LGBTQ+ Writers’ Retreats
In 2022 Elgan Rhys, Bethan Marlow and Llŷr Titus contributed as creative instigators, and Megan Angharad Hunter was the guest author. Following the retreat, many of the writers who attended submitted their work for publication in the first LGBTQ+ Welsh-language anthology which was published by Barddas: Curiadau (Beats; 2023).
November 2023 saw the second retreat being held with Llio Maddocks and Leo Drayton acting as the creative instigators, and Paul Mendez as the guest author. Following that weekend, the writers who attended the retreat were encouraged to contribute work to a new zine called rhych newydd (new furrow). The publication of the zine was supported by a Gwynedd Greadigol community grant and was published in February 2024, to mark LGBTQ+ History Month. And to celebrate Pride Month, the zine has been published as a digital zine on the Literature Wales website in June 2024.
DOWNLOAD THE RHYCH NEWYDD ZINE HERE
The Club
Llyfrau Lliwgar (Colourful Books) is an LGBTQ+ book club which was founded in Bangor September 2021 and which later developed a branch in Cardiff September 2022. Both Bangor and Cardiff groups meet once a month to discuss various texts by LGBTQ+ authors or which include queer representation (even if the representation is not the best).
Community
In addition to the monthly meetings, the book club arranges social events, from cinema visits to coffees in cafes, to a pub quiz to Christmas parties. The club also takes part in several Pride events, including North Wales Pride and Pride Cymru.
Special Events
Llyfrau Lliwgar was invited to arrange a session in the Llwyfan y Llannerch area in the Tregaron National Eisteddfod 2022, and a light-hearted event was held with Magi Noggi. The following year, Llyfrau Lliwgar was invited to hold an event in the Literary Pavilion in the Llŷn and Eifionydd National Eisteddfod 2023, to discuss LGBTQ+ representation in Welsh literature since the millennium. Lois Gwenllian, Nia Wyn Jones, Llŷr Titus and Dylan Huw contributed to this. The club will hold a special event in the Pontypridd National Eisteddfod 2024, to discuss the centenary of the controversial extended poem that saw E. Prosser Rhys being awarded the Crown in the Pont-y-pŵl National Eisteddfod 1924: ‘Atgof’ (‘Memory’). Lois Gwenllian, Arwel Gruffydd, Cathryn Charnel-White, Kayley Roberts and Gareth Evans-Jones will be taking part.
Always a Welcome
Everyone is always welcome to attend the monthly meetings in Bangor and Cardiff, and any other events held by Llyfrau Lliwgar.
This is an entirely inclusive, safe and friendly club and forum, and there is a welcome to all.
Contact
E-mail: llyfraulliwgar@gmail.com
Instagram: llyfraulliwgar
Facebook: Llyfrau Lliwgar