Lavender Library - August, 2026

August Lavendar Library

Problem: There weren't enough local queer-centered book clubs. Solution: We started one! Looking for a welcoming book club that shifts the focus of the conversation to living life as a queer person? We're on the same page, and we've got you covered. Welcome to the Autonomy Project's Lavender Library.

This month, we're reading All About Love by bell hooks. Part memoir, part cultural critique, and part invitation, All About Love asks a deceptively simple question: What if we've been taught to understand love all wrong? Rather than treating love as something that simply happens to us, bell hooks explores love as a practice - one rooted in care, honesty, justice, vulnerability, and mutual growth.

Together, we'll explore how love shapes our friendships, chosen family, romantic relationships, communities, and even the way we relate to ourselves. We'll discuss what it means to build relationships rooted in authenticity, how systems of oppression influence our understanding of love, and why imagining more loving ways of living can be a profoundly radical act.

As always, Lavender Library isn't about having the "right" interpretation or arriving fully prepared. Whether you've read every chapter, only just begun, or simply want to listen and join the conversation, you're welcome here. This is a gentle, low-pressure space built around curiosity, connection, and exploring big ideas together.

What to expect:

• A cozy, neurodivergent-friendly discussion space
• Gentle structure with opt-in conversation
• Thoughtful discussion about love, community, relationships, and belonging
• Space for vulnerability, humor, differing perspectives, and personal reflection
• A welcoming environment where every voice is valued

The Deets: Lavender Library is a welcoming community discussion space centered around queer readers, lifelong learners, and meaningful conversation. Whether All About Love becomes a new favorite, challenges your perspective, or simply leaves you with more questions than answers, we'd love to explore it together.

DETAILS

📅 Date: August 20th, 2026

⏰ Time: Doors Open at 7:00 pm, Conversation 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm

📍 Location: Wicked Eden, 2912 South High ST, Columbus Ohio 43207

Tickets will be available at the door for at $5 donation.

DRESS CODE

When it comes to attire, we want to encourage comfort and expression at Wicked Eden. We want you to feel comfortable and in the mood to have an adventure! We want you to feel safe expressing yourself in whatever you desire. We encourage you to go outside your comfort zone with festive, outrageous, or fantastic clothing you never get to wear anywhere else.

VOLUNTEERS

We LOVE volunteers! Join our team of community volunteers, and you will find new friends, a support system, and a tight-knit center of empowerment. 

By volunteering with us, you can make a meaningful impact on people's lives. Still, you will also get perks such as discounted or free access to our events and classes and, most importantly, collaborative input into what we do here. Your ideas are important to us, and as a volunteer, we want you to feel like you're part of our community: one that celebrates who you are and supports your journey.

VOLUNTEER WITH US

INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY

We're committed to inclusivity. Our community is a tapestry of individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, and social backgrounds, including all gender identities and expressions. We encourage everyone to engage with empathy and curiosity, always asking rather than assuming someone's identity or preferences. Our space is and always will be wheelchair accessible, with multiple spaces for varying sensory needs.

Read more about our Rules and Community Agreements and check the FAQ too.

PLEASE NOTE: No refunds will be given on ticket purchases. The address is provided to confirmed ticket holders after purchase. Wicked Eden is located on the south side of Columbus, approximately 10 minutes from downtown, and is one block away from a COTA bus stop.

ABOUT US

The Autonomy Project is a 501(c)(3) public charity providing resources, education, advocacy, and connection for sex workers, LGBTQIA+ folks, BIPOC, and other marginalized communities. EIN 92-1587440