LGBT café event set to highlight the story of Victorian pioneer
AN LGBTQ+ community group will again head to a Peebles hub this weekend.
Café Polari, part of Scottish Borders LGBT (SBLGT) Equality, is usually held at Café Recharge in Galashiels.
However, a new venture from the charity – Travelling Café Polari – will take to the Eastgate Theatre on Saturday (April 20).
As well as running their normal café, it will also welcome local historian Mary Craig and the founder of Mother Maiden Crone CIC, alchemist Dawn Eva Berry, who will run a workshop about 19th century surgeon James Barry.
An SBLGBT Equality spokesperson said the workshop would run between 5.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday and there would be food.
Barry, who was born in Cork but travelled around the UK as an army surgeon, was a Victorian pioneer.
Detailing the ‘ReMembering James Barry: Stories from the Edge of Chaos’ workshop, a Mother Maiden Crone CIC spokesperson said: “James Barry’s life is a beacon of authenticity and courage.
“Born Margaret Anne Bulkley, Barry shattered 19th-century boundaries by living his truth in a world that didn’t understand him.
“As we uncover the layers of a person who fought to be himself against all odds, we will discover themes that still resonate deeply with many of us today.
“ReMembering James Barry is your invitation to explore, share, and reshape the collective narratives and stories we tell.
“Together, we’ll navigate the challenges of being true to ourselves and celebrate the journey towards a more inclusive and understanding future for all.
“This isn’t just history. It’s about connecting with the past to inspire our present and future.
“It’s about seeing Barry not only as a historical figure but reclaiming him as a symbol of strength and authenticity for anyone feeling out of place in the world.”
SBLGBT Equality will also hold a Café Polari drag show at Burnfoot Hub Café on Wednesday (April 24) with food and drink available from 5pm and drag acts from 6pm.
Performers will include Madame Jo Mama and Devine Tension.
The drag show is for over 18s only and will be an alcohol-free event.
For more information on all SBLGBT Equality events, visit the group’s Facebook page.