My Queer Diary: 7th - 13th July '25
Welcome to My Queer Diary, a weekly digest of LGBT+ events taking place around Edinburgh. Feel free to get in touch: myqueerdiary@proton.me
Thanks to the community organisers, event promoters, artists, workers and business people keeping the queer community thriving.
Monday 7 July
The Lavender Drawing Board: Co-working for queer creatives
13:00-16:00, Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive at the Edinburgh Palette, 151 London Road, EH7 6AE
Researching, writing and creative freelancing can be a lonely road. The Lavender Menace Drawing Board is offering a calm, supportive atmosphere for studying, reading and library-reasonable creative work in the company of fellow queer bees.
Hot Milk
13:00 & 18:00, Cameo, 38 Home St, EH3 9LZ
With a strange illness, a mother and her daughter embark on a journey to the Spanish coast to find a cure, and along the way the daughter discovers another reality far from her controlling mother.
(On general release so showing in multiple cinemas over the next couple of weeks.)
Queer By Nature
18:30-20:00, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 4 Duncan Place, EH6 8HW
This week is flower pressing. We are a friendly group of queer people who care about the natural environment, who come together to spend time in nature, share knowledge and learn together. For more information, email queerbynature.edi@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram.
LGBTQ+ NA
18:30-19:45, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 4 Duncan Place, EH6 8HW
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) 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. This group is specifically for LGBTQ+ people who desire to stop using drugs.
Glamoor!
21:00, The Street, 2b Picardy Place, EH1 3JT
An army of kings and things take over our stage for an evening of delicious queer chaos! Featuring: Lavish McTavish, Aelien Greebis, Max Hetero and Tainted Love!
Tuesday 8 July
Queer Mindful Garden
18:00-20:00, 51 Blackford Glen Road, EH16 6TP
SoulSoil Market Garden (MG) is a new local project based at the Blackford Glen Road, surrounded by the Braid Burn and the beautiful local forest. Whilst the summer warm sun is shining, come and connect with plants, birds, bees, horses, chickens, sheep, and each other in this beautiful garden. This is a queer safe place. Small group setup (6 people per event). Structure: 20-30 minuets mindful meditation outside in the garden, 45 minuets mindful gardening work, 30 minuets social with herbal tea.
LGBTQ Live and Let Live: 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.
Wednesday 9 July
Trans+ Swimming Session
19:00-21:00, St Leonard’s Pool, Holyrood Rd, EH8 8AQ
This Summer, we’re excited to launch monthly Trans+ Swim Sessions at the University Sport & Exercise St Leonard's Land Pool! As part of an inclusive access to exercise pilot, we're offering a dedicated time for trans students, staff, and members of the wider Edinburgh community to enjoy movement and build confidence in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Val McDermid - Queen Macbeth: A Kick up the Arts Live Podcast Recording
19:00-20:00, Portobello Bookshop, 46 Portobello High Street, EH15 1DA
Join Val McDermid and Nicola Meighan for a special live recording of Meighan’s Scottish Arts & Culture Podcast, A Kick Up The Arts, to celebrate the paperback publication of Val's latest book, Queen Macbeth. They'll chat about Val's life and work, and she will also give us a virtual night of entertainment by discussing her choice of a Scottish album, film and book. We truly can’t wait!
The Bro Code: Edinburgh’s Drag King Show
19:00-22:30, Leith Arches, 6 Manderston Street, EH6 8LY
Edinburgh's only all king show!! Hosts Dom Perignon and Jack The Strapper bring you four guest kings: Max Hetero feat. Andre Universe, True Greebis, Mdame Posy, and Eddy Rivers! Prepare to be amused, amazed and aroused… It's time to follow The Bro Code!
Thursday 10 July
Trans Drop-in Sexual Health Clinic
13:00-16:00, 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
Edinburgh Trans Choir
18:15-20:30, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 4 Duncan Place, EH6 8HW
Are you trans, able to get to Edinburgh, and want to sing? We are Edinburgh Trans Choir (ETC), a relaxed biweekly choir by trans people for trans people. Our next we’ll be singing Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan. Put on your cowboy boots and mosey down! We provide snacks and hot drinks, and you don’t need any musical experience to join!
The Roze Garden: Cabaret & Club Night
21:00-01:00, The Street, 2b Picardy Place, EH1 3JT
Looking for the ultimate Thursday night out in Edinburgh? Join us at The Roze Garden, hosted by the fabulous Chloe Roze, for a night of unforgettable live entertainment, show-stopping cabaret performances, and a vibrant club atmosphere.
Friday 11 July
Tranimosity
20:00, CC Blooms, 23-24 Greenside Pl, EH1 3AA
Well, well, well… look at the time! Babies, this Friday marks the 1 year tranniversary of Tranimosity! That means one whole year of adding to the transition funds of trans artists across the country, one whole year of spreading trans joy and one whole year of tranimalistic behaviour! Join your host Krystal Klear with DJ Roche and a star studded cast to celebrate the first and only all trans drag show in Scotland and kick off another year of transgender benders!
Saturday 12 July
Queer Gardening Group
10:00-14:00, Gracemount Community Garden, Gracemount House Dr, EH16 6FD
Gardening and socialising in nature for queer people. Check our socials (@transitionedinburghsouth) for more details about each session. The sessions are very relaxed, no experience is necessary and all are welcome! You can come for the whole session or drop-in when suits you. Bring warm clothes and lunch :)
Clothes Swap: Community Collection Day
13:00-16:00, Meadows, Bottom of Chalmers Street.(what3words - dock.highs.epic)
We need YOUR clothes! RTIE is organising a clothes swap - please bring clothes in bags!! We need: Binders, Trousers, Shorts, Skirts, Belts, Bras, Dresses, Plus-Size Clothes…and anything else you might have!!! If your clothes have holes or other imperfections, but are mendable, please bring those along too, but clearly label or put them in a separate, labelled bag. The actual Clothes Swap is happening on Sunday 20th July, 3:30-7:30pm.
Saturday Chatterday ages 25-30
13:30-16:00, Kafe Kweer, 5 St. Peter's Buildings, EH3 9PG
Saturday Chatterday is an event we started to help fight loneliness and help folk meet new people. Whether you really click and become friends, or only meet once, it's a great chance to meet new folk and their perspectives. We ask that you turn up as close to the 1:30pm start as possible. You can stay for as long as you want! We've decided to try out separating each event by age groups, in order to help people of similiar ages meet their peers!
Trans+ Workout Session
14:00-16:00, Salle, Pleasance Gym, 46 Pleasance, EH8 9TJ
This Summer, we’re excited to launch monthly Trans+ Workout Sessions at the Pleasance Gym! As part of an inclusive access to exercise pilot, we're offering a dedicated time for trans students, staff, and members of the wider Edinburgh community to enjoy movement and build confidence in a welcoming and supportive environment. Booking essential.
Bear Scots Social
21:00-01:00, The Regent, 2 Montrose Terrace, EH7 5DL
We have the private use of the back lounge and the space is ours all night, you can just turn up, sit down at one of our tables and say hello… everyone is welcome. It’s perfect night to meet up with old friends or make some new ones. If it’s your first time, look out for one of the volunteers with the chocolates and say hello, and they can introduce you to the bears.
Sunday 13 July
Queer Men for Queer Literature
12:15-14:00, Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive at the Edinburgh Palette, 151 London Road, EH7 6AE
In July, we'll be joined by Tristan Gray, author of dark fantasy short stories inspired by Scotland, Gaelic mythology and folklore, and the Scots language. A friendly monthly discussion group about gay books and gay writing, for people who enjoy reading and talking about how gay writing has impacted our lives. These sessions are for anyone who identifies as a gay, bi, or queer man and wants to discuss books. Our events are trans-inclusive.
Social Sundays
14:00-16:00, Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive at the Edinburgh Palette, 151 London Road, EH7 6AE
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.
Creative Journaling for LGBTQIA+
18:00-20:00, The Salisbury Centre, 2 Salisbury Road, EH16 5AB
Take time at the end of your week for self-reflection. Together in a supportive group, we will journal using guided prompts to help process life events, imagine potential futures, and remember moments of magic. No writing experience is required.
Planning ahead…
Things coming up further ahead than one week that might sell out and assorted flora.
Queer Joy book club
Sunday 20 July, 12:15-14:00, Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive at the Edinburgh Palette, 151 London Road, EH7 6AE
Join us at Lavender Menace for our monthly book club. In July, we're reading The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson by Tourmaline. We meet on the third Sunday each month to discuss queer books through a lens of finding joy in LGBTQ+ stories. Booking essential.
Yoga and Foraging Workshop
Saturday 26 July, 13:00-16:00, Cammo Estate, 37 Cammo Road, EH4 8AW
Join us for an afternoon of yoga and foraging to explore and celebrate nature's offerings. The yoga practice will be led by Ruth MacGilp (she/her) from Queer Yoga Edinburgh, and the foraging workshop will be run by Victoria Beall (she/her). Victoria is an expert in all things foraging, fungi and regenerative agriculture