Quill Scotland

@quill.scot

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Championing the LGBTQ+ Community in the Scottish Literary Scene https://www.quill.scot/

Our lineup of readers from the TDOR event taken by @meganboothwriting
Sarah Heitler - #TDOR Readings Evening
AW Earl - #TDOR Readings Evening
Jude Firesong #tdor readings evening
Titlayo Farukyoye #TDOR Readings Evening
Amy Jo Philip #tdor Readings Evening
Sol Vardi - TDOR readings evening
JJ Fadaka profile photo
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
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.
Mon 11th Aug, 4-6pm at @sebsurbanjungle #JudeFireSong, aka #FabulousPhoenixBoy presents: #CabaretForACause - a #performance #fundraiser in support of The @charlieandcarterfoundation & @prideactionnorth buy tickets at linktree in bio, or: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/fabulousphoenixboy/1799299 [includes "donation only" option for those unable to attend] on top of ticket sales, raffle tickets, and donations, 15% of all café purchases will also be donated to our amazing charities. Jude hopes to see many of your beautiful faces there 💛🧡❤💖💜💙💚 access notes at bottom of caption. 🌈🌈🌈 enjoy performances from Jude & friends, including: ☆ @not_that_robyn ☆ @ambulancebox ☆ Jude's partner @incompletemachine (in his performance debut!!) ☆ @tomas.bepalo ☆ @itsrevv 🎁🎁🎁 WIN incredible prizes in our raffle, including: ☆ original art (donated by Jude, @celesti_ink, and Dee Fairchild) ☆ handmade journals (donated by Dee) ☆ stationery bundles (from Jude’s personal collection) ☆ custom accessories (donated by @mountain_gautier) ☆ vouchers/swag (donated by Urban Jungle, @kafekweer, @ancientrobotgames, @cutebutdeadly.nailco) ☆ book bundle & tote (donated by @cymerafestival) ♿♿♿ access notes: ☆ the venue is not accessible,* as the only bathroom is fairly small, and down a set of stairs *(as a disabled performer himself, Jude tried his best) ☆ trigger/content warnings will be given by each performer at the start of their set/individual pieces ☆ due to a lack of resources, there will be no interpreting available ☆ hand sanitiser will be available, as well as masks for guests who need them (masking is not compulsory, but welcome) #charity #CharityFundraiser #LGBT #LGBTcharity #LGBTQ #LGBTQcharity #LGBTQIA #LGBTQIAcharity #PrideActionNorth #CFF #TheCharlieAndCarterFoundation #LGBTEdinburgh #LGBTQEdinburgh #LGBTQIAEdinburgh #QueerEdinburgh #TransEdinburgh #liveEdinburgh
Made of Magic cover image
Harry Josephine Giles Amy Jo Philip Polly Mairead Davies Robyn O'Donnell Spencer Mason Gray Crosbie Linden McMahon Jude FireSong Robin Hague 30th March 2025 7-9pm at Argonaut Books 15-17 Leith Walk, Edinburgh
A photograph of Gray Crosbie performing poetry on stage. They are smiling and holding a book which they are reading from. They are wearing a khaki green jumper and their hair is shaved at the sides with short curls on top.
Jude Firesong promotional image
A photograph of Robyn O'Donnell taken by herself in the mirror. She has red glasses on, long hair, and is smiling gently. The photograph has a slightly vintage effect overlaying it.
A photograph of poet Éadaoín Lynch crouched outside on some rocks. They are smiling at the camera. They are wearing a grey beanie hat, glasses, a light blue, grey and white plaid shirt, and blue jeans.
A black and white photograph of Spencer Mason performing on stage with a microphone. They are wearing a cap, a linen-like white shirt with the top buttons undone, and necklaces.
A beautiful photo of Harry Josephine Giles where she is smiling at the camera.
A photo of Robin performing on stage with a microphone and a big smile on her beautiful face. She has gorgeous brown curls and red nails.
A photograph of Elsa van der Wal standing outside Typewronger Books smiling and holding a tall stack of books.
A photograph of Amy Jo reading on stage at an event. The lighting is very colourful with a pink ceiling and Amy Jo's dress lit up in reds and greens. Amy Jo has long bright blonde hair and her dress is patterned with flowers.
A graphic promoting an event. Title reads, "Trans Day of Visbility: Readings Evening." Sub-title reads, "Join us for a cosy evening of powerful readings celebrating Trans Day of Visibility!" The date reads, "Sunday 30th March 2025". Then text reads, "7-9pm at Argonaut Books, 15-17 Leith Walk, Edinburgh." Hand drawn illustrations of a book and a swirl appear alongside three people holding and reading from books. The background is a gradient from blue to pink. All illustrations are in the colours of the transgender flag: blue, white, and pink.
A candle with the text "Transgender day of remembrance 2024"
About QUILL (Queers in Living Literature) Scotland was founded during Pride Month 2024 in response to an atmosphere of increasing hostility and lack of solidarity with the LGBT+ community among the literature organisations of Scotland. Over the past few years, we have seen organisations that claim to represent all of Scotland’s thriving literary community, defend freedom of speech, and speak for us on the national stage fail to stand by and protect – let alone champion – the LGBTQ+ artists, authors, and poets at the heart of the writing community.