Queer Books

Hybrid registration links at https://greatcareers.org/events-calendar/career-success-group-job-seeker-accountability-networking-26/ The Career Success Group is a networking meeting held on the 2nd Monday and a hybrid meeting 4th Thursday of each month from 9:30-10:30 AM ET with [Kevin Keene](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinekeene/). Join us if you are looking for a new opportunity, to grow your career, or if you are in a job transition. 1. Practice your elevator pitch in a safe space 2. Check-in for accountability 3. Set goals for your job search for the week 4. Meet others to build your LinkedIn network 5. Learn about upcoming events 6. Ask questions **CHAPTER LEADER** [Kevin Keene](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinekeene/) kekeene@comcast.net

## 🧠🎉 Trivia Night @ The Frog: A Firkin Pub 🍻 **Think fast, laugh hard, and make new friends!** We’ll be meeting at **The Frog: A Firkin Pub**, conveniently located just steps from **Yonge–Sheppard Station** — cozy - great food and fun! ### 🕖 About the Event Trivia starts at **7:00 PM** and runs until around **9:30 P**M— just **ask for Colleen’s group** when you arrive! Expect a lively mix of **pop culture, history, music, sports, and random fun question.** Whether you come solo or bring a friend, we’ll make sure everyone’s part of a team. 🧩💬 ### 💸 Cost & Policy Everyone must spend at least **$10 (plus tax & tip)** at the pub. **NEW POLICY:** * 🆕 *First-timers* must send a **$5 deposit** by e-transfer to **tommills@rogers.com** and message Colleen right away on this page or the sign-up page. you'll be refunded in cashif/when you show up. * 💌 There will be a **$1 reminder charge** if you don’t send the deposit promptly, for each reminder. * 👥 You may bring **1 guest**, but please e-transfer **$10** in advance. You’ll be refunded once your guest arrives. ### 🧠 Why You’ll Love It Trivia night isn’t just about questions — it’s about **connection, laughter, and teamwork**. Come test your wits, cheer on your tablemates, and enjoy the buzz of a pub full of friendly faces. Whether you’re a trivia pro or just in it for the fun, it’s always a great time! 📱 **Don’t forget to join our WhatsApp group** – [CLICK HERE!](https://chat.whatsapp.com/H59mSCbsAi018gYANrKAnc?mode=ac_t) ### ⚠️ Notes * Please don’t just “show up” without RSVPing — seating is limited, and teams need to be balanced. * Occasionally, the organizer may need to rearrange teams if one is *too stacked* (e.g., all the sports or music experts together!). * Sometimes things happen — events can be canceled or adjusted, so keep an eye out for updates. 📩 **Questions?** Contact **Colleen**, your organizer, by posting on the event page.

**🎨 Everyday — The Art of Cristy Q** Join us at **RAID Studio** on **March 26th from 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM** for ***Everyday***, an exhibition by Toronto-based illustrator **Cristy Q**. ### 🖼️ About the Exhibit Using bright palettes and clean shapes, Cristy captures ordinary moments with a mix of playfulness and honesty. Her illustrations celebrate the charm of the ordinary and the beauty in things often overlooked — a reminder that simplicity can be full of character, and that the everyday can be surprisingly funny. ### 👩‍🎨 About the Artist Cristy Q is a Toronto-based illustrator who finds humour in the everyday. Her work transforms simple subjects — people, food, hands, and the small objects that fill daily life — into bold, colourful scenes that feel both familiar and a little absurd. Join us for an evening of **art, conversation, and community**. 🍷 **Refreshments** 🍴 **Food** 🎶 **Music** Come by, meet the artist, and celebrate the opening with us! ✨ Our event is proudly sponsored by **BareBones Bartending** 🍸✨ Huge thanks to them for helping bring this night to life 👉 **Follow us on Eventbrite to stay updated on upcoming events, exhibitions, and special offers: https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/raid-gallery-cafe-120092094051**

(English below) Venez profiter de la bonne nourriture et d'une bonne conversation en français au café **Black Pony** situé au **1481 Gerrard St East.** Nous serons à l'arrière du café autour d'une grande table, prêts à vous accueillir! On va pratiquer la langue de Molière tout en nous faisant de nouveaux amis(es). **Toutes les 30 minutes, nous changerons de place** pour favoriser les échanges. Tout le monde est bienvenu, quel que soit son niveau. Pour en savoir plus sur le café et son menu délicieux et varié : [https://www.blogto.com/restaurants/black-pony-toronto/](https://www.blogto.com/restaurants/black-pony-toronto/) Si vous ne souhaitez pas que votre photo soit publiée sur MeetUp, veuillez en informer Jesse. **Pourquoi ces frais de 3$?** C'est pour payer le coût de l'hébergement sur la plate-forme Meetup pour l’année courante et des années précédentes. Nous vous demandons de payer $3.00 à chaque événement. Jesse sera là pour recueillir vos contributions. Nous vous prions de bien vouloir apporter de la monnaie. Si vous préférez, vous pouvez utiliser ce lien pour payer sur Square **et montrer a Jesse votre recu:** [CLIQUER ICI](https://square.link/u/S6dAAKd1) Merci, **Jesse** .................................................................................................................. Come and enjoy good food and good conversation at the **Black Pony café** located at **1481 Gerrard St East.** We'll be in the back of the café around a big table, ready to welcome you! We'll be practicing the French language and making friends, **keeping in mind that every 45 minutes we'll be moving around to mix up the conversation.** Everyone is welcome, whatever your level. To find out more about the cafe and its delicious and varied menu: https://www.blogto.com/restaurants/black-pony-toronto/ If you don't want your photo published on MeetUp, please let Jesse know. Why the $3 fee? It helps cover the cost of hosting the group on the Meetup platform for the current year and previous years. We ask participants to contribute **$3.00 at each event**. Jesse will be there to collect contributions, so please bring change. If you prefer, you can use this Square link and **show Jesse your receipt:** [CLICK HERE](https://square.link/u/S6dAAKd1) Thank you, Jesse

For March, we'll read A Room with a View by E.M. Forster 240 pages First published in 1908 This Edwardian social comedy explores love and prim propriety among an eccentric cast of characters assembled in an Italian pensione and in a corner of Surrey, England. A charming young English woman, Lucy Honeychurch, faints into the arms of a fellow Britisher when she witnesses a murder in a Florentine piazza. Attracted to this man, George Emerson, who is entirely unsuitable and whose father just may be a Socialist. Lucy is soon at war with the snobbery of her class and her own conflicting desires. Back in England she is courted by a more acceptable, if stifling, suitor, and soon realizes she must make a startling decision that will decide the course of her future: she is forced to choose between convention and passion. The enduring delight of this tale of romantic intrigue is rooted in Forster's colorful characters, including outrageous spinsters, pompous clergymen and outspoken patriots.

Trois femmes, trois vies, trois continents. Une même soif de liberté. Inde. Smita est une Intouchable. Elle rêve de voir sa fille échapper à sa condition misérable et entrer à l’école. Sicile. Giulia travaille dans l’atelier de son père. Lorsqu’il est victime d’un accident, elle découvre que l’entreprise familiale est ruinée. Canada. Sarah, avocate réputée, va être promue à la tête de son cabinet quand elle apprend qu’elle est gravement malade. Liées sans le savoir par ce qu’elles ont de plus intime et de plus singulier, Smita, Giulia et Sarah refusent le sort qui leur est destiné et décident de se battre. Vibrantes d’humanité, leurs histoires tissent une tresse d’espoir et de solidarité.

**Bring your own nonfiction book and join us for a gentle reading gathering in Oakville.** For over a year, this circle has quietly met in our community. In 2026, we opened it through Meetup and warmly welcomed many new members. Here, we practice love by listening without judgment. Through nonfiction, we explore real life, exchange perspectives, and enjoy meaningful conversation. No assigned readings. No pressure. Just bring the nonfiction book you’re currently reading and share what stayed with you. In an AI-driven world, we believe real human connection matters more than ever. If you value thoughtful dialogue and authentic community, you are warmly invited. **RSVP kindly requested.** *** **When?** Friday, March 27, 2026 **Time?** 1 PM – 2:30 PM EST **Where?** Oak Cafe Gallery 77 Lakeshore Rd W, Oakville

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.

This Month's Book: *On A Sunbeam* by Tillie Walden Join us for discussion at the Granville Public Library from 6 to 7pm. Follow us on Instagram: @granvillepridebookclub

**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!**

Join WQC for our monthly Queer Birding outing at Shale Hollow Park! No gear or experience necessary. March 29 from 9-10:30 a.m. (Location/event may change if weather does not cooperate.) Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeOAdQlIaKro1dFCgfp26IcwsaxQjzbYMZVQ7mLg3dViQDrsQ/viewform

**Our April novel is: *The Hong Kong Widow* by Kristen Loesch** **This month’s novel blends gothic atmosphere with historical fiction and chilling horror, set against the haunting backdrop of China. The book is 368 pages in print and 10 hours and 42 minutes on audiobook.** In 1950s Hong Kong, Mei is a young refugee of the Chinese Communist revolution struggling to put her past in Shanghai behind her. When she receives a shocking invitation—to take part in a competition in one of the city's most notorious haunted houses, pitting six spirit mediums against one another in a series of six séances over six nights, until a single winner emerges—she has every reason to refuse. Except that the hostess, a former Shanghainese silent film star, is none other than the wife of the man who once destroyed Mei’s entire life. It is promised the winner will receive a fortune, but there is only one prize Mei wants: revenge. Decades later, the final night of that competition has become an infamous urban legend: The police were called to the scene of a brutal massacre but found no evidence, dismissing it as a collective hallucination. Mei knows what she saw, but now someone else is convinced they know what she did. She must uncover the truth about the last night she ever spent in that house—even if the ghosts of her past are waiting for her there. . . .