iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 21/05/2026

🚨 BOOKS SPOTTED 🚨 📖 Alter Egos, Bad Betty Press 🔖 The Dizziness of Freedom, Bad Betty Press 📖 Neuroqueer by @cjdebarra.bsky.social, Global Words Press 🔖 Why I Am Not A Bus Driver by Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Bad Betty Press 📖 The Dressing-Up Box by David Constantine, @commapress.bsky.social

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Fergus Murray @oolong.co.uk · 07/04/2026

Someone needs to pull together an event with all the former music/culture journalists who have now realised they're neurodivergent and are mostly writing about that instead. e.g. @cjdebarra.bsky.social, @pennykiley.bsky.social, Aimee Cliff... I'm nearly sure I'm missing someone else!

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Tarot Interviews @tarotinterviews.com · 21/02/2026

Finbarre spent time with CJ DeBarra (@cjdebarra.bsky.social) talking about queer Nottingham history and how local stories can transform a city. #tarot #nottingham #queer #history #lgbtq

open.substack.com

Chat #23 - CJ DeBarra

"Queer stories very much vary from place to place"

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Roy Manterfield @mumblingnerd.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

“As I’ve adopted the city, and it me, I’ve become fiercely protective of it.” By the wonderful @cjdebarra.bsky.social, a journalist and author of Neuroqueer, Queer Nottingham 1960-1990 and Queer Nottingham 1991-2020, and founder of Notts Queer History Archive.

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Rich 🏳️‍🌈 @frostyxbear.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

LGBTQ+ History month 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️❤️ I’m starting with this book all about queer history in my home city 😍 by @cjdebarra.bsky.social

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

I have to admit I’m not really using this account! Please find me at - www.instagram.com/cjdebarra?ig... if you want to reach me.

A non binary person raising an eyebrow. They have red hair tied up, a black dress and dangly skull earrings

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Fergus Murray @oolong.co.uk · 09/11/2025

So I chaired a panel at Edinburgh's Radical Book Fair yesterday, about #WeirdPride and unruliness, with two fantastic queer, neurodivergent, nonbinary writers and activists: @acaciathorns.bsky.social and @cjdebarra.bsky.social. I loved hearing their thoughts on this. www.youtube.com/live/vTW_j-H...

youtube.com

Divergent: Weird pride, unruliness & outsider wisdom [Radical Book Fair]

YouTube video by Lighthouse Bookshop

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Fergus Murray @oolong.co.uk · 06/11/2025

This year's Edinburgh Radical Book Fair has started! On Saturday at 4pm, I'm chairing 'Divergent: Weird pride, unruliness & outsider wisdom' with @cjdebarra.bsky.social and @acaciathorns.bsky.social (frank r. jagoe can't attend in person, unfortunately). #WeirdPride @lighthousebks.bsky.social

Flyer-style image for the event, 'Divergent: Weird pride, unruliness & outsider wisdom', party of Edinburgh's Radical Book Fair.
Date: Saturday 8th November

Venue: Assembly Roxy, 2 Roxburgh Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9SU

Time: 4.30-5.30pm.

The flyer shows the covers of of CJ De Barra's 'Neuroqueer: A Neurodivergent Guide to Love, Sex, and Everything In Between' and 'Significant Others, a collection of texts by Frank Jagoe'.

The background shows leaves of gingko, perhaps the weirdest of all trees, and an image of hands cupping a source of ornate smoke.

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Fergus Murray @oolong.co.uk · 24/10/2025

I'll be chairing this event in a couple of weeks! Very exciting. I've always loved the Radical Book Fair, and it's great to see a #WeirdPride event I didn't organise myself! 😁 Just digging into the books now. Not sure why or how I didn't come across @cjdebarra.bsky.social's book sooner!

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

The Queer Nottingham 1960-1990 book launch happened last night and it was INCREDIBLE. I cannot get over seeing so many wonderful LGBTQ+ people in one room celebrating our history. It was gorgeous. Roll on book launch - Queer Nottingham 1990-2020 in Feb! So overwhelmed in the best possible way

Cj a blue haired non binary person is standing delivering a talk at a microphone

A big crowd of people seated facing the windows of the library. There are speakers in front of the window in the distance

A row of Queer Nottingham books at the Five Leaves pop up stall

A close up of some people seated laughing and smiling. They are watching something in the distance

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Natalie O'Regan @natalieoregan.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Why isn't Naloxone, a life saving tool not more widely available in Ireland #SpeirGorm #DrugSky www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...

rte.ie

Surviving a drug overdose: report

Brian O’Connell, RTÉ Reporter

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

I am delighted to announce that the Queer Nottingham Book launch will happen at Central Library on Sep 18th Therer will be author Q&A, slideshows, quiz, displays, stalls from Sparrows Nest and Notts Queer History Project, DJ and a bookshop! Ticket- fiveleavesbookshop.co.uk/events/queer...

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Took a break this month to finally have my wedding reception back home in Cork…. I cannot wait to get the photos back but it was such an incredible day. To have our friends and family around us was everything. Not to mention, on the 10th anniversary of Marriage Equality in Ireland

Two non binary people in wedding outfit are kissing on a beach.

Two non binary people in wedding outfits are raising their hands in a congratulatory gesture after getting married in a garden

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Had a blast talking about historical trans life at Deptford Lounge last night 🏳️‍⚧️ It was a brand new talk which I was so excited to do. It also raised £150 for trans charities too which is awesome. 🩷🩵🤍

A tall NB person wearing a black tshirt with white writing that’s says notts queer history archive is standing against a tv in a grey room

A tall NB person wearing a black tshirt with white writing that’s says notts queer history archive is standing in a beer garden

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

Look at this lovely display! A big thank you to One More Chapter for having me today 🩷 I had a blast speaking with everyone and doing a reading! I’m always nervous reading from a book with a LOT of naughty words but today felt really fun 📚

A blue and white cover of a book. There are six books on the counter along with a sign that announces a local author - Cj DeBarra. The book is Neuroqueer: a neurodivergent guide to love, sex and everything in between

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

I had a complete blast at Mayo Pride! 🏳️‍⚧️🌈 It was lovely to celebrate love and resistance - while running a really fun writing workshop! This is seriously one of the best Prides I have been to in years. My soul needed that 🩷 #PrideMonth

A person with blue hair holding a book. They are wearing a black tshirt that says Bród on it. They are standing outside a bright yellow bookshop in Mayo

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Ten entire years since Marriage equality in Ireland Good lord how times have flown. I never thought I would get married let alone be legally able. So ten years later I proposed in Ireland and will have my wedding reception at home in West Cork. 🩷🏳️‍⚧️🌈🍸

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

No one is enjoying the garden or bank holiday more than this tiny cat right now…..

A small tortoise shell cat is sitting in the grass in the sun

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Arthur Webber 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 @bernietranders.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

Parliament is going to have a debate on self-ID on 19th May. If your MP is supportive of trans rights, it’s really important that you write to them to ask them to be there. The transphobes will turn out in force - we need to make sure allies do too.

A screenshot of an email that says:

Dear Arthur Webber,

Parliament is going to debate the petition you signed – “Allow transgender people to self-identify their legal gender.”.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/701159

The debate is scheduled for 19 May 2025.

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A Demon Named Sam Kurd @samkurd.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

Filmmaker friends! Beeston Film Festival is open for submissions again! Super Early Bird prices until June 30th! Submit your shorts here! filmfreeway.com/BeestonFilmF...

filmfreeway.com

Beeston Film Festival

The biggest international Top 100 Best Reviewed 5-star short film festival in the Midlands! Now entering our 12th year, we pride ourselves on championing...

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

I had a blast being on the panel with so many lovely people @vaginamuseum.bsky.social this Sat. Thank you so much to @lucywebster.bsky.social for having me. It was a joy to talk disabilty, s3x and more! More events like this please! #QueerJoy

A panel event in a cozy, industrial-style space. Five speakers sit in a row in front of a seated audience. From left to right on the panel: a person in a power wheelchair wearing a white shirt and green pants; a person with purple hair and glasses in a sleeveless black top; a person with curly black hair in a black dress; a person with short blue hair in a green velvet suit, speaking into a microphone; and a person with curly blonde hair wearing a black top and green trousers. In the audience, people sit closely together on chairs and cushions. One person is kneeling, playing with a dog. The room is warmly lit with fairy lights and a small table with a vase of dried flowers. The background features a blue metal shutter and an emergency exit door.

A group of six people standing together, smiling at the camera against a dark background with a white panel behind them. From left to right: a person with short hair wearing a patterned shirt and jeans; a person using a power wheelchair, wearing a white shirt, green pants, pink shoes, and a pink crossbody bag; a person with purple hair, glasses, and a sleeveless black top; a person with curly black hair wearing a sheer black dress, holding a black cane and handbag; a person with short blue hair wearing a green velvet suit and a white T-shirt; and a person with curly blonde hair, glasses, a black top, and green trousers. The atmosphere feels joyful and proud.

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NottsLGBT+ Network @nottslgbt.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

We are here for you, if you need us. Our phone lines are open every week. Reach out for support. Tel: 0115 934 8485 (Mon to Fri - 7pm to 9pm) or Text to chat: 07481 344040 or Email us: info@nottslgbt.com or check out our website: www.nottslgbt.com #Trans ##transgender #transrights ##nonbinary

Reach out. Trans flag heart shaped with you are loved text in the middle. Call us: 0115 934 8485. Mon to Fri - 7pm to 9pm. Nottslgbt+ Network Since 1975. www.nottslgbt.com

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🩷 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🤍 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🩵 Trans rights are human rights Trans women are women Trans men are men Non binary people exist Solidarity with everyone feeling today’s ruling.

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the Mountain Goats @themountaingoats.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

if you are a cis person it costs you nothing to just say today that you see & hear your trans sisters & brothers & others over in the UK today -- and around the world, too, knowing that rulings like today's ripple out in ugly ways.

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Hedge Wizardly 🌱🌈 @hedgewizardly.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

JKR funded the campaign group behind all this btw. This is why we beg you to stop engaging with Harry Potter media.

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

Some personal news 🥹 I’m delighted to announce that a small while ago- Jessica Kingsley publishers approached to me to produce a book on Neuroqueer relationships and dating…..and I’ve said yes! 💍

Cj is a purple haired person hiding behind a copy of their book - Neuroqueer. They are in a bookshop

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

I’ve had an influx of lovely Neuroqueer folk in the past few hours which is amazing! I’m a NQ NB queer author who wrote a book on ADHD, s3x and relationships! Neuroqueer: a neurodivergent guide to love, s3x and everything in between is available in shops and online amzn.eu/d/eciUKF2 #neuroqueer

amzn.eu

NeuroQueer: A Neurodivergent Guide to Love, Sex, and Everything in Between: Amazon.co.uk: DeBarra, CJ: 9781911227236: Books

Buy NeuroQueer: A Neurodivergent Guide to Love, Sex, and Everything in Between by DeBarra, CJ (ISBN: 9781911227236) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

Love wins. In spite of it all…..🏳️‍⚧️🌈🥹 Don’t let them ever tell you otherwise #Neuroqueer

A non binary person wearing a long dark green gown outside an archive in wales. This person is raising their arms in pure joy

Two gender fluid people are standing together celebrating their wedding. One had long purple hair and the other short brown hair. Both are wearing dark green clothing. They are outside an archive

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

I can’t quite believe I’m getting married tomorrow…..It doesn’t feel real if I’m honest! In a good way. Dress sorted Hair…okayish Make up packed Shoes not broken in yet 🥴 Incredibly- I’m getting married in an archive!!! #lgbt

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Ryan Marino, MD @ryanmarino.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

Dear media, please stop saying AI is “training” on copyrighted works. AI is “stealing” copyrighted works. It is “plagiarizing” copyrighted works. It is “breaking multiple laws.”

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Sídhe Press @sidhepress.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

We are still open for submissions until 10th March, the theme is GRIEF. Please read the submission guidelines here: sidhe-press.eu/submissions/ We are looking forward to reading your work! #Poetry #CNF #Anthology

media.tenor.com

a woman is reading a book while sitting on a bed in a black and white photo .

Alt: a woman is reading a book while sitting on a bed in a black and white photo .

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Notts TV @nottstv.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Papplewick Pumping Station is hopeful of being removed from a heritage ‘at risk’ list following a restoration project. 🗒️Full story: nottstv.com/papplewick-p...

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Rianna Lobo @riannalobo.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Journalist and author @cjdebarra.bsky.social brought the Notts Queer History Archive to Sheffield's Central Library last Wednesday, highlighting the lived experiences of queer people in Nottingham through the ages. Read the story here👇 sheffieldwire.co.uk/index.php/20... #queerhistory #lgbtqia

sheffieldwire.co.uk

The Notts Queer History Archive comes to Sheffield's Central Library - Sheffield Wire

The Notts Queer History Archive is an oral history project that began in 2022, highlighting the lived experiences of old and young LGBTQIA+ people in Nottingham.

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Absolutely do not recommend the back of the thigh for a tattoo….. ….however I love this piece from Green Witch tattoo in Worcester at Rings and Needles. Absolutely love it. #tattoo

A tattoo of a pumpkin sitting on three books

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

Book tattoos, books and chips. The best weekend away. Even if the tattoo HUrT. The back of the thigh lives up to its reputation as a horrible spot to get tattooed. Spending a weekend in Worcester with the wife. It’s been so much fun amid a difficult time.

A tattoo of a pumpkin resting on a stack of books

A copy of the book - gateway to heaven by Claire summerskill sitting on a bar table with a purple highlighter and a glass of wine .

A cone of fries- Belgium style! There is a small pot of garlic mayo to the side. This is because the bar is Belgium themed

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Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Unregistered children's homes are illegal, but councils are using them more than ever amid a shortage of placements. I submitted an FOI to find out how much Nottm City Council spends on these homes: £15 million in 3 years. nottstv.com/nottingham-c...

nottstv.com

Nottingham City Council spending millions placing vulnerable children in unregistered homes – Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

I had a blast @housmansbookshop.bsky.social this week talking about #Neuroqueer 📚🏳️‍⚧️🌈 I can’t wait to get stuck into more events this year Support independent bookshops and authors ➡️ housmans.com/product/neur...

A tall person with purple hair in a ponytail is wearing a blue velvet suit and standing in the middle of a bookshop. They are holding a copy of their book Neuroqueer

A tall person with purple hair in a ponytail is wearing a blue velvet suit and standing in the middle of a bookshop. They are sitting on a wooden chair next to their book Neuroqueer

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Hongwei Bao (he/him) @queercomrades.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Delighted to learn that Queering the Asian Diaspora (@sage 2024) is available in @queerbritain.bsky.social. Thank @cjdebarra.bsky.social for spotting it.

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

I’m off to @housmansbookshop.bsky.social tomorrow to celebrate all things Neuroqueer! Still a last chance to grab a ticket and come chat about neurodiversity, ADHD, love and relationships. 🌈🏳️‍⚧️🍸 housmans.com/event/book-t...

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Matthew Hodson @matthewhodson.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Keith Haring died of AIDS aged 31 on 16 Feb 1990. One of his last works, Unfinished Painting, was deliberately incomplete, reflecting the devastating, unquantifiable loss to the arts due to AIDS. #LGBTplusHistoryMonth

A square canvas. Only the top corner is filled with Harings distinctive figures, rendered in Lavender, the rest is blank.

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Heaven! I’m sitting watching what looks like light snow fall, while wrapped in a fleece blanket reading. I love that this house offers me the silence and space to do this.

A person’s legs on which a book rests. They are facing a big window which looks out onto the yard. Their hand rests on the book

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

My valentines. Both of them. I am a lucky human. Last Valentine’s Day before I marry this wonderful human 🩷#ValentinesDay

A small yet furious cat and their owner sitting on a couch

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Ciara | Ciaraíoch 🎨 @ciaraioch.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

The menstrual cycle can be divided into 3 parts: (a) That Man Is A Ride, (b) That Man Would Be A Great Husband, And A Loving Father To Our Many Children, and (c) All Men Must Be Sacrificed And Fed To The Eight-Legged Mother Spinster, Szlúrâk, While We Dance Naked To Their Screams

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Trade @wearetradehealth.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

Tomorrow is the start of National HIV Testing Week. We will be offering rapid HIV tests from the Trade office (27 Bowling Green Street, Leicester LE1 6AS) from 10.00 - 4.30pm. Come in for a test, a cuppa, and a chat.

National HIV Testing Week, 10 - 16 February 2025

Drop-in HIV testing at Trade Office, 10am - 4.30pm

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Jake Orr @jakeorr.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Got to see Beautiful Thing on the big screen. Had forgotten how brilliantly funny it was. Great to see it and have a talk beforehand delivered by @cjdebarra.bsky.social on 90s LGBT+ Nottingham.

A cinema with a screen lit up showing two boys in school colours. A title of ‚beautiful thing‘

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Working Classicists @workingclassicists.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

How not to write a headline 🫥

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PARIAH PRESS 🍷 @pariahpress.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Full house tonight for @lindenarchives.bsky.social at the wonderful #Nottingham Central #Library With thanks to @cjdebarra.bsky.social at the Notts #Queer Archive, and the library staff. And to everyone that turned out! #LGBTQ+ #BookLaunch #ArtistTalk

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Broadway cinema killing me with the Carole King tracks today. My mum loved her. I would give anything for her to be here having a coffee listening with me. Funny how grief ambushes you

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Michael Hennessy 🇨🇦 @mrhennessy.com · 05/02/2025

Here's the latest on the #SupportingArtists page (wp.me/P9jBxx-8g) - NeuroQueer: A Neurodivergent Guide to Love, Sex, and Everything in Between by @cjdebarra.bsky.social! Hook me up with your fav works by trans, non-binary & genderfluid artists.♥️🙏 #booksky #writingcommunity #art #scriptsky #filmsky

Screenshot of NeuroQueer: A Neurodivergent Guide to Love, Sex, and Everything in Between by CJ DeBarra as it appears on the #SupportingArtists page.

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👽☄️CJ De Barra 💀👻 @cjdebarra.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

Happy #LGBTHistoryMonth! It’s off to a great start with lots of events Feb 6th - Stuart Linden visits Central Library to share the stories behind his archive of photos (very few tickets left!) Feb 8th - Fortune & Glory screen A Beauiftul Thing + a talk from me on 90’s Notts (tickets available)

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