The Portal Bookshop

This is a long shot, but if you got on the number 6 bus at Asda, Layerthorpe tonight (10/04/2024), at around 9ish and sat next to me, and asked about the non binary bat badge on my bag, then I had to get off at my stop before saying more than "Etsy", on the off chance you look on here (which is more likely than you just coming across my personal social media) and see this post, I got it from this shop. Enjoy, Mal.

PearlesquedCreations - Etsy UK Shop Bringing you the cute, the colourful, and the q***r! by PearlesquedCreations located in Montreal, Canada. Rave reviews! Average review rating is 4.8 or higher

Hi fellow Aces, its Mal, and today I'm asking: what is something you want the allos to know about being asexual? What misconceptions do you want to clear up? It's International Asexuality Day, so let us know what you wish people understood.

For me, it's that a lack of attraction doesn't mean a lack of love.

Download your lgbt history month events programme. Hope we see you over the next 29 days... yup, its a leap year, in case you hadn't noticed yet...

the-portal-bookshop.square.site

Fully-Loaded is proud to present our exciting next show……Metamorphosis

Crawl like the strange moth creature you are to The Fulford Arms on the 19th January from 7:30pm for a night of q***r transformation

Emerge from your winter cocoon, flex your new spine and wings and come fly with us …..its sure to be intoxicating

The night will be all about celebrating your wonderful q***r self and self-acceptance, with drag performances focussed on gender, love, sexuality and self-transformation.

Event info:
Where? The Fulford Arms, York
When? Doors from 7:30 (for an 8pm start)
How much? £6 (tickets are available on the door IF the show does not sell out – but buy them ahead of time to be safe 😊)
Who? Anyone! Everyone is welcome to our shows, whether you’re q***r or an ally. All we ask is that all attendees adhere to the event policy below …….
Access Info and Event Policy:
The Fulford Arms is an inclusive, accessible venue. If you require wheelchair access this will be arranged for the night

Haus Of Lynx

So, this is a thing that happened, what an amazing afternoon, to be honest, Carys B Photography says it all. M.

Hi all, this is a request for people who were at the trans rights protest yesterday (Saturday 14th). I handed out some signs for people to hold, and asked for them to be returned to the front at the end so I could return them to the bookshop, and a couple have not come back. The only one I can specifically recall the wording of said "protect trans kids" in big colourful letters, but there were one or two others too. I'm sure it's just a mistake, and no-one intended to take them away, just forgot to pass them back. However, if you were handed a sign by me at the beginning, and still have it, I'd really appreciate if you could drop it back at the shop at your earliest convenience.

Thanks, Mal.

PROTEST FOR TRANS RIGHTS!

Join us at St Helen's Square, York on the 14th of October for a trans rights demonstration, from 3pm to 5pm.

The social and political climate for transgender people in the UK is abysmal, it's high time that we show our grief in numbers - together as a community, we will stand to show that trans rights are human rights!

What we will be protesting:

- Recent and historic claims made by people in government and media, upholding a transphobic state that threatens the already low quality of life primarily for non-cis people.

- The spread of misinformation and fear-mongering ensured by the government and endured by the most vulnerable of social groups - such as trans youth and migratised people.

- The privatisation and mismanagement of the NHS, fuelling deadly wait times, abysmal mental health rates, and funding cuts to essential transgender services, on which many lives depend.
- The government’s general, aggressive refusal to acknowledge the hardships faced by trans and marginalised persons on a day to day basis.

- Dangerous, hate-stirring rhetoric used by the PM in recent Conservative Party conference speeches that only serve to increase violence and vitriol towards already oppressed, vulnerable communities, and that cannot be ignored.

Protest Tips:

- Bring signs, placards, flags, water, food, and friends. Don't come alone if you can help it.

- We will have a number of stewards in hi-vis jackets who will be there to promote safety and wellbeing through the demonstration, and are your points of contact if you need them.

- Do not bring signs with expletives! Police have been threatening arrests at recent protests for signs they deem inappropriate.

- Don't talk to cops! We will be handing out bust cards in case of arrests or issues that may arise with the police. Speak to a steward to receive one. If police or a stranger attempt to talk to you about the protest, say ‘no comment’ and walk towards a steward.

- Write an emergency contact number on your arm in case of arrest, and bring a spare change of (nondescript) clothes. Wear plain clothes at the protest.

- Tell someone you're attending beforehand, and when you should be expected back.

- Make sure your phone is charged or bring a portable charger.

- This is a static demonstration, so please arrive and leave quietly. Stewards will remain behind after the protest to make sure everyone gets home, to their bus stop or the train station, safely.

There will be a small poetry open mic (trans/non-binary performers only) and speeches (allies may come to speak, but please consider the space and your topic). Sign up for either at the protest with Crow (pink hi-vis, clipboard) or by commenting on this post. Space is limited and will be on a first-come basis.

Allies are encouraged to attend to give solidarity in numbers and care.

St Helen's Square is around 15 minutes walk from the train station, between Betty's, the Mansion House and Impossible Bar. Look for stewards in hi-vis. There are toilets in cafes around the square, and a McDonald's 1 minute down the street.

Sign the petition to call for an immediate General Election’ here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/641904

Young writers workshop!!!

Author Lizzie Huxley Jones explores stories and fantasy worlds.

Thursday 17th August 2-3pm

All welcome, ideal for ages 8 to 88 ( or higher if you're older than that)

Tickets available FoC. Tickets still available, it'll be fun, bring your aspiring young authors.

Location: 5 Patrick Pool, York, YO1 8BB

Workshop with Author Lizzie Huxley-Jones Workshop for young readers from author Lizzie Huxley-Jones

Restocked mini flags and found a whole bunch of new ones! Genderfluid, gay men, omnisexual, agender, aromantic, demisexual and more, now is your chance!

Okay! Seizing this little patch of more normal weather to try and fix the cafe temperature issues. Whip round for air con/heating?

Got optional rewards for anyone who contributes, one free drink or a £5 book token for anyone who donates a fiver or more!

Install air con (and heating) for OTR cafe!, organized by Lali Hewitson Regular visitors (and staff) at Over The Rainbow cafe in York over the last… Lali Hewitson needs your support for Install air con (and heating) for OTR cafe!

We're all set up and ready to go. See you all soon! HAPPY PRIDE!!

York voICeS - LGBTQ+ health
Wednesday 21 June, 1pm-3pm, Main Hall, Priory Street Centre

Interested in LGBTQ+ health? Want to share your experiences? Join Healthwatch York for the next York voICeS meeting where the team will explore what's going on locally and nationally. It's an opportunity for your voice to help direct our research and conversations with health providers.

York voICeS - LGBTQ+ health Opportunity to share your thoughts and experiences on LGBTQ+ health. We will also update you on what's going on nationally and locally.

https://twitter.com/_RachelHandley/status/1655274503168032768?t=Rdf7nKNWGjtMQrgee08xlQ&s=19

Rachel Handley 🏳️‍🌈 on Twitter “💫 Possible Worlds and Other Stories Reading 💫 6th June, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm at the fabulous in York. Come along for some weird fiction, a bit of philosophy, & excellent writerly chats! All welcome! The event is free & no booking is needed. RTs are appreciated!”

Event for ages 14-25, location tbc.

Monday 20 February: Rethinking trans history
12 noon -1.30pm, PL/005 and online.

Join writer and historian Kit Heyam to discuss their latest book Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender - a global history of gender nonconformity and a call for new approaches to trans history. Kit will read from the book and talk about the ideas that inspired it, as well as sharing stories of trans history from across the world. From York to Angola, Before We Were Trans shows us that people have always been doing fascinating, creative, messy things with gender, and inspires new ways to think about our past.

Rethinking trans history Monday 20th February, 12.00-13.30, P/L/005 Lecture Room (Physics Exhibition Centre) and via zoom About this event This University of York LGBT+ History Month 2023 event, entitled Rethinking trans history, invites you to join writer and historian Kit Heyam to discuss their latest book Before We Were....

Protest in york on Sunday

Protest in Leeds on Saturday

This is amazing, beautiful, upsetting in places, and you can add to it.

Queering The Map Queering the Map is a community generated counter-mapping platform for digitally archiving LGBTQ2IA+ experience in relation to physical space.

Announcement on twitter regarding reopening after our Christmas/new year break. Sorry for any inconvenience.

The Portal Bookshop on Twitter “We were meant to reopen on Thursday... but plague has finally caught me, and half the team is down with something or other (hopefully I'm the only one with Covid, and I'm pretty okay, don't worry) So uh. We'll keep you posted? Be back as soon as we can”

Join us for Queermas on the 23rd, we're open late, and would love you to join us for mulled drinks, food and festive fun.

Queermas at the cafe Join us at Over the Rainbow Cafe and Portal Bookshop for an lgbtq+ friendly festive alternative!

We had so much fun at our Halloween board games we thought we'd go around again, and get festive!

Sunday 18th December, 6-9pm, upstairs and downstairs shenanigans available!

Over The Rainbow Festive Boardgames! Join us in Over the Rainbow Cafe and Portal Bookshop for a gay night of festive winter games!

Opening times over Christmas

Normal hours until 23rd, except late closing on Fri 16th and 23rd, when we're open until 8pm.

Late night opening on 23rd, when there's is also a q***r Christmas gathering/meal (see separate post)

Then we're closed 24th Dec - 4th January, yes Lali is actually taking time off 😲

Back to normal from 5th January.