A Space for Us

We are Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive, and we're raising money to establish a safe events queer space and reading room to house our ever-growing queer books archive.

The Archive grew out of Scotland's first lesbian and gay bookshops in the 1980s and 1990s. Since they closed, the books we sold then are mostly out of print or hard to find, as are the publishers who made them possible. So we aim to collect and conserve as many titles from that period, celebrate their authors and their work and connect to the generations of LGBTQ+ people who have come out since by producing events, both in-person and online.

We will spend the money creating a safe space for the queer community in Edinburgh and beyond, both a reading room and an events space. We want to develop the space by buying:

• bookshelves

• storage space

• office furniture

• reading chairs

• video camera, projector and screen

• continuing overheads such as rent and insurance.

We are reaching out to people who see the value in a safe queer space and the facilities it will provide, which will have a long-term benefit to the LGBTQ+ and the city.

There's lots more on our website and blog at https://lavendermenace.org.uk.