Space
Artist Credit: Snail Space by Morgan Lyons (Rainbow Library member) Artist Credit: Illustration by Scar McCarthy (Rainbow Library member)
to Create The Rainbow Library
The vision for Rainbow Library is that it will be fully youth-led, with Cork County Library and Arts Services supporting them, creating and holding the safe space together. Whether you go on to be an award-winning author – although I know that some definitely will – or learn to express your creativity in a low-stress environment with like-minded peers, this is the space for you. If you are between 14 and 25 and would like to join Rainbow Library Cork or find out more, please email arts@corkcoco.ie Vision
By Maeve Mulrennan
It’s knowing that there is a place you can go once a month where people are on your side before you open your mouth. That you can have completely different perspectives and experiences and that not only just ok, but it’s respected. It’s getting to be creative, and your work being taken seriously without worrying that someone will snatch up your work and make fun of your characters’ pronouns. It’s about going to a place wearing the clothes you want and being called the name you want. It can be a quiet space, or it can be full of laughter. You can also attend online if you are too exhausted from the week, or you can’t get a lift into town because *somebody* in your family has a hurling match / maths grinds / birthday (delete or add as appropriate). It’s not a holiday though, you’ll be challenged, asked to try new writing exercises or drawing techniques you haven’t done before. But it is a place where you have choice, respect and authority – whether you chat constantly or rarely speak. It is a safe space for neurodivergent people. You can take breaks, opt out of exercises, scribble if it helps you listen, etc. It’s not a classroom, you’re not obliged to share your work. Oh, and did we mention that it’s also free? Rainbow Library is always open to new members, and there is no formal application. The only criteria are that you want to spend time working on writing and illustration and can attend a workshop once a month. You might have never written a story or drawn anything that you are happy with – that’s ok too. Sometimes people might miss a workshop or two because of exams, work or just life stuff, but they are always welcomed back. The online attendance option means that people who’ve moved away or find it difficult to be in a group environment can participate. There is a regular facilitator, Kel Menton, and guest illustrators and writers, offering different perspectives and with different creative careers. So far, the group have worked with Disco Milk, Colin O’Mahoney, Alana Daly Mulligan, James Hudson and Kip Alizadeh. In 2024 the group will be working towards their West Cork Literary Festival event and in August there will be a ‘summer camp’ week where participants can fully immerse themselves in creating new work. We also want to go and see plays, exhibitions and readings around Cork. Our zine-making course with Annie went really well so we might explore that form further.
The term ‘safe space’ can sometimes seem clichéd, or used without the full comprehension of what a safe space could or should be. When Rainbow Library Cork began in 2022, the aim was to provide a safe space for young LGBTQIA+ people interested in writing and illustrators to create new work, learn some skills and have some fun. It is for young people aged 14 – 25 living in County Cork. The group was initiated by Cork County Library and Arts Services and funded by Creative Ireland. There was also the secondary aim to support professional writers and illustrators from the LGBTQIA+ community who work with young people. There is still stigma around using the words ‘gay’ and ‘children’ too close together in a sentence, even though there are an increased number of publications with LGBTQIA+ characters who are not victims or ‘punished’ for their identity. Members of Rainbow Library Cork don’t necessarily sit around and only write or draw queer narratives – that’s not the point of the group. There is no need to self-censor, or to subtly figure out who the other members of the group are and if they are a threat. But it takes more than saying ‘this is a safe space’ for one to magically appear. It is an ongoing agreement between members and facilitators. It is the funding agency, Creative Ireland, understanding that there is a need for this group to be supported annually, and not just as a once-off tokenistic exercise. It is the Cork County Library and Arts Service platforming participants’ creativity and excellence. It is a space for members to flourish and shine rather than to be locked away, protected from harm. Since its formation, Rainbow Library has co-created an anthology as part of a large project that included groups from Northern Ireland, England and Scotland. They have given critical feedback and advice to writer Kel Menton and illustrator Kip Alizadeh on what kind of work with LGBTQIA+ characters they would like to see more of ( FYI: platonic friendships and woodland creatures are always welcome). The group have had events in the West Cork Literary Festival and the Dublin Book Festival. They have created zines with the amazing Annie Forrester, and they will be going back to West Cork Literary Festival in July. It is perhaps easy to list of a reel of achievements, but again, that is not the whole reason to be in the group. So, what is the reason?
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