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Quill Scotland
@quill.scot
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Championing the LGBTQ+ Community in the Scottish Literary Scene

https://www.quill.scot/
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quill.scot
Our final reader introduction! Sarah Heitler joins us tomorrow for #tdor.

Join us to commemorate - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres...
Sarah Heitler - #TDOR Readings Evening Sarah Heitler is a Glasgow based performance poet and award winning flashfiction writer. Her work is slowly gaining recognition in the Scottish queer poetry scene and her poem "Lazarus" was recently accepted for publication in the upcoming Trans Poetica anthology. Sarah's poetry is unashamedly vulnerable, queer and open, and she deeply loves performing her work.
November 22, 2025 at 1:57 PM
quill.scot
AW Earl joins us for their QUILL debut this Sunday.

Join us tomorrow - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres...
AW Earl - #TDOR Readings Evening A W Earl is a non-binary writer and storyteller whose work is concerned with gender, deviant bodies, and folklore. They studied English Literature and Creative writing at the University of East Anglia, and have performed their own work and traditional folktales across the UK. Their poetry has been published in various venues, and was recently shortlisted in Renard Press’ Interwoven competition, while their non-fiction has appeared in Lighthouse Journal and a collection by Watkins Press. Their debut novel was published in 2018.
November 22, 2025 at 9:58 AM
quill.scot
Welcoming back the fantastic to our line up of readers on Sunday!

Join us @argonautbooks.bsky.social on Sunday evening for our commemoration of #tdor

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres...
Jude Firesong #tdor readings evening Jude FireSong – aka Fabulous Phoenix Boy – is a Scottish-by-inclination, non-binary trans, polyamorous queer man and a neurodivergent, mad, disabled survivor. His work explores intersections of identity; love, loss; social alienation, community, found family; storytelling as identity, vocation, and catharsis. Jude’s work has appeared in issue 3 of new words and the Level Centre’s Public Open Exhibition 2024; more is forthcoming in rainy weather days, Hush LGBTQ+ Magazine, and Untold Stories (Bedlam Theatre, April ’25). His hybrid collection Made of Magic – poetry of rage & (be)longing was long-listed in nw{p}’s Chapbook Competition ’24; Jude later brought it to the Edinburgh Fringe as a solo poetry show/art exhibition. Billed performance history includes: Shrub Coop’s Queer Cabaret (Fringe ’23), LGBT Health & Wellbeing’s Pride Breakfast and Winter Celebration ’24, Push the Boat Out ’24, Loud Poets x Stanza Festival Slam Poetry Heat ’25.
November 21, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Reposted by Quill Scotland
pegasusunder.bsky.social
We saw a brilliant film adaptation of Albert Camus' L'ETRANGER (THE STRANGER) ... it was a haunting viewing experience!

Watch/listen to our short review!

SHOUT OUT to the French Film Festival, HAPPENING NOW! CHECK IT OUT!
Me and Lindz looking thoughtfully to the left, me black woman, Lindz with blonde hair and white skin, L'Etranger poster with white man Meaursalt looking up, lettering in red
November 19, 2025 at 9:14 AM
quill.scot
Welcome to the incredible Titilayo Farukuoye!

We are so excited to hear them and their wonderful words this Sunday 💖

Get your tickets before they go!

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres...
Titlayo Farukyoye #TDOR Readings Evening Titilayo Farukuoye (they/them) is a writer, educator and organiser based in Glasgow. Their work addresses social justice and community care and is informed by rights and cultural leaders like Assata Shakur, Oyèrónkẹ́ Oyěwùmí and Paulo Freire. Titilayo invites us to dream and use our radical imagination to seek more just realities. Titilayo co-directs the Scottish BPOC Writers Network and is a winner of the 2022 Edwin Morgan Poetry Award. Their poetry pamphlet In Wolf’s Skin is available with Stewed Rhubarb Press and Titilayo’s non-fiction book But We Did: Dismantling colonialist myths towards collective liberation is forthcoming.
November 20, 2025 at 12:06 AM
quill.scot
Welcoming back @ambulancebox.bsky.social for our #tdor readings evening @argonautbooks.bsky.social this Sunday!
Amy Jo Philip #tdor Readings Evening Amy Jo Philip is the first out transgender priest in the Scottish Episcopal Church. Prior to transitioning, she published two pamphlets with HappenStance press and two full collections with Salt Publishing under her deadname. She is working on a third collection, to be published by Blue Diode Press in 2026. Her work was featured in ‘Side A/Side B’, February 2025’s issue of @badlilies, a digital journal of poetry. You can read ‘Knackered Babes’ at www.badlilies.uk. Amy Jo’s work has appeared in a number of magazines including Irish Pages, Gutter, Magma, Eemis Stane, and the final edition of Dreich. It has also been included in a number of anthologies, most recently ‘Scottish Religious Poetry: From the Sixth Century to the Present’ (St Andrew’s Press, 2024) and ‘10 Poets Defend their Cities Against Giant, Strange Beasts’ (Sidekick Books, 2024).
November 17, 2025 at 9:45 PM
quill.scot
Returning for a second QUILL event this year it's Sol Vardi!

Join us @argonautbooks.bsky.social next week - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres...
Sol Vardi - TDOR readings evening Sol is a writer and spoken word poet who explored queer and immigrant experiences. Their poetry weaves political issues, humour, and queer joy alongside everyday experiences of life in their acquired home of Edinburgh.
November 16, 2025 at 2:38 PM
quill.scot
Our host for our Trans Day of Remembrance event next Sunday @argonautbooks.bsky.social is JJ Fadaka!
JJ Fadaka profile photo Jj Fadaka is a writer, facilitator, and radical based in Edinburgh. Their work explores the possibility of abolition, feminism, and love to create change.
November 15, 2025 at 6:32 PM
quill.scot
Join us @argonautbooks.bsky.social next weekend to commemorate trans day of remembrance with a lineup of fantastic trans and non-binary readers from across Scotland.

#trans #transrights #scottish #scotland #tdor
Trans day of remembrance readings evening, join us for a cosy evening of powerful readings to mark trans day of remembrance, Sunday 23rd November 2025, 7-9pm at Argonaut Books, 15-17 Leith Walk, Edinburgh Readers - Titilayo Farukuoye, Amy Jo Philip, Sarah Heitler, Robyn O'Donnell, Sol Vardi, AW Earl, Lucille Wright, Jude Firesong
November 14, 2025 at 9:19 AM
quill.scot
Join us on November 23rd at @argonautbooks.bsky.social to commemorate Trans Day of Remembrance - Our third QUILL readings event of the year!

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres...
QUILL Presents - Trans Day of Remembrance Readings Evening
Join us for an evening of powerful readings commemorating Trans Day of Remembrance
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 12:11 AM
quill.scot
Our next event is live!

Grab tickets to our Trans Day of Remembrance event Sunday 23rd November at @argonautbooks.bsky.social !

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quill-pres...
QUILL Presents - Trans Day of Remembrance Readings Evening
Join us for an evening of powerful readings commemorating Trans Day of Remembrance
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 5:25 PM
quill.scot
This continued escalation should show the anti-trans movement for what it is - never interested in free speech, always focused on the intimidation and silencing of trans people and anyone who dares stand up for them.

All opposition must be legally threatened until they wheesht.
pickwick.bsky.social pickwick @pickwick.bsky.social · Oct 18
It's really tempting for public service organisations to apologise to right-wing and anti-woke complainants to try and placate them, especially if they're high profile, but you should never do that because they'll just escalate and escalate and escalate.

www.heraldscotland.com/news/2555212...
Disciplinary action 'must be taken by National Library' in gender book ban
The National Library of Scotland has been told it must consider disciplinary action after a review found 'threatening' conduct led to a gender…
www.heraldscotland.com
October 18, 2025 at 9:33 AM
quill.scot
"While oceans of ink paint trans women as a monstrous threat or pitiable curiosity, trans women themselves have often remained locked out of the publishing world as both writers and presumptive readers — spoken of but not to."

www.theverge.com/cs/features/...
Trans women are building their own publishing world, and it’s under threat
Online communities are stepping in where traditional publishing stops.
www.theverge.com
October 18, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Reposted by Quill Scotland
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
Our Community Market, Joy for All, is this Saturday! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Our Artist Highlight for today is Rowantree Makes! They make makes cosy knits and cheerful jewellery from upcycled materials, including button pins, Pride flag knits, and all the pendants and earrings you can eat (please do not eat) 💪
Graphic with an orange background. At the top is a rainbow banner which says "Joy for All" "LGBTQIA+ Autumn Makers Market & Community Space! 11/10/25 - Norton Park Conference Centre". On the left is a picture of colourful handmade earrings on a stand, next to some crocheted hats and scarves. On the right it says "Artist Highlight: Rowantree makes" "Rowan makes cosy knits and cheerful jewellery from upcycled materials, including button pins, Pride flag knits, and all the pendants and earrings you can eat (please do not eat)" Graphic with an orange background. At the top is a rainbow banner which says "Joy for All". Below it says "LGBTQIA+ Autumn Makers Market! Join us for stalls from local artists and community organisations, crafting activities and making change! Sat 11th October 11am-4pm Norton Park Conference Centre Edinburgh EH7 5QY". On the left is a drawing of three pumpkins, one is short and pink, one is tall, curved and white and the other is tall and blue with a carved smiling face.
October 6, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Reposted by Quill Scotland
angusrobertson.bsky.social
The BBC should join the growing number of broadcasters to boycott Eurovision if Israel is involved. The UK should not take part in Eurovision Song Contest as genocide continues in Gaza. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Netherlands ready to join Eurovision boycott over Israel
The Netherlands follows Ireland in saying it can "no longer justify Israel's inclusion" in the event.
www.bbc.com
September 13, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Reposted by Quill Scotland
wearequeeraf.com
Polari Prize saga shows us how the Overton window on Trans+ rights has shifted 👇

https://www.wearequeeraf.com/polari-prize-saga-shows-us-how-the-overton-window-on-trans-rights-has-shifted/
Polari Prize saga shows us how the Overton window on Trans+ rights has shifted
The Overton window on what is acceptable to say has shifted dramatically in recent years, especially when it pertains to Trans+ rights
www.wearequeeraf.com
September 11, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Reposted by Quill Scotland
msjayteer.bsky.social
This is a link to the contact form if anyone wants to make a complaint

auth.nls.uk/contact/feed...
September 5, 2025 at 11:58 AM
quill.scot
The National Library become the latest of our literary institutions to surrender wholesale to anti-trans campaigners.

"We will always be inclusive, and we will always welcome everyone to the library."

This, unfortunately, simply is not true as they promote bigotry.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
National library of Scotland in U-turn over gender-critical book
'The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht' is a collection of essays on women's rights campaigning in Scotland
www.bbc.co.uk
September 5, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Reposted by Quill Scotland
scottishtrans.bsky.social
Today, along with over 80 partner organisations, we are writing to MPs across the UK calling for robust Parliamentary scrutiny of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) forthcoming Code of Practice. Read the full statement on our website:

www.scottishtrans.org/scottish-tra...
Today, along with over 80 partner organisations, we are writing to MPs across the UK, calling for robust Parliamentary scrutiny of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) forthcoming Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations. "Any change to law or policy that risks the human rights of any group should be subject to full Parliamentary oversight. ... Anything less would represent a serious failure of parliamentary duty." What can you do? Write to your MP! Together, we have created a template letter that you can use to express your personal concerns and asking them to push for proper scrutiny of the Code. It is incredibly important that MPs hear from their constituents that are directly affected, so they can advocate on your behalf. Please personalise your letter as much as you can - it helps to ensure that your concerns are heard and felt. Link to the template on our website!
September 1, 2025 at 1:34 PM
quill.scot
Introducing Jommo Calley who will be reading their work for those lucky enough to be coming to our QUEER Riot literary cabaret event in just 4 days! 🤯 See you on Sun 24 @lighthousebks.bsky.social

Jommo is a Malawian/Scottish poet exploring the intersectionality of identity, inequality & injustice.
August 20, 2025 at 11:01 AM
quill.scot
Grab a pal and come along to our Queer RIOT event @lighthousebks.bsky.social this Sun 24 Aug, 1pm, to hear Nyla Noor read their work!🌈

Nyla is a queer South Asian artist weaving storytelling, poetry, and visual arts into deep explorations of queerness, intergenerational trauma, and radical healing.
August 20, 2025 at 7:00 AM
quill.scot
Sol Vardi is reading at our Queer RIOT event happening this Sun 24 Aug, 1pm @lighthousebks.bsky.social!

Sol is a writer & spoken word poet who explores queer & immigrant experiences. Their poetry weaves political issues, humour & queer joy, alongside everyday experiences of life in Edinburgh.
August 19, 2025 at 7:38 PM
quill.scot
With this debacle finally over let us hope that this is a lesson to all who seek to represent our community - we will not accept those who would divide us and assault our rights to be rewarded on our behalf.

Solidarity means something. Solidarity delivered. Thank you to all who took a stand.
Polari is part of the LGBTQ+ writing and reading community and for fifteen years, trans, gender non-conforming and non-binary people have been part of that community - at our events, on our judging panels, on our long and short lists and among our prize winners. This commitment to inclusion remains unchanged. Polari is not and has never been a trans exclusionary organisation. These are not our values and we condemn all forms of transphobia. What was supposed to be a celebration of exceptional LGBTQ+ literature has been overshadowed by hurt and anger, which has been painful and distressing for all concerned and we apologize to everyone who has been affected. Many discussions have been undertaken over the last two weeks -with authors, judges, stakeholders, and funders - about the impacts and ramifications of the longlisting of John Boyne's novel and how we can learn from this experience and move forwards. We have decided as a result to pause the prize this year while we increase representation of trans and gender non-conforming judges on the panels for all the awards and undertake a governance and management review to include our aims and values and work to better support everyone within our LGBTQ+ Polari community. We have already secured strong representation for next year, which we will build on. We will also explore discussions about the tensions between the claims of freedom of expression and the need to create inclusive and supportive spaces in a world hostile to our trans community members and our community at large. We extend our heartfelt apologies to everyone affected this year, for the disappointment and despair this has caused. We acknowledge the ongoing support of the Polari community, everyone we have consulted, and our hugely supportive partners. We are a tiny operation that has run on goodwill and small pots of funding and sponsorship for 15 years and will endeavour to find a way forwards in good faith. Alt in first picture Alt in first picture
August 18, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Reposted by Quill Scotland
jaseokundaye.bsky.social
I wrote about the decision myself and other authors took to withdraw from the longlist of the Polari Book Prizes for LGBTQ+ writers www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Why I withdrew my book from an LGBTQ+ literary prize | Jason Okundaye
The Polari first book prize claims to promote trans rights and trans voices. But when I saw the longlist, I had to act, says Guardian writer Jason Okundaye
www.theguardian.com
August 15, 2025 at 3:49 PM
quill.scot
"It was not a difficult or painful decision – I felt misled about the principles underpinning the organisation and I no longer cared to be awarded by it."

"The swell of public support is behind those who are supportive of the entire LGBTQ+ community."

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Why I withdrew my book from an LGBTQ+ literary prize | Jason Okundaye
The Polari first book prize claims to promote trans rights and trans voices. But when I saw the longlist, I had to act, says Guardian writer Jason Okundaye
www.theguardian.com
August 15, 2025 at 9:28 PM