It's time for Lavender Café & Bookstore to launch! The world needs more LGBTQ+ led bookstores, especially in the South, and Lavender will be more than just a bookstore in New Orleans - it will be a cultural hub for our communities.
Lavender will be a vitally needed third space where youth can be inspired by books that are banned in their libraries, new friends can connect over mocktails and their latest favorite read, and where LGBTQ+ authored words and stories can help our community heal and find power. Library censorship laws continue to advance on the state and national levels and there are far too few LGBTQ+ bookstores. Libraries and bookstores (including LGBTQ+ led ones) literally saved my life, as they have so many others. Lavender will be one of those oases, providing a space that connects community through literature, food, and art. I need your help to make it a reality.
I am putting together my initial merchandise designs with original art, as well as my initial book inventory and mobile pop-up equipment. So, I'm asking the community to help out by making some donations in exchange for being the FIRST to receive some of the original designs I'm cooking up for Lavender Cafe & Bookstore. Each donation gets you a unique thank you, including custom printed bookmarks, t-shirts, and art prints that you will only be able to get through Lavender. The designs celebrate LGBTQ+ community, liberation, and literature so you're bound to love them. *sorry, that wordplay was just lying there*
Every donation here goes directly to helping Lavender create a third space that champions our community's stories, culture, and joy. Funds raised will help me screen print (with local printers) our initial custom-designed merchandise, build our mobile pop-up setup, and stock our first inventory. Our launch event is October 4th 2-4 pm at the Allways Lounge, so I am keeping this a quick and focused campaign. And, really, this is more of a kickstarter where each donation is getting you a fabulous perk of early access to Lavender's merchandise (and includes shipping)!
If by chance you made it here and don't know who I am.... Hi! I'm Kyle DeVries, a longtime LGBTQ+ community organizer, advocate, and cultural producer. My whole adult life has been about building spaces like Lavender. I've founded and run a LGBTQ+ retreat center, helped nonprofits raise money and awareness, and am the founding board president of the New Orleans Pride Center. I also LOVE books! I've been a bookworm my whole life. I truly do believe in their power to save and transform lives. We need more of that right now - it's a big part of why we need Lavender.
So, please make a donation (and get some gorgeous merch) if you can. I'm only doing this fundraising campaign for two weeks - that October 4th event is coming up quick! And, if you're in New Orleans, please join us for the Lavender launch on Sunday October 4th. It's called Read Me, Baby: a Banned Book Cabaret - you just know it's going to be a fabulous time.
Oh, and please share all of this with any of your friends who would love it! Lavender is just getting started so word of mouth is critical right now. Thank you so much! Stay well read and fabulous!
Join us at Read Me, Baby! on Sunday October 4th if you're in New Orleans!
KEEP SCROLLING TO SEE ALL OF THE FABULOUS PERKS YOU COULD GET!
Perks
Choose from one of two of our wooden bookmark designs: one featuring a quote from Oscar Wilde and the other a quote from Dolly Parton. These bookmarks measure 2" x 6" and will come with rounded corners and a tassel (not shown in this pic as it's just a mockup). Designed in house and printed in the US, get your book love on with these gorgeous wooden bookmarks.
Be one of the first people to EVER wear Lavender's in-house designed t-shirts! Choose from one of two designs: one featuring Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, and one with "Joy is Resistance" in gold metallic glitter ink. Both are being screen printed locally in New Orleans and will be limited edition. We will get you your size and shipping is included.
You choose one of each! Choose one screen printed t-shirt and one wooden bookmark. Both will be shipped to you at no extra cost.
Receive a hand screen printed, limited edition 18" x 20" fine art print of the Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson design. This will be locally screen printed using the finest inks and archival paper, then signed, numbered, and mailed to you. You will feel revolutionary and sophisticated all at the same time!
You get the limited edition fine art print, choice of one t-shirt (both locally screen printed), and choice of one wooden bookmark. The Deluxe Package. You get to rock your bookishly rebellious spirit on the wall, in your books, and on your body.
You want it all and you deserve it all! Get the fine art print, BOTH t-shirts, BOTH wooden bookmarks, AND a special surprise gift (AKA extra lucky pre-release Lavender designed gift!). Plus, know that you are MAJORLY helping a LGBTQ+ led bookstore and cafe start up in the South where it's needed most.
Get a custom printed thank you postcard mailed right to your door with a special thank you message from me!
Highlights
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Choose from one of two of our wooden bookmark designs: one featuring a quote from Oscar Wilde and the other a quote from Dolly Parton. These bookmarks measure 2" x 6" and will come with rounded corners and a tassel (not shown in this pic as it's just a mockup). Designed in house and printed in the US, get your book love on with these gorgeous wooden bookmarks.
Be one of the first people to EVER wear Lavender's in-house designed t-shirts! Choose from one of two designs: one featuring Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, and one with "Joy is Resistance" in gold metallic glitter ink. Both are being screen printed locally in New Orleans and will be limited edition. We will get you your size and shipping is included.
You choose one of each! Choose one screen printed t-shirt and one wooden bookmark. Both will be shipped to you at no extra cost.
Receive a hand screen printed, limited edition 18" x 20" fine art print of the Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson design. This will be locally screen printed using the finest inks and archival paper, then signed, numbered, and mailed to you. You will feel revolutionary and sophisticated all at the same time!
You get the limited edition fine art print, choice of one t-shirt (both locally screen printed), and choice of one wooden bookmark. The Deluxe Package. You get to rock your bookishly rebellious spirit on the wall, in your books, and on your body.
You want it all and you deserve it all! Get the fine art print, BOTH t-shirts, BOTH wooden bookmarks, AND a special surprise gift (AKA extra lucky pre-release Lavender designed gift!). Plus, know that you are MAJORLY helping a LGBTQ+ led bookstore and cafe start up in the South where it's needed most.
Get a custom printed thank you postcard mailed right to your door with a special thank you message from me!
