Following the success of last year’s poetry night and open mic, we’re thrilled to present another evening of poetry celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.
Curated by Jess Orr, Hosted by Ross McFarlane and featuring guest spots from some of Scotland’s top talent: Harry Josephine Giles, Janette Ayachi, RJ Hunter and Drew Gill.
There will also be a chance to sign up on the night to take part in the open mic (limited slots available, arrive early to secure your spot).
The Portobello Tap will be serving non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks.
Featured Line Up
Harry Josephine Giles
Harry Josephine Giles is from Orkney and lives in Leith. Her latest book is Them! (Picador 2024). Her verse novel Deep Wheel Orcadia won the 2022 Arthur C. Clarke Award for science fiction book of the year. She has a PhD in Creative Writing from Stirling. Her show Drone debuted in the Made in Scotland Showcase at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe and toured internationally. www.harryjosephine.com
Janette Ayachi
Janette Ayachi is a London-born, Edinburgh-based, Scottish-Algerian poet. Quick Fire, Slow Burning is her second collection, succeeding Hand Over Mouth Music, which won the Saltire Prize for Poetry Book of the Year in 2019. Her poetry, prose & essays have been published internationally & translated into several languages. She has been Digital Poet in Residence for The Poetry School London & Visiting Poet on a Teaching Residency for the students of Arcadia University, Philadelphia.
RJ Hunter
RJ Hunter (they/she) is an award-winning writer, theatre-maker and performance poet based in Scotland. Hunter’s debut poetry pamphlet, “Flustercuck” was released in June 2023, whilst “Stupid Sexy Poem Show”, Hunter’s first full-length solo show, has been performed to sold-out crowds across the country, met with critical acclaim, including being deemed “the future voice of the medium of spoken-word” (Corr Blimey). RJ Hunter is the 2023 Loud Poets Grand Slam Champion and the Runner-Up at the Scottish Slam Championship 2024 & 2025
Drew Gill
Drew Gill emerged onto the poetry scene in Autumn of 2023, bringing with him a storied heartbreak and a deep appreciation for all things lyrical. Immersing himself in the wonderful Scottish Spoken Word Community, he found not only the perfect place to hone his craft as he weaved worlds out of the catharsis found in writing your way out of pain, but some the greatest individuals and artists one could ever have the pleasure of knowing.
Ross McFarlane - Host
Ross McFarlane is a Glaswegian poet, performer and host of many nights – writing queer stories and small moments with the delivery of a 80's hardcore band. He co-created and wrote on horror audio drama series Folxlore, winner of Best New Storytelling Production at the 2020 Audio Verse Awards, and his debut pamphlet, Life Goals of the Millennials: or The Commune Manifesto, was published by Burning Eye Books in 2022.
This is an indoor event.
Portobello Town Hall has step-free access, wheelchair accessible, accessible and gender-neutral bathrooms
We believe Pride should remain free both in cost and speech. We do not wish to create or contribute to any activity which would equate to “pink washing” (the promotion of the LGBT+ friendliness of a corporate or political entity in an attempt to downplay or soften aspects of it considered negative).
In order to make Porty Pride more accessible to those on a low income but still community-funded, we use a sliding scale ticket price for our events. You can choose what you pay based on your circumstances – you won’t be asked for any proof/ID. We just ask that you are honest!
TICKET PRICES
£25 - Solidarity ticket - I have expendable income and wish to help others attend Porty Pride events.
£15 - I am comfortably able to meet all of my basic needs and have expendable income.
£10 - I am employed and have have some expendable income.
£5 - I may stress about meeting my basic needs and have no or very limited expendable income.