News

  • Queering Memory: An Evening of Film, Craft and Conversation

    History is about the future. Not just the past.

    As Ottawa Pride is just around the corner, we, at the CCGSD, joined forces with the Ottawa Trans Library (OTL) and the Transgender Media Lab (TMP) to organize an evening that brings together our communities around our queer histories.

    Join us on August 24th from 5pm to 8pm EST at the Carleton Dominion Chambers Center (355 Cooper St) for a free evening of crafts, the screening of the documentary Unarchived (2022) followed by a fireside chat with Laura Horak (TMP) and Tara Sypniewski (OTL).

    🔗Register now in the link in our bio to attend!

    💬ASL interpretation available and the captions will be on during the screening.

    😷Masks are required for this event. Free masks will be available.

    Thank you to the National Film Board (NFB) and the Carleton Film Studies department for making this screening possible.

    For more information, click here

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  • Ottawa Trans Joy Quilt Project🪡

    • The title Ottawa Trans Joy Quilt is printed in rounded letters in the centre of the slide. The background is a blue fabric with orange and gold suns, stars and moons.
    • Background is a bright yellow fabric, along the bottom of which runs a white lacey border. Black text in the centre of the fabric reads: This project invites all trans people to create a quilt square with a design that reflects our experiences of transness and trans joy. Your square can be done in any style, and all squares will become part of a community quilt that reflects what trans joy means to all of us.
    • Background is a black jean fabric, with a smaller piece of textured peach textile overlaid on top of it. Text on the paper reads: Come to our quilt making events at the Ottawa Trans library: Quilt square making: September 2nd, 2pm - 4pm September 23rd, 2pm - 4pm. Finished pieces quilting bee: October 28th 2pm - 4pm. Quilt pieces must be finished and dropped off to the Ottawa Trans Library by October 15th. Need materials? Pick up a kit at the Ottawa Trans Library starting August 30th. Get in touch with us at FriendlyLocalQuiltqueers@protonmail.me
    • Background is a floral fabric in peaches and blues, with an orange text box in its centre. Text in black reads: What is this quilt? This quilt builds on a history of radical queer quilting; your quilt square can be a reflection of trans joy, grief, anger, love, community, and anything else meaningful to you, its maker. It will be used, loved, and cared for (including washing - please be mindful of this in your design). This quilt does not belong to any one person or group but to everyone and no one. All its squares are in conversation with one another, each unique like the person who made it. There is no one voice, nor is it an archival piece - it will wear and decay in time. We will create this quilt together, by making each piece, and then gathering to bind them all together in celebration.
    • Background is an abstract geometric patterned fabric with a dark brown base, embellished with triangles, arrows and lines in lighter browns, peaches and greys. Overtop are three pieces of paper. The largest, on the left side, reads: Suitable Fabrics: Please use a quilt weight cotton or similar fabric (natural or synthetic) for your quilt square - this can be a repurposed textile, quilting fabric, or something else! Unsure if your fabric is the right weight? Email us with a photo or come pick up a kit! Experienced quilter using your own fabric? Fantastic! Just keep in mind how your fabric will sit with the rest of the quilt. On the righthand side is a smaller piece of lined paper, on which the text reads: Suitable Decorating Materials: Embroidery thread, yarn, knitting, crochet, other fabrics, pieced squares, fabric paint, sequins, buttons, felt, silkscreening and iron on transfers Please do not use: washable materials (markers, paint, glue), non-fabric paints, permanent marker Above these two papers in the top-right corner, a small piece of green paper reads: *Don't have your own fabric? Pick up a fabric kit at the Ottawa Trans Library starting August 30th*
    • A piece of lined paper fills the slide. Black text is printed down the left side, while a diagram sits on the right. The text reads: Size: Dimensions: 8 inches square piece of fabric with 1 inch seam allowance for a 6 inch square area containing your design in the middle of the piece How to: Cut your square to 8 inches on all sides We are using a 1 inch seam allowance, so leave 1 inch of blank space on all sides. Your design area is 6 inches square. The diagram depicts two squares, one inside the other: the larger square is in black, and is labeled "8 inch square of fabric". The smaller square is orange and sits inside the larger one at its centre. It is labeled "6 inch square design area". The interior of the smaller square reads "design goes here".
    • Background is light blue jean fabric. A blue text box fills the centre of the slide, with a pink speech bubble to the top left. The speech bubble title reads "what if I have fabric trouble". Main text reads: The good news: we still want your square! The bad news: it probably won't look its best. What will happen if your design is: • On unsuitable fabric (for example your fabric is stretchy, gauzy, elasticky, or otherwise cannot hold its own weight), we may attempt to stabilize using another base fabric, but it may not retain its previous beauty • Not to the required dimensions, its design may be lost in the seams of the quilt, or will need to be attached to a larger base fabric. • Not washable (by hand) it will be placed on the quilt using some combination of: pockets, zippers, snaps, or stitching so that it can be removed for washing. This may impact the longevity of your quilt square. If you have questions, please email us - FriendlyLocalQuiltqueers@protonmail.me

    The Ottawa Trans Joy Quilt is a project that invites invites all trans people to create a quilt square with a design that reflects our experiences of transness and trans joy. Your square can be done in any style, and all squares will become part of a community quilt that reflects what trans joy means to all of us. 

    Join in by making a square from your own fabric stash, or picking up a fabric package from the Ottawa Trans Library after August 30th. 

    Come meet other quilters and trans folks and quilt together at the Trans Library:
    September 2nd, 2pm – 4pm
    September 23rd, 2pm – 4pm 

    Join in the binding of the quilt at the Ottawa Trans Library:
    October 28th, 2pm – 4pm

    For more information, contact: FriendlyLocalQuiltqueers@protonmail.me 

  • March With Us at Ottawa Capital Pride!

    Registration Closed

    🏳️‍🌈 March with us at Pride! 🏳️‍⚧️

    We’re excited to invite you to march with us at Ottawa’s 2023 Capital Pride Parade, taking place August 27th from 1:00PM to 3:30PM at Nicholas and Laurier St.!

    All are welcome!

    If you wish to join us, please register beforehand between August 2nd and 16th. Registration can be found through the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3IXB5tffadH9-928KcIIjSG30RfibOZwkAniiLkJsCo7Kww/viewform

    More information about the march will be provided upon registration. Hope to see you there! 🌟

    NOTE: If you are under the age of 18, you will need a guardian to accompany you if you wish to march.

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  • Zine Making Workshop with Ottawa Dyke March

    We are excited to be hosting the Zine Making Workshop in collaboration with Ottawa Dyke March 2023 this Saturday, July 22nd from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.. This is a Pay What You Can, Drop-in style event in support of Ottawa Dyke March and Ottawa Trans Library!

    Some supplies such as markers, paper, and old magazines will be provided, but you are also encouraged to bring your own materials to work with. Be creative!

    This will be a masked event, and we highly encourage all participants to wear masks for the health and safety of everyone. There will be masks available at the door for those who do not have one.

    While we are able to provide a ramp at the entrance upon request, our washroom is unfortunately small and not accessible. Nearby businesses such as Yakko Takko (1082 Somerset W), and Tooth and Nail Brewing Company (3 Irving Avenue) will be open during the event, and both have wheelchair accessible bathrooms. If you have any specific accommodation requests, feel free to reach out!

    For more detailed information about this event, check out this post from @ottawadykemarch 2023: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cupd3ytgPg1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

    We hope to see you there! 🌸

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  • Trans & Non-binary D&D/Tabletop RPGs Group! 🎲

    Join us for an ongoing Trans & Nonbinary D&D/Tabletop RPG game every other week on Sundays from 2-5pm, located at the Ottawa Trans Library. Advanced registration required; sign up by July 15 to reserve your spot. Visit https://forms.gle/3tUzb2TCtnzftMxk8 to learn more.

  • Official Ottawa Trans Library Merch!!🐉🏳️‍⚧️

    Hi all! We’re excited to announce our first official OTL merch! Come to our library and check out our new bookmarks and postcards🤩 Bookmarks are $2, and postcards are $4 each. All the proceeds will go to the library and help us to create a safe community space for all trans, non-binary and other gender non-conforming folks☺️

  • Trans Knitting & Crochet Group!🧶

    Sundays biweekly, 2-5pm, starting from July 2nd

    To register: owencameron126@gmail.com

    Are you a trans person who wants to learn knitting? Want to meet other trans folks who are interested in knitting or crocheting? Come join us for the Trans Knitting & Crochet Group! Beginners welcome. Bring your own supplies, but extra supplies are available. Registration required.

  • CLOSED for Saturday, July 1st

    The Ottawa Trans Library will be CLOSED on July 1st.

  • Trans and Non-Binary Joy Mini-Filmfest🍿 (feat. books from OTL📚!)

    We’re happy to promote the Trans and Non-Binary Joy Mini-Filmfest hosted by DIgi60!

    From their post:

    On Thursday June 29th, join us to Celebrate Trans and Non-Binary Joy in an evening of community, connection, and film! We’ll start the evening with an introductory improv workshop led by Franky Agueci and Velvet Wells, followed by a mini-film-fest and panel discussion celebrating local trans and non-binary storytelling, and ending with a raffle of amazing gifts from the community. Location is the LabO Theatre, 60 Waller Street Ottawa and tickets are by donation to support the Ottawa Trans Library.

    6:00 – 7:15 Improv Sampler Workshop for Trans and Non-Binary Creatives (for trans and non-binary individuals only)

    7:00 pm – Doors open at LabO, snacks available outside the theatre

    7:30 – 9:00 pm Film screening, panel talk, raffle!

    Instagram and Eventbrite links.

  • Call for Volunteers! 🏳️‍⚧️

    Volunteer Application Form Here!

    Hey all! We are so excited to announce that we are looking for volunteers! We are specifically looking for people who are interested in graphic design, helping out with our social media accounts/general communications, planning events, hosting events, and catalog acquisitions; but we’re open to a wide range of volunteers for all sorts of things. No experience needed + we have a lot tasks that can be done remotely so you don’t even need to be local to Ottawa. If you’re over 18 and volunteering at the library is something you’d like to do, we want to hear from you! 

    Follow the link to the volunteer application and tell us about yourself! 💕🏳️‍⚧️