Gay's the Word - Index page.

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[Home Page]
[New Titles] [Gay Fiction] [Lesbian Fiction] [Non Fiction] [Coming Out, Sex & Relationships] [Gay & Lesbian History]
[Transgender] [Biography] [Children's Books] [Notice Board - Lesbian Discussion Group]
[Staff Picks] [Where to find us] [Links]

Reading is for poofs!

Gay's The Word is the largest and most comprehensive lesbian and gay bookshop in the UK. Established in 1979 and located in the historic Bloomsbury district of London, we stock an enormous range of books from the profound to the frivolous; from the liberating to the indulgent. Our fiction ranges from prize-winning literary works through to detective, romance and erotic fiction. Our non-fiction covers a wide range of issues from cutting-edge queer theory through to how to tell your mother you are gay. Our range of philosophical, political, historical and other scholarly works is unequalled in the UK. When we recommend a title, it's because we've read it and particularly enjoyed it. We are proudly independent and very much see ourselves as the friendly and non-judgemental safe-space of the gay scene.

Forthcoming Events for September
Femmes of Power
by Del LaGrace Volcano & Ulrika Dahl
Thursday 11th September 7pm

Are you a girlie-girl who likes girls?

Do you like to play with notions of gender-identity?

What is Femme? Think You Know? Think Again?

Fierce, feisty and forceful, Femmes of Power weaves interviews, analysis, testimony and amazing photography to shake awake your ideas about queer femininities. The first book of its kind, Femmes of Power is a collaboration between renowned visual artist and gender theorist Del LaGrace Volcano (author of The Drag King Book), Swedish ethnographer Ulrika Dahl and the wide variety of people profiled in the book. It unsettles the objectifying 'male' gaze on femininity and presents femmes as speaking subjects and high-heeled theorists. Look closer - these powerful, sexy and sincerely ironic feminine figures are larger than life, bravely challenging femininity's negative connotations and replacing femme invisibility with a fresh new face for femme-inism. Includes profiles of London's Bird Club, Michelle Tea, Lydia Lunch and Kate Bornstein.

This is a free event...with refreshment provided and all are welcome

How to Get Here!

Gay's The Word is located at 66, Marchmont Street in Bloomsbury, London - just a two minute walk from Russell Square Tube Station. Click on the Transport for London link below to plan your journey.

2007 was an incredibly challenging year for Gay's the Word. With the usual culprits of rising rents and the effect of internet book-buying, the bookshop found itself facing possible closure in March. Thanks to the support of authors, customers and friends we managed to raise funds to stay open and will be investing this in our long-term future in 2008. Thank-you to everyone who supported us. Quite simply we wouldn't be here without you.
Learn more. Click on these links...

The Times

The Guardian

The Independent #I

The Independent #II

News & Information

The Gay's The Word Documentary is now available to view on-line on the ITV local web-site. Simply click on the Camden area on this link to view:

Gay's The Word Documentary
On the 17th January 2008 the bookshop turned twenty-nine years of age. We are determined to have a positive and productive year leading up to our thirtieth birthday. GTW continues to be as dedicated to the well-being and spread of ideas in the queer community as it was in 1979 when our doors first opened. We are genuinely proud of our part in promoting access to what we believe is some of the most facinating and insightful literature ever produced by some of our most creative and daring minds.

Last year we enjoyed hosting some excellent book events, including Michael T. Luongo reading from Gay Travels in the Muslim World, Armistead Maupin signing copies of his new novel, Matt Cook reading from his comprehensive new landmark Gay History of Britain, Neil Bartlett reading from Skin Lane and Matt Houlbrook reading from the award-winning Queer London . In addition, the long-running and tremendously enjoyable Lesbian Discussion Group that meets every Wednesday at 8pm continues to provide a relaxed and welcoming woman-only space. See the [Notice Board - Lesbian Discussion Group] page for a list of weekly discussion topics.

If you are interested in accessing details of our stock that deals with Homophobia, Queer Youth, Lesbian and Gay Parenting or Children's books that promote diversity please either e-mail us at sales@gaystheword.co.uk, putting your topic of interest plus the word 'Review' in the subject header or, alternatively, give us a ring. We also now have Children's books listed up on this site on the [Children's Books] page.

[Home Page]
[New Titles] [Gay Fiction] [Lesbian Fiction] [Non Fiction] [Coming Out, Sex & Relationships] [Gay & Lesbian History]
[Transgender] [Gay Erotic Fiction] [Children's Books] [Notice Board - Lesbian Discussion Group]
[Staff Picks] [Where to find us] [Links]