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Ottawa Trans Library

@ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social
426 followers 177 following 170 posts

A nonprofit library and community space by and in support of the trans community. Our hours are: Mon 3-7, Tues 12-5, Wed 3-7, Thurs 3-7, Sat 12-5. Drop in, follow us, and check our linktree for more!😊 linktr.ee/ottawatranslibrary

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Reposted by Ottawa Trans Library
sheer spite press @sheerspite.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
OTTAWA: i'll be doing two launch events for The Politics of Lonely, both on Saturday, October 24: ✨ signing at @octopusbooks.ca ✨ launch/reading/convo with @alexisshotwell.bsky.social and Adrienne Row-Smith at The Grove (location changed for capacity reasons!) sheerspite.ca/blog/2026/08...
saturday October  24 11 am - 1 pm - Ottawa Book Signing  
I'll be sitting out front of Octopus Books (116 Third Avenue at Bank St.) to sign books and chat.  Come say hi! Rain date Sunday October 25, 11-1. 

saturday October 24, 5 -7 pm
Ottawa Book Launch & Friendship Forum with Alexis Shotwell & Adrienne Row-Smith      
NEW LOCATION: The Grove,  18 Louisa Street Unit 280
fundraiser for the Ottawa Trans Library 
registration not required to order the book or anything else for pickup,  use code OTTAWALAUNCH at sheerspite.ca  :) Alexis Shotwell is a queer SF nerd, functional potter, teacher, and writer, currently living on unceded Algonquin land. Author of Against Purity: Living Ethically in Compromised Times (about why purity won’t save us) and the forthcoming Liberation is Other People (about getting together to solve big problems in which we are complicit), she is also finishing a book about Ursula K. Le Guin’s anarchism and why it’s so great.Adrienne Row-Smith (she/her) is a Queer Black visual specialist based in so-called Ottawa, working across photo and video to create bold, impactful imagery. Rooted in a deep commitment to authenticity and accessibility in media, she co-founded The Grove, which is an interdisciplinary art and community space offering affordable rentals and sliding-scale events. Through both her creative practice and community work, Adrienne aims to build a space and working body that reflects the elements of care, resistance, and belonging, where disenfranchised voices are not only heard but celebrated.Lee Arden  is the author of The Politics of Lonely: Why Is Friendship So Hard?, a book that takes friendship out of an individualistic context and argues that we’re struggling with our friendships because we live in the decaying ruins of colonial capitalism. Lee also runs the small press and zine distro Sheer Spite Press and has written lots of zines, including PALS: The Radical Possibilities of Friendship, which formed the basis for this new book.
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Vernissage Tonight!
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
October's event calendar is out! You can find our most up-to-date event details, and registration links, on our website ottawatranslibrary.ca/events
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
She needs to leave safely and seek asylum in France. Your donation goes directly toward her flights, and various essentials during the travelling and asylum process. Our goal is 4000 Euro Every Euro raised will help her. Can’t give? Please share this with people you trust. Every share helps. 💗
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Trans women there routinely face arrest, imprisonment in men’s facilities, and sexual violence while incarcerated. Time is running out: her physical changes from HRT are more and more difficult to hide. Her extremely transphobic sibling is moving back soon. We need to get her out before then!
gofund.me
Donate to Help a Trans Woman Flee Tunisia and Seek Asylum, organized by Millie V
Help Mariam Reach Safety and Asylum in France (Mariam is a pseudonym, use… Millie V needs your support for Help a Trans Woman Flee Tunisia and Seek Asylum
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
🧵 Mariam only has weeks to get out! 🏳️‍⚧️ Donate here: gofund.me/0cf528db5 Our friend Mariam (a pseudonym, to protect her) is a young trans woman in Tunisia, where being trans is criminalized.
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Come meditate with us on Mondays and Fridays at the Ottawa Trans Library! Join our facilitator for group mediation and discussion every Friday at 8pm-10pm, starting Sept 11, and every other Monday at 7:30pm-9:30pm, starting Sept 21.
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Reposted by Ottawa Trans Library
the original Aloof Wife @cpi.pinball.horse · 07/09/2026
If you have the means to make it to Canada I hope you come. American Nazism has enough victims already. Shout-out to @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social for providing essential community infrastructure for our international friends. #TransRightsAreHumanRights
Transplants peer support groupTransplants peer support group
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Tomorrow night is the first offering of Mental Health Night at the Ottawa Trans Library. On the first Saturday of each month, our facilitator seeks to provide psychoeducation on a mental health topic, followed by group discussions. For this first offering, the topic is: Depression
Poster for Mental Health Night at the Ottawa Trans Library. Black text on a white background with a dragon emerging from a brain.

The poster reads:
Mental Health Night at the Ottawa Trans Library
1st Saturday of the Month, 7pm to 9pm
Psychoeducation on mental health topics followed by group discussion
This month: Depression
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Tonight!~
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Youth Group is one of our longer running events at the Ottawa Trans Library! Youth Group is for queer/questioning youth ages 12 to 20. This autumn, join us for leaf rubbing Thursday September 24, 6pm-8pm, and Wednesday October 21, 6pm-8pm for button making and hot chocolate. Hope to see you there!
Poster with details for the autumn edition of Youth Group at the Ottawa Trans Library:

September 24, Thursday, 6-8pm
Leaf Rubbing
Bring your own leaves

October 21, Wednesday, 6-8pm
Button Making
Hot chocolate
Poster with Youth Group Information, which reads:

For queer/questioning youth ages 12-20
6pm-8pm
Located at the Ottawa Trans Library (1104 Somerset Steet W)
Location may change if there is a weather warning (check socials)

Hope to see you there
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
We added six new books and an academic journal to our collection this past month! If you have any other recommendations, let us know!! You can search our full catalogue online here: www.librarycat.org/lib/otttrans...
New books added to the Ottawa Trans Library's collection in August 2026: 

"The Body Riddle: A Novel" by Sam K. MacKinnon
"Trans Sex: A Guide for Adults" by Kelvin Sparks
"It Ain't Over til the Bisexual Speaks: An Anthology of Bisexual Voices" by Vaneet Mehta
"The Ink Witch" by Steph Cherrywell
"Transgender Studies Quarterly"New books added to the Ottawa Trans Library's collection in August 2026: 

"Maiden, Mother, Crone: Fantastical Trans Femmes" by Gwen Benaway
"When I Was Me: Moments of Gender Euphoria" by Eve Greenwood
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
HUGE shoutout to everyone who donated! We raised $2400 in just a short week!!! Thank you again Maker House!
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Reposted by Ottawa Trans Library
ATLAS Ottawa @atlasottawa.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Are you trans? Looking for a family doctor/GP in the Ottawa-Gatineau region? We probably don't need to tell you how much it sucks. Join us on Saturday, September 26, from 2:00 PM-4:30 PM at the Ottawa Trans Library (1104 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 3C8)
Are you trans? Looking for a family doctor/GP in the Ottawa-Gatineau region? We probably don't need to tell you how much it sucks. Join us on Saturday, September 26, from 2:00 PM-4:30 PM at the Ottawa Trans Library (1104 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 3C8) as we get together, chill, and work together to find family doctors for ourselves and each other. There will be snacks (vegetarian, gluten-friendly, lactose-friendly), music, and zines to help us in our search.

Hosted by the Ottawa Trans Mutual Aid Resource Navigation Working Group. If you're able, please RSVP at [ott.trans.nav@proton.me], but don't let this be an obstacle to attending. Feel free to reach out at same if you have any questions.
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
September's event calendar is out! We're excited to bring two new events to you this month: Mental Health Night and Meditation Group (more details TBA!) You can find our most up-to-date event details, and registration links, on our website ottawatranslibrary.ca/events
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
There's still time to have your donation matched! Donate here and include "maker house" in the donation message: www.paypal.com/donate/?host... Its one of the best times of the year to help make your donation go extra far with us!
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Thank you Maker House!! 😍 Maker House is once again generously matching donations up to $1000 until the end of the month! Donate via the QR code or this link: www.paypal.com/donate/?host... Make sure you include "Maker House" in the donation message so we know to count your donation in the total
Photo of the Ottawa Trans Library with text over it, which reads:

Matching Donations
Your dobation to the Ottawa Trans Library will be MATCHED (up to $1000) until Aug. 31 by Maker House Co.

DONATE HERE (next to a QR code)
Include "Maker House" in donation notes
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Reposted by Ottawa Trans Library
ATLAS Ottawa @atlasottawa.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Come join us at the fourth assembly of the year! It's going to be held on September 13th, 12:00 PM at the Good Companions Centre (670 Albert St), down the street from Pimisi station The meeting minutes for our previous assembly are available here: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Poster for the fourth OTMADA assembly of 2026

It's going to be held on September 13th, 12:00 PM at the Good Companions Centre

Please use the side door of the building (accessible through the parking lot)
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Thinking of attending a future trans mutual aid session? Maybe you've already been to one before, or just think what they're doing is really cool? They've got their own socials now! Follow them at @otmada.bsky.social and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/ottawa_trans...
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Unfortunately, due to some last minute changes to venue availability, our board game night with The Good Companions Seniors' Centre on August 26 is cancelled. We'll be back with our regularly scheduled board game nights in the library next week, starting on Thursday September 3 6pm to 9pm.
Poster for Board Game Night with the Ottawa Trans Library and Good Companions Seniors' Centre, with a large red stamp over it that reads "EVENT CANCELLED"
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Yeah we would love some! Your pins are always a big hit!
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Reposted by Ottawa Trans Library
Matt @krankykanuck.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Made these pins for this event tonight. "Let Trans Kids Play Sports" and Trans Athletes Belong in Sports". Ask me for one, they're free! @queermomentum.ca
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Tomorrow and this Tuesday, for anyone that wants to lend their musical talents to the Trans March!
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Tonight's Magic the Gathering: Commander Night is cancelled. We'll be back next month on September 19. Same registration link as always: www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticket...
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Thank you so much!
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
😍
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
August 22: Parkdale Pride Night Market at Parkdale Market (366 Parkdale Ave), 5pm-9pm August 28: Ottawa Trans March at Bank & Waverley, starting at 6pm August 29: Ottawa Dyke March at Minto Park (102 Lewis St), starting at 2:30pm With love and solidarity, from the Ottawa Trans Library (9/9)
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
In the meantime, we can’t wait to see you at these upcoming Pride celebrations: August 15: Countdown to Pride: Zine Workshop at The Good Companions Seniors' Centre (670 Albert St), 11am-2pm August 20: Transcend the Binary Resource Fair at YSB Drop-In (147 Besserer St), 1pm-5pm (8/9)
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
We are encouraged by Capital Pride’s recent efforts to gather community feedback and provide transparency on their internal operations, and we are looking forward to continued dialogue and collaboration as they work towards a more inclusive and responsive festival next year. (7/9)
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
We recognize and value the central role that Capital Pride plays in Ottawa’s queer community. (6/9)
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Palestinian queers are part of our community. BIPOC queers are part of our community. Capital Pride has lost our community’s trust. Until concrete change is made to make Palestinian and BIPOC queers feel welcome, we will not lend our name or participation to Capital Pride. (5/9)
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Queers for Palestine Ottawa has documented in detail how Capital Pride’s decisions surrounding last year’s Pride festival impacted the trust and safety of queer Palestinians and queer BIPOC in Ottawa. (4/9)
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
As it stands today, Capital Pride does not represent the Trans Library’s vision of queer/trans community and liberation. (3/9)
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
We will be joining our community at: Good Companions Seniors’ Centre Countdown to Pride Transcend the Binary Resource Fair Parkdale Pride Night Market Ottawa Trans March Ottawa Dyke March (2/9)
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Statement on Capital Pride 2026 The Ottawa Trans Library will not be formally participating in Capital Pride this year. 🧵(1/9)
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
🚨New Location Alert! 🚨 The next session of the Ottawa Transgender Mutual Aid Democratic Assembly will be held at the Good Companions Seniors' Centre on August 16th, from noon to 4pm. Come by and share ideas, join a working group, and make a difference in the lives of local trans people!
Poster for Trans Mutual Aid Network. Black text on a white background which reads: Contribute to the next session of the Ottawa Transgender Mutual Aid Democratic Assembly! Saturday August 16, Noon - 4PM

A photo of the entrance of the building is captioned with the address: Good Companions Seniors' Centre, 670 Albert Street. An arrow points to the photo with the text: New location! Air conditioned! Accessible!

A QR code in the bottom right corner has an arrow pointing to it with the text: Read our constitution to see what we're all about!
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Reposted by Ottawa Trans Library
sheer spite press @sheerspite.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
I'll be doing some launch events for my book The Politics of Lonely: Why Is Friendship So Hard?, come say hi if you can! Tour info: sheerspite.ca/lonelytour/ The book (out September 10!): bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
Fri/Sat Sep 11-12: tabling at the Halifax Art Book Fair 
Sun Sep 13, 6:30 – 8 pm: Book launch at Venus Envy, Halifax (with guest Jeff Miller)
Friday, September 18, 6-8 pm: book launch at n’etait-ce pas l’ete, Montreal (with guests Wai-Yant Li and Andi Vicente) 
Sat/Sun Sep 26/27: exhibiting at Word on the Street, Toronto
Saturday Oct 24, 11 am – 1 pm: book signing outside Octopus Books, Ottawa (rain date Sunday Oct 25)
Saturday Oct 24, 5-7 pm: book launch at Ottawa Trans Library (with guests Adrienne Row-Smith and Alexis Shotwell)
Jan 23: Toronto book launch, guests and details TBA

To come: Online book launch, maybe Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Victoria events if I can get a grant lol
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
We're excited to have our next Zine Workshop at The Good Companions Seniors' Centre on August 15 We'll be upstairs 11am-2pm working on the Dragonflyer, but we encourage other projects too! Sounds like Ten Oaks will be downstairs with some fun activities and a movie after 👀 Double feature anyone?
Poster for a zine workshop event with two hands forming a heart over a rainbow background. The poster reads:

Ottawa Trans Library
Zine Workshop
11am to 2pm - Saturday, August 15
Held at the Good Companions Seniors' Centre
670 Albert Street
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
This month we're pulling out some of the local archives and highlighting books by trans authors who live, or have lived, in Ottawa Its a perfect time to come see some local trans history! We have plenty of books and zines from current and former Ottawans, binders of archived work, even a few DvDs!!
"Cheeky Charlie: Learns About Gender" by Anne Lowthian-Rickert
"Soar, Adam, Soar" by Rick Prashaw
"Accept Yourself or Die: From Mormon Missionary to Trans Punk" by Imogen Reid
"Phantomtits. Volume 1" by Cara Tierney
"The Girl Who Was Convinced Beyond All Reason That She Could Fly" by Sybil Lamb"Molly & Pyxxy Be Gay and Do Crimes" by Sybil Lamb
"Weaving the World: A Tapestry of Eclectic Verse" by Rupert Raj
"Nonmonogamy and Neurodiversity" by Alyssa Gonzalez
"Survey of Trans in the Media 1991 to 2003" compiled by Tara Sypniewski
"Summer Shade" by Lee Pepper"The Ottawa Trans Walk" by The public Queers Collective
"One Sunny Afternoon: A memoir of Trauma and Healing" by Rowan Jette Knox
"Dancing the Dialectic: True Tales of a Transgender Trailblazer" by Rupert Raj
"Joanne Law Archive" by Joanne Law
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Join us for the launch of The Politics of Lonely: Why Is Friendship So Hard?, and a conversation about friendship and community-building! Come by Saturday October 24, 5-7pm for a conversation with Lee of @sheerspite.bsky.social, Adrienne Row-Smith, and @alexisshotwell.bsky.social
Book launch poster for The Politcs of Lonely by Lee Arden, it reads:

Ottawa Book Launch & Friendship Forum

Why is it so hard to show up for each other the ways we want to? And how can we build a more interconnected world?

Saturday October 24, 5-7pm
Ottawa Trans Library
1104 Somerset Street West
With Lee Arden, Adrienne Row-Smith, Alexis Shotwell
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Thanks for pointing that out, our Instagram notifications have been weird lately
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
We added two new books to our catalogue in July: Estro Junkies by @taliabhatt.itch.io and Sexuality Beyond Consent: Risk, Race, Traumatophilia by @avgi.bsky.social If you have any other recommendations, let us know!! You can search our full catalogue online here: www.librarycat.org/lib/otttrans...
New Books July 2026

"Estro Junkies" by Talia Bhatt and Beth Leigh-Ann
"Sexuality Beyond Consent : Risk, Race, Traumatophilia" by Avgi Saketopoulou
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
We're excited to host another vernissage for amazing trans artists at the Ottawa Trans Library! Join us August 7th at 6:30pm to celebrate Azka Ahmed (they/them). Full artist statement and bio at: ottawatranslibrary.ca/event/vernis...
Inviting In: Solo exhibition by Azka Ahmed
Vernissage: August 7, 6:30 to 8:30
A Living Portrait Archive: Featuring gender-diverse BIPOC in the fullness of their identities
Displayed August 1st - 31st at Ottawa Trans Library, 1104 Somerset St W
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
We've surpassed what our old calendar fits, so join us as we try to figure out a new way to present all our programming to you lovely people! (and maybe come to an event or two 💜) You can find our most up-to-date event details, and registration links, on our website ottawatranslibrary.ca/events
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
We would love that! Especially if we were able to get some with pronouns that our patrons have (anecdotally) mentioned are harder to find (e.g., any/all, it/its, fae/faer, iel) on top more "traditional" pronouns (he/him, she/her, they/them)
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Registration for the next Trans Lifedrawing is up! Thursday, August 13th from 6pm to 8pm Register at the following link or via our Linktree: www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticket... Reminder: life drawing features NUDE models, and takes place at the AIDS Committee of Ottawa building at 19 Main St
Poster of a bearded stick figure being drawn by another stick figure with an easel, in front of trans flag.

Text Reads: Trans Lifedrawing! Thursday Aug 13th at 6pm. More info here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/lifedrawing-with-the-ottawa-trans-library
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Thank you so much!! The book made its way over to us this morning 💜
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Thanks for letting us know!
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Reposted by Ottawa Trans Library
Matt @krankykanuck.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Many thanks to NOBRO for donating all the money from last night's pin sales to @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social and for shouting out the library during their set and encouraging people to buy buttons to support the library.
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Ottawa Trans Library @ottawatranslibrary.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Its that time again! Soup Night is just 7 days away Once again, we'll be at The Good Companions Seniors' Centre at 670 Albert St for our monthly potluck-style event. See you there!
Poster for the Ottawa Trans Library's soup night, in the shape of a soup can

Last Friday of THIS Month from 5:30pm to 8pm at The Good Companions Senior's Centre
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