My Queer Diary: 20th - 26th Oct '25
Welcome to My Queer Diary, a weekly digest of LGBT+ events taking place around Edinburgh.
Thanks to the community organisers, event promoters, artists, workers and business people keeping the queer community thriving.
Get in touch myqueerdiary@proton.me and follow MYD on Instagram.
Monday 20 October
Future Drop Outs: co-working group
13:00-16:00, Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive at the Edinburgh Palette, 151 London Road, EH7 6AE
Future Drop Outs is co-working group for queer students, researchers, and writers. Join us for a calm, supportive studying session. A relaxed and relatively quiet space to work on your own project in the company of others. Because of the nature of the building, we can’t guarantee silence but we will hold the quietest space we can within the room. We will have basic refreshments (tea, coffee, biscuits) out
LGBT Non-Birth Parents
18:00-19:30, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 4 Duncan Place, EH6 8HW
A social and supportive group for LGBTQ+ non-birth parents in Edinburgh to connect and share their experiences on parenthood. The group aims to create safe space for non-birth parents where people can share their experiences and feelings, connect non-birth parents, offer peer support and create community and a sense of belonging.
LGBTQ+ NA
18:30-19:45, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 4 Duncan Place, EH6 8HW
Narcotics Anonymous is a fellowship or society of people for whom drugs had become a major problem. There is only one requirement for membership, the desire to stop using.
Tracks Mondays
21:00, Subway, 69 Cowgate, EH1 1JW
Join us on Monday for another amazing night on the biggest stage in Scottish Drag. Be sure to get down early so you don’t miss out! Be sure to get down early so you don’t miss out! Featuring: Loki Lovehandles, Latex, Max Hetero. Hosted by Elizabeth Moore.
Tuesday 21 October
Scottish Network of Parents and Carers of Trans Kids
18:30-20:30, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 4 Duncan Place, EH6 8HW
A monthly group in Edinburgh for parents and carers of trans youth. The format of our meetings is simple, welcoming and non-judgemental. We give parents, family members and carers a safe space to discuss how they are doing, away from their offspring. It is essential that you register by email ahead of the meeting: transparentsees@gmail.com.
Fawn’s Blood: Queer Vampire Night with Hal Schrieve
19:00-20:00, Lighthouse Bookshop, 43-45 West Nicolson Street, EH8 9DB
Vampires, vampire slayers, and a bloodthirsty underground resistance converge in a campy YA fantasy about being a queer teen in a world that wishes they did not exist. The librarian and critically acclaimed author of Out of Salem puts a pulpy spin on vampire fiction, and bites back at anti-trans moral panic! See in spooky season with a delicious queer monster night!
The Charmers: Anne Robinson
19:00-21:00, Fruitmarket, 45 Market Street, EH1 1DF
The Charmers are a (possibly fictional) band, formed by seven accused ’witches’ from Ayrshire. These queer, runaway, time-travelling-players were discovered on a 17th century scroll by an artist researching the Scottish witch trials. Now the band have made a 4-track EP ‘Not to be Found’ and are out on tour! ‘Coming soon.. The Charmers!’ is an art project which draws on research by artist Anne Robinson into the Scottish ‘witch’ trials of the 17th century: known to be amongst the most brutal in the world.
LGBTQ AA
19:45-20:45, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 4 Duncan Place, EH6 8HW
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
Plainclothes
20:40, Filmhouse, 88 Lothian Road, EH3 9BZ
Further showing Wed at 13:00 and 20:30, Thurs at 15:30.
This thrilling debut from director Carmen Emmi is a brooding psychological drama starring Russell Tovey and Tom Blyth. Andrew (Tovey) is illicitly cruising the bathrooms of a strip mall when he meets Lucas (Blyth), who is an undercover cop on an assignment to catch and arrest men just like him. But something happens when they meet, and an instant connection is formed between them.
Wednesday 22 October
LGBT Age Film Club
13:00-15:30, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 4 Duncan Place, EH6 8HW
Our monthly LGBT Age film club welcomes all older LGBT+ people (50+) for relaxed get-togethers in a safe and friendly environment where all LGBT+ identities and experiences are affirmed. These provide great opportunities to meet new people, reconnect with old friends, and watch great films.
Intermediaries: An Evening of Queer History with Brandy Schillace
19:00-20:00, Lighthouse Bookshop, 43-45 West Nicolson Street, EH8 9DB
Friends! Join us for an evening exploring the fascinating history behind the daring team of sexologists who built the first trans clinic in the shadow of the Third Reich. With the ongoing eradication of trans rights in the UK, The Intermediaries is an important reminder that grassroots organisers have always found ways to deliver care and mutual aid to those who need it most – do not despair, organise!
Thursday 23 October
Trans Drop-in Sexual Health Clinic
16:30-18:30, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 4 Duncan Place, EH6 8HW
An inclusive, welcoming space for trans and non-binary people to get tested and discuss PrEP, contraception, or overall sexual health and wellbeing
Friday 24 October
LGBTQ Tour
18:00-19:30, The High Street Wellhead, EH11QX
This is a walking tour of Edinburgh focusing on LGBTQ history from the battle of legalisation to the modern issues faced by the community in the current day. A trip through the heart of Scotland’s capital to find out how LGBT people carved out a life in an occasionally hostile climate, past many important sites in the fight for liberation.
The Ball of Scarlett Palmer
20:30, CC Blooms, 23-24 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA
The Ghost of Scarlett Palmer would like to invite you to her evening of drag performances, dance, and costumed ball. As Halloween is approaching and the veil is thinning, Edinburgh´s finest alternative performers gathered to give you a unique immersive night. With a dj set from Sweet Philly, perfomances from Mystika Glamoor, Syr, Ferris and The Ghost of Scarlett Palmer, followed by a runway of the best dressed : you.
Saturday 25 October
Halloween Hike: Dalmeny Park & Craigie Hill and Farm
09:30-15:00, Dalmeny Train Station, Station Road, EH30 9JU
Edinburgh Queer Hiking’s October hike is an autumnal woodland walk around Dalmeny Estate and Craigie Hill. Come dressed up - there’s a price for the spookiest outfit! Finishing up at Craigies farm with a hot drink and a treat from the cafe. There is also an option for a shorter walk, doing only Craigie Hill.
T-Climbing Edinburgh
11:00, Alien Bloc, 23 Dunedin Street, EH7 4JG
Trans climbing group. If you haven’t climbed at Alien Bloc before, register online and fill out the safety waiver so you don’t have to do it on the day. Wear breathable and flexible fabrics. We do not advise climbing with a binder as it constricts your breathing and range of motion. Bring your water bottle and a snack. You can rent shoes at the climbing centre, and borrow or buy chalk if you want to use it while climbing (but you don’t have to!).
Campy Ceilidh! - October
19:00-23:00, Edinburgh Student Housing Co-operative Basement, 34 Wright’s Houses, EH10 4HR
Edinburgh’s most fabulous monthly ceilidh night! Campy Ceilidh is a night filled with whimsy and wonder, lead by the incredible Pied Piper Ceilidh Band who’ll keep you dancing all night long! Each night will also features some incredible local drag - this month you’ll be treated to the incredible Jay Gnormous! This month is our spooky special, so throw on some haunting garbs to compete in our creepy costume competition!
Sunday 26 October
Walk n’ Talk: Royal Botanic Garden
11:00-13:00, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, EH3 5NZ
Join a friendly and welcoming group of LGBTQ+ people for a slow outdoor walk around the grounds of the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. Connect with other members of the local LGBTQ+ community, and get some fresh air and gentle exercise. We will walk for an hour and finish with a drink and a chat at one of the Garden’s cosy cafés.
Queer Gothic Words
12:15-14:00, Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive at the Edinburgh Palette, 151 London Road, EH7 6AE
A monthly book club focusing on queer gothic writing. Every month we choose a book (or selection of shorter texts) by LGBTQ+ authors, or featuring queer characters/themes to read and discuss together. We alternate between classic and contemporary texts. October’s book: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier..
Social Sunday
14:00-16:00, Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive at the Edinburgh Palette, 151 London Road, EH7 6AE
The Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive is open for our informal Social Sundays. Join us for tea, cake and lots of queer book discussion! There is no need to sign up in advance, you can just turn up. Social Sundays are a great way to learn more about the archive and chat about your favourite LGBTQ+ books. You can come with friends or on your own – our volunteers will make you feel welcome.
Edinburgh Dyke Bar Halloween Party
19:00-23:00, Ball Room Sports Bar, Meadowbank, 25 Jocks Lodge, EH8 7AA
Dykebar HALLOWEEN PARTY! Come costumed! Come play pool! Come have a beer! Bring ur mates! If you need a free DykePint, we’ve got u covered as usual. Wheelchair accessible.
Planning ahead…
Things coming up further ahead than one week that might sell out and assorted flora.
I Saw The TV Glow
Tuesday 28 October, 18:00, Filmhouse, 88 Lothian Road, EH3 9BZ
When a lonely teenager is introduced by a classmate to a mysterious late-night TV show - The Pink Opaque - the world within the show begins to feel more real than real life. Jane Schoenbrun’s evocative and uncanny story of suburban horrors and coming of age in the mid-1990s creates a foreboding feeling that unspools across decades before reaching a breaking point.
Sly Dig’s Sweat Box
Saturday 1st November, 17:00-22:00, The Pitt, 20 W Shore Rd, Granton, EH5 1QD
SLY DIG’s sweat box is a unique queer event that features the grounding and exhilarating combination of sauna and musical artists by FLINTA* for FLINTA* (an umbrella term representing women, lesbians, inter*, non-binary, trans* and agender people) and their friends. SLY DIG invites you to the Pitt market to enjoy an amazing selection of the some of Scotlands most exciting DJs at the event space, interspersed with the calming and healing oasis of Soul Water’s wood-fired sauna and thermal contrast of their purpose built cold plunges. We also have a special sauna-side artist performing.
Wuthering Dykes Book Club: Ordinary Saints by Niamh Ní Mhaoilcoin
Monday 3 November, 19:00, Lost in Leith, 82 Commercial St, Leith, EH6 6LX
A book club for dykes in Edinburgh. Discussions will be every month about our fave queer books. November’s book is the incredible Ordinary Saints by Niamh Ní Mhaoilcoi.
Lesbian Speed Dating in Edinburgh | Ages 25-45
Thursday 6 November, 19:00-21:30, Manahatta Edinburgh, 28 Rose Street, EH2 2QA
Introducing speed dating for Lesbian women living in or around Edinburgh. We all know the real magic takes place in person, so ditch the phones and meet face-to-face. Expect the most sociable of nights packed full of fast introductions, each one lasting just four minutes. Our tried and tested speed dating formula makes meeting people easy and lots of fun. Expect to meet somewhere between 10-15 people at this event.