When we heard that A Different Light was shutting its doors after 30 years we are not afraid to admit that we shed a tear or two. Armistead Maupin called the store “the living room of the Castro” when he was there last November to promote his latest Tales of the City novel, and it was true.
Now that the literary institution turned gift shop is about to shut off its lights for good, where will we be able to meet-and-mingle with guys and gals who appreciate a good read before bed?
After all LGBT bookstore are more than just places to get your fix of gay literature and assortment of gay rags. They are defacto community spaces in gayborhoods worldwide. Yes, critical information is now more easily accessible than ever online, but sometimes you have to browse in person to find just what you’re (weren’t) looking for. For many of us, bookstores were the first gay spaces we felt comfortable stepping into and meeting like-minded folk. While working at A Different Light for the last two years, I would often see people from all over the country wandering in, bewildered by the variety of books, erotic videos and other merchandise they could only dream of finding in their small town.
The gay bookstore has taken a beating over the last decade. But there are still many thriving stores. Here’s a list of just a few that continue to thrive. Remember to check them out next time you are in one of these town, both for the inspiration and as a show of support for a community institution.
- Giovanni’s Room in Philadelphia
- Outwrite in Atlanta,
- Gay’s The Word in London,
- Les Mots à la Bouche in Paris,
- Libreria Nuestras Letras in Costa Rica
In the Castro, just blocks from A Different Light, Books, Inc. boasts a great selection of gay books and magazines, and we would love to see it step up even further to fulfill the void as the only bookstore in the gayest ‘hood on earth.
Note: The book club that ADL founded with Magnet will continue. The next meeting will be the last Tuesday in May.
