Update: we are adjusting our Sunday library hours, effectively immediately. We will now be open from 2-4. If we can recruit more library volunteers we may be able to expand our hours again. Thanks for understanding!

Signal boosting this independent event from Food Not Bombs, Veterans for Peace, Speak Up for Palestine, Metro Justice, ROC DSA, PSL, RRRN, Intersectional Rochester, 50501ROC, and Indivisible.

We are re-launching Rochester's Gallery Q with our Lilac Librarian, Gerry Szymanski! His show, Man About Town: an exhibition of fine fellows, will open this Friday 6-8 pm featuring a his portraiture. You may recognize Gerry as the winner of Best of Rochester's photography category in 2010/11/12/14.

Rochester, as we close out 2026, I want to express my heartfelt thanks as I reflect on everything our community has accomplished this past year. I know it’s been incredibly difficult, but our community continues showing up and fighting back, continuing a history of Queer liberation!

Our hearts are with our Trans family locally. To the rest of our local rainbow community, we must stand up for our Trans siblings each and every day. Every Trans, gender expansive, and NB person deserves to live full, joyful lives. Work towards a day where we add no new names at TDOR.

We'll be closed this on 12/24, 12/26, 12/28, and 12/31 to give our volunteers some holiday time off! We hope you enjoy the holiday season however you celebrate!

🚨 The federal government has proposed rules that could make it impossible for transgender youth to access medically necessary care. These rules are unacceptable—and we must speak out. 📝 Submit a public comment now. bit.ly/hhscommt #ProtectTransYouth #TakeAction

The U.S. Federal government HHS under RFK Jr. is exploring multiple rules and biuld to limit access to best-practice healthcare for Transgender and Nonbinary youth. We say loud and clear that Trans and NB youth deserve access to lifesaving healthcare!

Sharing this study with LGBTQ+ patients or their caregivers from our amazing friend and researcher Charles Kamen at the University of Rochester! Let's make sure that LGBTQ+ voices are represented in research!

Excited to announce that our collaboration with the Spotted Rabbit Queer Art Club will continue in the New Year!

Thank you to everyone who donated and shared our posts yesterday! Because of you, we raised over $1,300 to support Rochester's LGBTQ+ community!

It's ROC the Day, the biggest giving day of the year! Will you consider supporting our critical community work? Roctheday.org/RocRainbowUnion Your donation will support our: -gender expansive clothing closet -Lilac Library -Food pantry -Comm. meeting space -Comm. programming -LGBTQ+ Council

In the spirit of ACT UP, we will not rest in peace while our communities still fight against a virus and government inaction.

We will be closing our library tonight and Friday night to give our volunteers some much needed time off. We'll be back on Sunday from 12-4. We hope you have a safe and happy holiday with your families, whether that's biological or chosen!

Thank you to the George Eastman Museum for once again giving us a mantle to decorate! During this season, our found family in community is just as important as our biological family. We've curated a selection of our books from our Lilac Library as well as ofrendas created by our President.

One week until the biggest giving day of the year, #ROCtheDay! We hope you'll consider supporting the Rochester Rainbow Union and Lilac Library!

Rochester Queer Comics presents the first annual holiday art and comic show!

Let us work towards a day where no new names are added on Trans Day of Remembrance.

On #TransDayOfRemembrance, we honor our trans siblings lost to fatal violence and their impact. We will not stop fighting until trans people are not just able to survive, but thrive and live safe, full, and joyful lives. May our collective grief, reflection, and action lead to a better future.

Upcoming "Know Your Rights" training on Tuesday, December 2nd from 5:30 pm to 7 pm!

Trans Day of Remembrance 📅 Thursday, November 20, 2025 🕕 6:00 – 8:00 PM 📍 MLK Park, Rochester, NY Theme: “Living Legacies: Rooted in Memory, Growing in Power” Hosted by Next Generation Men of Transition (NGMT)

"Today's decision permitting the Trump administration to deny transgender people accurate passports is not the final word on this issue. This is a preliminary ruling. We will continue to fight for safety and equality for our community." - @shannonminter5.bsky.social

We are looking for some Lilac Library volunteers! Reach out to [email protected] if interested!

Update: The South Wedge Mission has graciously offered to host our council meeting in their downstairs fellowship room!

Flash new donor special! We have some FREE tickets to Ponyboi for anyone who starts a new, sustaining, monthly donation of ANY amount! Just email us after you set up the donation through Paypal and we'll send you tickets! bit.ly/RRUDonate [email protected]

We hope you have a safe and fun Halloween!

The Lilac Library will be closed Friday, October 31st to give our volunteers a boo-tiful night off!

The government shutdown will impact food security this month. To help the community, we will have a small selection of shelf stable food items available during our open Library hours in November. As we are not a dedicated food pantry, we are also sharing information about other local resources

One week left to buy your ticket for Ponyboi!

Join us for our sober craft night this Thursday at 6 pm!

Take heart siblings! Queer liberation is at hand!

Join us for a Lilac Lecture on Friday with local author Kaeia Perez (she/her) for a discussion on how disability shows up in horror books and other media. She'll have her debut novel, Emberwomb, available for purchase!

Indigenous Peoples' Day is an opportunity for all of us in Boston to recognize the accomplishments, histories, and contributions of our Indigenous communities. We are proud to honor our Indigenous neighbors in our city and across the country. Wishing all a reflective Indigenous Peoples' Day.

NPR is highlighting Indigenous stories from across its network in celebrations of Indigenous Peoples Day. n.pr/47nGDK8

Looking for board members! Are you: -able to attend monthly board meetings -a team collaborator -have a passion for supporting our community and the unique opportunities our library and center offer -willing to utilize their networks to friend-raise and fundraise Reach out to us!

“It’s a reminder that our community has always been here, and will continue to be here, especially at this time when our communities are under attack" Honored that City Magazine wrote about our center and library along other historic Rochester LGBTQ+ institutions such as the Avenue Pub!

Weekly update!

Update: Due to unforeseen circumstances we have to reschedule Sunday's Lilac Lecture to a different date. Stay tuned for updates!

Don't miss our second Lilac Lecture of September this Sunday the 21st at 12:30 with the regal MARIE-ADÉLINA DE LA FERRIÉRE, comunity editor for EqualPride and Queen of the Kingdom of Navassa!

Don't miss our September sober Craft and Draft this Thursday from 6-8 pm! Make your own clay critters and enjoy a fall themed mocktail!

Don't miss our next Lilac Lecture on Friday, September 19th at 6:30 pm!

Want to earn a little cash and share the word about National Voter Registration Day? Visit OutVote via the QR code, join their Action Network, and complete their missions! Each participant rewarded $10 each until the allotted funds have been used until 9/17.

What does the Queer community mean to you? What does The Empty Closet mean to you? In preparation for the fall launch issue, the EC team is soliciting input from you on these questions. Answers may be printed in the re-launch issue! (answers may be edited for space)

Weekly update! Keeping it brief so you can enjoy your holiday weekend!