhibition with queer artist\, Annie Lord. No experience necessary! Annie will lead some guided drawing exercises to get you started then you are encouraged to spend time sketching anything in the exhibition or museum that catches your interest. \n\n\n\n\nBook a ticket\n\n\n\n\nOur Past Shelves exhibition explores 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. Discover the world of Lavender Menace and West & Wilde with us\, through books\, magazines\, costumes\, interviews and more. \n\n\n\nAbout the facilitator\n\n\n\n\nAnnie Lord is a visual artist and writer with a socially engaged\, place-based practice. Her artworks combine environmental interventions\, drawings\, text and community collaborations. She is fascinated by how we find meaning in matter\, transforming plants\, animals and minerals into objects of artistic\, scientific and domestic value. \n\n\n\nAnnie’s work includes The Neighbouring Orchard\, a dispersed community orchard commissioned by Art Walk Projects. Sketching in Stone was a place-based residency in Berwick-upon-Tweed\, commissioned by Connecting Threads. Her work-in-progress book\, Morphoses\, was shortlisted for the 2023 Nan Shepherd Prize for underrepresented voices in nature writing and she is currently developing it into a full-length manuscript. \n\n\n\n\nPhoto credit: Foldyard \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 but feel free to bring your own sketchbook\, paper\, or drawing materials (nothing too messy please!) if you have preferences.  \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 & Access\n\n\n\nThe workshop and exhibition take 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\nAny other questions\n\n\n\nPlease email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk
URL:https://lavendermenace.org.uk/event/sketching-in-the-museum
LOCATION:Museum of Edinburgh\, 142-146 Canongate\, Edinburgh\, Midlothian\, EH8 8DD\, United Kingdom
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260506T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260506T160000
DTSTAMP:20260419T003252
CREATED:20250430T134301Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260412T210641Z
UID:3117-1778072400-1778083200@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-23.png
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