Queer Books

**Join Queer Greenwich at Ye Olde Rose n Crown for their Thursday Night** **Drag Bingo****!** **Hosted by the legendary hot mess express Miss Aisles (@missaisles). Filled with cheeky stories, hysterical jokes, sing alongs, and plenty of laughs.** **Come for the fun or the prize of Ten Thousand Laughs (no seriously, there are cash prizes🤑). It is a scream, so dig up those loose coins down the back of your sofa for a bingo ticket or just join in for the socials and amazing laughs!🤣** **Where** **Ye Olde Rose & Crown Greenwich, SE10 8ER** **(QG will have tables reserved, so RSVP if you plan to come along. Seating will be first come, first served due to booking limits, but the pub will do its best to accommodate everyone.)** **When** **Third Thursday of the month:** **MeetUp from 7:30, and BINGO starts @8pm** **How Much** **Free to attend and £2.50 per bingo ticket (cash only) to play. Buy as many tickets as you want! There’s usually a “Buy 4, Get 5 Cards” deal as well.** **See you there🌈🎲.**

Mark the start of spring and new beginnings with our next open mic, ‘On Becoming’! You are welcome to explore the theme however you see fit OR ignore it completely. 🗓️Thursday 23rd Apr ⏰Doors open 6.30pm | Open Mic 7pm – 9pm 📍London Bubble Theatre, 3-5 Elephant Lane, SE16 4JD 🎫FREE! [Book here.](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/open-mic-night-on-becoming-tickets-1981201619376) ✨Writers, poets, musicians and singers welcome. You will each have up to 5 mins to perform ✨Suggested contributions of £5 will be asked on the night to help support these events. ✨Sign up at the door

We are venturing further afield! Join us for an evening with author Clare Chambers at the Stoneleigh Library. Join us for an evening of bookish delights with the incredible Clare Chambers at Stoneleigh Library - a literary event not to be missed! ## BEST SELLING AUTHOR CLARE CHAMBERS AT STONELEIGH LIBRARY Don't miss the chance to meet **best selling author Clare Chambers** in person at **Stoneleigh Library for free**. It’s your perfect chance to chat, get your books signed, and hear all about her latest stories. Whether you're a long time fan or just curious, this event is a must! Come along for a fun and inspiring time with Clare – see you there! Waterstones Epsom will also be at the event, selling books by Clare Chambers which Clare will be happy to sign on the night **The evening of 23rd April is also World Book Night so as well as having Clare chat to us we will be having a lucky book dip, a book recommendations board and a book quiz** For Tickets: [THIS WILL TAKE YOU TO EVENTBRITE](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/best-selling-author-clare-chambers-at-stoneleigh-library-tickets-1981521937456?aff=oddtdtcreator) We will be meeting between 18:30 and 19:00 at the pub nearby, *The Station*, and then will go for the author talk at 19:00. You do not need to have read any of her books to attend and you will be able to buy some books at the venue if you enjoy her talk.

Join us for Pink Ink - our LGBTQ+ creative writing support group! Pink Ink offers a safe writing space to all LGBTQ+ people to come together to write, share and discuss work. Each workshops will offer up 2-3 creatives writing exercises in a a fun sociable setting - refreshments, snacks and an opportunity to chat about writing, poetry, authors and a whole lot more! Our January workshops will also include a poetry exercise which will support any creative writers looking to enter the LGBT Swichboard [Poetry Competition ](https://switchboard.lgbt/switchboard-news-poetry-comp/) Every 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month 7-9pm 86 Caladonian Rd

Our regular social on the fourth Thursday every month, in a Soho bar. Great for new members; very friendly, relaxed atmosphere, definitely social, fun, and happy; not meat-market, just informal chat and optional drinks from the bar. Come say hi and hang out! This is our main regular event. All bi+ people welcome (so including pansexual, m-spec queer etc.), plus supportive partners, anyone bi-curious/questioning, and practicing allies - no biphobia, racism, transphobia or other bigotry allowed! If you have extra needs or questions, please get in touch via Meetup messaging/social media. ⚫ Who/what to expect... Pre-pandemic pub meets were 30-40 people, we're back near those numbers again; there will be a good mix of regulars and first-timers (roughly half and half - always a lot of new faces every time), genders (not too far from an even split of men/women, a few of whom might be trans — of course non-binary people welcome too), a mix of ethnicities similar to or sometimes even more diverse than the London population, and some neurodiversity (not all neurotypical people). The odd couple/+1 too. This keeps it fresh and friendly to all - regulars chat to new folk. New members won't be the only new person (by a long way) so you shouldn't feel left out. If you turn up after the start and it looks like everyone already knows everyone - it only seems like that; its just how friendly we are. We finish late so we're used to people coming and going all through the evening. Most people arrive within the first hour, it's busiest at 9-9.30pm but a crowd is around til at least 10pm, often later (sometimes even a handful til closing). ⚫ Social Media / Further details: We also use Twitter/a little Instagram and a Facebook Page for news, issues, updates and activism from the community in London and further afield. The group accounts are happy to be tagged for bi content but respect individuals' privacy (eg. avoid identifying anyone without consent). Official events always on Meetup, but links often shared on social media and LinkedIn/our Discord chat server. Twitter @londonbi / Instagram @londonbisexualsmeetup / Facebook Page and LinkedIn: London Bisexuals Meetup Group (all use our logo). Links via our campsite bio (bottom of list): https://campsite.bio/londonbi After the meet finishes (between events), continue the chat via our Discord server (needs a separate account): https://discord.gg/PvZBDVu or official WhatsApp group (ask for invite/check comments here sometimes).

📚 **Foyles Bookshop @ charing cross** Forget the mindless scrolling. We’ve been "reading" people since we were born, but the art of getting lost in a book is becoming a lost skill. Since I started reading more, I’ve become a sharper listener and a better communicator. It’s time to reignite that focus. We’re heading to **Foyles** on Charing Cross Road—five floors of pure inspiration—to hang out, browse, and actually talk about things that matter. This isn't just a social; it's about building a better self and a stronger community. **The Game Plan:** We’ll grab a coffee (or snack) and dive into one of these four topics: 1. **Smart Money:** Not a "who earns what" brag-fest. Just real tips and tricks on how to save and stay ahead in the expensive UK. 2. **Class vs. Trends:** How do you stay timeless and "classy" when everyone else is just chasing the latest 24-hour trend? 3. **The Good Stuff:** What are you reading? Bring a fiction or non-fiction recommendation that actually made an impact on you. 4. **Hidden UK:** Where are the best places to travel in the UK when you need to get out of the London bubble? **Vibe:** Productive, intentional, and relaxed. We will meet up at Soho Square Garden, Sutton Row entrance. Have quick introductions. And then walk(3 mins) to Foyles. **Location:** Foyles Bookshop, 107 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0DT

Spring is the perfect time to usher in some Romantasy reading so for the month of April we’re reading Olivia Atwater’s Half a Soul 💜🧚 You can find us at Foyles Charing Cross’s 5th floor cafe. This month’s book will be on the table for easy identification.

Calling all Queer singers, songwriters, poets, public speakers, and performers... Join Queer Open Mic London at legendary venue [The Cock Tavern](https://www.thecocktavernlondon.com/) for a night of artistic expression from the LGBTQIA+ community. **If you'd like to perform please get in touch with Josh (co-organiser) beforehand to secure your slot. You can click on his profile to message him, give him a shout in the event chat on this page, or contact him [on Instagram](www.instagram.com/joshandthejumpstarts/).** This event is designed as an informal showcase for Queer performers. Non-Queer friends and allies are more than welcome in the audience. **Sunday 26th April, 2026** **5:30pm-8:30pm** **The Cock Tavern** 340 Kennington Rd London SE11 4LD Local buses within minutes of the venue include 3, 59, 133, 155, 159, 196, 333, and 415. Oval Underground station is 8 minutes walking away while Kennington Underground station is 10 minutes walking. Vauxhall station is 14 minutes walking from the venue, or a short bus ride. *Queer Open Mic is a free entry event and you can support the event and the venue by purchasing drinks at the bar. Absolutely no outside drinks are permitted.*

📚 Reading of Colour – Book Club Meetup Join us for this month’s Reading of Colour, a book club dedicated to exploring stories from different cultures and celebrating the diversity of voices in literature. Each month we read a book by an author from a different background and come together to share perspectives, insights, and thoughtful discussion. This month we will be reading The Enlightenment of the Greengage tree by Shokoofeh Azar is a magical realist novel about a family fleeing persecution after the Iranian Revolution and trying to rebuild their lives in a remote Iranian village, narrated by the ghost of a young girl. Whether you’ve finished the book or are still making your way through it, everyone is welcome to join the conversation. Come along to share your thoughts, hear new perspectives, and enjoy a friendly discussion with fellow readers. 📖 All are welcome—bring your curiosity and love of books!📕 We will be having drinks afterwards at a near by pub, come along 🌸

Der verzweifelte Kampf um Integration Aus der Rückschau des Jahres 1959 erzählt Pilenz vom bewunderten und verachteten Klassenkameraden Mahlke im Danzig der Kriegszeit, den sein übergroßer Adamsapfel zum Außenseiter macht. Mahlke führt einen verzweifelten Kampf um seine Integration, um die Schließung des existentiellen Risses zwischen »Katz« und »Maus«, und wird doch im Sieg endgültig scheitern. Auch das Ritterkreuz, von dem er sich - Perversion der Zeit gemäß - Erlösung durch Bedeckung seiner Blöße erhofft, verhilft ihm nicht zum Frieden mit der Welt. »Die große Danzig-Saga, als deren zweites, aber gewiß nicht letztes Stück ›Katz und Maus‹ sich darstellt, ist eine Suche nach dem verlorenen Raum. Unerreichbar und unerschöpflich, doch deutlich wie Vineta in der Flut, liegt Danzig auf dem Grund dieser Prosa da.« Hans Magnus Enzensberger

You're very welcome to a free meetup at Central Station this Friday. We normally sit chatting, drinking and/or having a bite to eat in our private space upstairs, before drifting down into the main bar later in the evening. It's a great way to meet new people and have some chilled chats and laughs. All LGBTQ+ people and their allies are welcome. Everybody is equally welcome! Don't worry if you've not come to an event before: the host will introduce you to everyone and make sure you feel welcomed and included. Please RSVP if you are attending. Your RSVP encourages others to attend. Their RSVP...etc etc please join the WhatsApp group for all our events, when you arrive please ask for the host, me Kwashie, and say hi...even if I'm chatting to someone... I can introduce you to some cool people, or newbies etc. ________________________________ We ask that new members that enjoy our events to make a voluntary donation which helps keep the group events running for free. To send a donations please use the reference "Donation" to the following account Mark Geer 03450947 04-00-04 Whatsapp invite which we use for events - https://chat.whatsapp.com/HOKXRrCEnFwFawuQYDbNFO?mode=ac_t Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lgbtqlondon?igsh=MWJpN2c0c3ZxNnV1cw==

Join us for our April Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Stop Me if You've Heard This One](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/stopmeifyouveheardthisone)* by [Kristen Arnett](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/about) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

Join us for our May Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Cantoras](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)*[ ](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)by [Caro de Robertis](https://caroderobertis.com/bio/) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

**We are expanding our creative programming opportunities with Queer Quills, a quiet writing and sharing space. Queer Quills features some prompts, supplies and friendly faces to help get some inspiration or feedback for your writing. Hope to see you there!**

Welcome, readers! Our April read is **_Martyr!_ by Kaveh Akbar.** The story follows a young Iranian American poet grappling with grief, addiction, and the aching question of what makes a life meaningful. Drawn into an unexpected friendship with a terminally ill artist, he begins to confront faith, love, and the seduction of self-destruction. Lyrical, darkly funny, and emotionally piercing, the novel wrestles with beauty and despair in equal measure. It’s a story about longing—to be seen, to be forgiven, and to matter. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.

Posting this early because seemingly all Sundays in May are holidays or busy! I picked a shorter thriller that's hopefully a fast read/listen. [Columbus library link to book](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3458940) Location: Grandview Cafe, *1455 W. 3rd Ave*, Columbus, OH 43212 [Menu](https://www.grandviewcafe.com/menu) Book summary: Daniel leads a rich life in the university town of Athens, Georgia. He's got a couple close friends, a steady paycheck working for a regional airline, and of course, for a few glorious days each Fall, college football tailgates. He considers himself to be a mostly lucky guy -- despite the fact that he's suffered from a debilitating disease since he was a small child, one that has left him unable to speak or to move without a wheelchair. Largely confined to his home, Daniel spends the hours he's not online communicating with irate air travelers observing his neighborhood from his front porch. One young woman passes by so frequently that spotting her out the window has almost become part of his daily routine. Until the day he's almost sure he sees her being kidnapped.