Queer Lit

This one’s special… Social Refuge & Queer Lit, in partnership with Rainbow Minds, are excited and honoured to bring you an Exclusive Charitable Screening of the multi‑award‑winning stop‑motion feature Two Black Boys in Paradise. Join us for this special fund raiser event. In attendance with be the the creators of the film. We have a behind the scenes look at the making of Two Black Boys in Paradise, offering insight into their creative process. This is followed by the feature presentation, culminating in a live Q&A with members of the creative team for an opportunity to explore the themes, craft, and lived experiences behind this powerful work. Venue: Social Refuge Date: May 26th Time: Seating from 7pm Tickets: £10 - All ticket sales will be donated to Rainbow Minds This is more than a screening, it’s an evening of community, conversation, and care. Join us in celebrating Black queer storytelling while supporting a cause that makes a real difference.

QUEER HISTORY COMES ALIVE — AND YOU’RE INVITED! We could not be more excited to welcome Tash Walker and Adam Zmith, the brilliant co‑authors behind The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened, for a night of stories, laughter, emotion, and powerful LGBTQ+ history brought to life. Inspired by their award‑winning podcast, The Log Books uncovers four decades of queer experiences in the UK through the handwritten notes of Switchboard volunteers — moments of fear, joy, curiosity, resilience, and everything in between. These intimate records tell the story of a community that has always shown up for each other. Join us as Tash and Adam share how they uncovered these forgotten logs, the incredible people behind the stories, and what it means to reconnect with a past they weren’t shown growing up. Expect humanity, humour, heart, and a celebration of queer strength. This is one to be part of. Whether you’re a superfan of the podcast, obsessed with queer history, or just curious — come be part of a conversation that honours the past, shines light on the present, and inspires the future. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW ! 📍 Social Refuge 📅 15 May 2026 🕒 7pm–9pm Grab your friends. Grab your seats. And let’s make this a night to remember.

We're beyond excited to announce a VERY special Heartstopper Volume 6 pre-order competition! 💜 If you pre-order your copy through one of these brilliant independent queer bookshops across the UK you could win an illustration of you and a friend drawn by the incredible @aliceoseman ! With each bookshop choosing 1 winner at random, there will be 4 prizes up for grabs! For the full T&Cs head to your chosen bookshop's website via the link in our stories or bio (13+ UK only). It's going to be a Heartstopper summer 🍂

Please join us for the official launch event for The Castle Of Stories at @queerlituk and @socialrefugemcr in Manchester on Tuesday 2 June! #books #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #gay #queer

I’m extremely thrilled to be able to share (at last) details of the UK FATHER MATERIAL preorder campaign with you!! Order your copy from @lighthousebks or @queerlituk to receive three Luc & Oliver vellum overlays + a signed bookplate. (These are the same incentives as the US indie campaign. It’s also while supplies last.) You can find all the l!nks in all the usual places. 💙❤️🥔 An unbelievable amount of finagling and logistics goes on behind the scenes in order for any campaign to happen (let alone several for one book). A big thanks to my publisher for all their hard work. And equally big thanks to everyone who has been patient. We got there in the end! ✊🫶💜 ——— Disclaimers: 1. If you ask me a question that is directly answered in the caption or the post itself, I’m afraid I will not able to respond to you. 2. Please do consider visiting my website for further information about my work. 3. In order to make my social media a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone, I filter & actively moderate.

JUNE 9TH 7PM Arathi Menonon Book Launch Da Social Refuge Great Ancoats

That time Dad (aka Matt) got papped in the shop… But behind the cheeky moment is a story with important origin. This space you know as Social Refuge isn’t just a name we liked the sound of, it’s a nod to the building’s past life. Back in April 1899, the Derros Building on Great Ancoats Street opened as a Methodist Women’s Night Shelter and rescue home. It was a place of safety, support, and second chances, offering refuge, training and even a coffee tavern for vulnerable women and servant girls in industrial Manchester. Fast forward to today… and that same spirit of 'safe space' is still alive and well offering refuge for a new community. Social Refuge was inspired by that legacy, reimagining the space as a modern LGBTQ+ safe haven, built on inclusion, community, and care. Because Manchester’s history isn’t just something to admire… it’s something to carry forward. Bet you didn’t know that. #SocialRefuge #ManchesterHistory #Ancoats #LGBTQSpace #HeritageWithPurpose #SafeSpaces #ThenAndNow

Join us at Queer Lit & Social Refuge for a special evening as we celebrate the launch of Florenzer, the powerful new book by Phil Melanson. Florenzer is a vivid portrait of Leonardo da Vinci's coming-of-age, at a time when gay men lived under constant threat from Florentine Officers of the Night. Phil will be in conversation with Holly Cruise, exploring the themes at the heart of the book, alongside a thoughtful and engaging discussion of its ideas, inspirations, and impact. Expect an insightful, intimate evening with opportunities to hear directly from the author, gain deeper understanding of the work, and connect with fellow readers. Step into another time and place with up. Come celebrate, connect and discover the rich world of historical fiction at this special book launch. We’d love to see you there. Event Details 📅 Tuesday 14th July 🕖 7:00pm 📍 Queer Lit / Social Refuge

Now in stock at Queer Lit! We’ve got the hardback edition of How Queer Bookshops Changed the World by A.J. West available in store — and yes, there’s even a cheeky little mention of us inside Show some love for A.J. West and support independent queer bookshops and spaces by grabbing your copy today. Because these spaces matter — yesterday, today, always. #QueerLit #SupportIndieBookshops #AJWest #QueerBooks #LGBTQLiterature

New at Queer Lit We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune . Husbands Don and Rodney have lived a full life together - filled with love, family, heartbreak, and resilience. But now… the world is truly coming to an end. As a mysterious wandering black hole edges closer, they’re faced with their final days - and what it really means to love, to remember, and to let go. Poignant, intimate, and deeply human, this is TJ Klune at his most reflective and emotional — a story about the end of everything… and the enduring power of connection. Secure your copy now and be among the first to experience this unforgettable story. Grab yours now! #QueerLit #TJKlune #WeBurnedSoBright #LGBTQBooks #Bookstagram #PreOrderNow #QueerReads #NewReleases #IndieBookshop #BooksOfInstagram

My book #InvisibleRainbows comes out this month!! I’ll be at @queerlituk @socialrefugemcr on June 24 - here is a little tidbit feat. @corgiclue Link in bio!

🎉 It’s giveaway time! 🎉 To celebrate A.J. West’s brand new release, A.J. and the incredible team at Oneworld Publications have spoiled us with a stash of gorgeous goodies — and of course, we’re sharing the love with you. For a limited time only, every pre‑order will come with a random surprise merch bundle. Whether you’re a pin‑collecting pro, sticker superfan, or simply can’t resist another bookmark (no judgement here 👀), you might just find something special tucked into your order. Limited items. Exclusive treats. One highly anticipated new book. Get your pre‑order in quickly and celebrate A.J.’s latest release with some seriously collectible extras!