Ancient Myths & Legends Without Men: In Conversation with Mara Gold

As part of Queer History Club we invite you to join Mara Gold and discuss her fabulous new feminist history, Ancient Myths and Legends Without Men!

Mythology is malleable - it can often reveal more about history than historical facts due to the way these stories have been used (and abused) over time, particularly for underrepresented communities whose histories have not been recorded. Many women and LGBTQIA+ people have historically looked to myths and legends to see themselves reflected in culture, and we have built our own heritage in the absence of recorded history. Ancient Myths and Legends Without Men celebrates this heritage by tracing how stories about women and gender non-conforming people have evolved, both helping and hindering our quest for equality. This book not only highlights how mythology has become an integral part of feminist and queer histories but also reveals the pervasive influence of myths and legends in contemporary popular culture, from queer activism to anime. Myths have never been told from a politically neutral perspective, so it’s about time they are told through an unashamedly feminist and queer lens.

Mara will be in conversation with historian Kit Heyam and will be reading from her book Ancient Myths & Legends Without Men, which will be available to purchase at the event.

Mara Gold is currently completing a DPhil in Classical Languages and Literature at St. Hilda’s College, University of Oxford. Mara specialises in women’s classical reception and scholarship, in relation to modern concepts of gender, sexuality and feminism. She also has postgraduate degrees in Modern History, Theatre and Archaeology. She is a freelance museum researcher and outreach professional, and has worked on gender, sexuality and disability projects at the V&A, Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers. As the researcher for the National Lottery Funded ‘Beyond the Binary’ project, she worked with museum objects to tell queer stories through mythology and folklore. 

Kit Heyam is a Leeds-based heritage practitioner, trans awareness trainer, academic and author of Before We Were Trans.

Date: Sunday 9th November 2025
Time: 5-7pm
Venue: The Bookish Type, 77a Great George Street, LS1 3BR

Tickets are on a sliding scale (£8 /£5 / £3 / £0)

Please be honest about your financial situation when selecting what to pay for your ticket. If you purchase a ticket at the lowest end of the scale when you could afford the higher ticket prices, it makes it harder for us to provide financial flexibility to those who most need it.

• £8 "I have more than enough to comfortably meet my basic financial needs and can afford to contribute a little extra to support access for others."
• £5 "I am comfortably able to meet all of my basic financial needs."
• £3 "I may stress about meeting my basic financial needs but still regularly achieve them."
  
• £0 "I have no disposable income to afford the event"

Tickets are only refundable up to 7 days before the event starts. Please email to cancel.

----------------------

Access Info

The shop has an 8cm step but we have a ramp we can put in place if required.
There is a downstairs bathroom with toilet and hand basin.
There is a range of seating including chairs that are armless with padded seats and backs, armless sofa, bench with cushions.
Face masks are encouraged but not required; an H13 HEPA  air purifier will be in use. 
On street parking available (charges may apply).
Please email in advance if you have any specific access needs: thebookishtypeleeds@gmail.com