The new Daylesford chapter of Queer Book Club has started with a good turnout late last month.

Formed back in 2022 at Castlemaine, the club aims to provide a warm and welcoming space for LGBTIQA+ people to socialise and discuss books written by queer authors.

“We’ve been attracting people who are not only interested in exploring LGBTIQA+ literature, but also connection to community,” Queer Book Club founder Robyn says.

Facilitator of the new Daylesford chapter, Tonye Segbedzi, pictured, says six people attended the new chapter’s inaugural gathering and it’s hoped this number will only increase.

“The book club started in Castlemaine and the next chapter was in Brunswick, and we’ve also got another one starting in Bendigo,” she says.

“It’s equally about the social connectivity as it is about the book so if you haven’t read the book, still come along,” says Tonye, who also facilitates Castlemaine’s Silver Rainbow Social Club for LGBTIQA+ people aged over 50, their friends, allies and carers.

The Daylesford chapter meets on the third Wednesday evening of each month at a local hospitality venue. Attendance is free and food and drinks are available to purchase.

The queer books for discussion were chosen by an annual online survey of book club members. Queer Book Club hopes to donate some copies of the selected queer books to Hepburn Libraries so they are available for the whole community as well.

The new chapter is supported by a community grant from the Hepburn Shire Council. Link: www.facebook.com/groups/queerbookclubaus.

Words: Eve Lamb

A new Daylesford chapter of the Queer Book Club has started this week.

Club founder Robyn said “Queer Book Club started in 2022, we’ve been attracting people who are not only interested in exploring LGBTQIA+ literature, but also connection to community.”

After moving regionally, they found there were fewer opportunities for social meetups specifically within the LGBTQIA+ community.

The monthly meetup has resonated with many and has now branched out with Daylesford is the newest chapter to bring people together monthly for the love of literature and community connection.

The new Daylesford chapter start this Wednesday 15 May 2024, and will now meet monthly on the third Wednesday at a local hospitality venue.

Attendance at meet-ups is free, and food and drinks are available to purchase at the venue.

The queer books for discussion were chosen by an annual online survey of book club members. Members can access the books by buying them (most are available as ebooks) or borrowing them from a library or friend.

Queer Book Club hopes to donate some copies of the selected queer books to Hepburn Libraries so they are available for the whole community.

Anyone interested can obtain more information about the Daylesford chapter by joining the Queer Book Club private Facebook group.