Circa relates the iconic London LGBT bookshop’s history, significance and continued struggle for survival in its 30th year.
Once upon a time in the late 70’s an ambitious, geeky, literate and politically left-wing group called Gay Icebreakers got together and decided to open the UK’s first ever gay bookshop. Founder, Ernest Hole, wanted to choose a name that beamed out across a then still largely prejudiced society and declared “we’re here, we’re queer, we’re staying and, look…now we’re getting smart about it, too.” Taken from the title of a 1950’s Ivor Novello musical, it may sound a little provincial today, but Gay’s the Word was more than just the name for a bookshop; it was a pioneering statement of deliberate visibility in days dark with prejudice. GTW was to be a lighthouse of ideas in a time when we were more used to doing our thinking in closets.
After overcoming initial resistance, premises were eventually leased in Bloomsbury near Russell Square tube and, in 1979, the bookshop opened. As the music of the 80’s began to spill out of the gay underground and into the charts, GTW was busy importing vast quantities of books from the States. Some shipments were even deemed just too dangerous - and burned at the docks on arrival. But, in the boxes that did make it through, there hitchhiked along a curiosity about literature that spoke directly to gay people and what matters to us most. Armistead Maupin’s books became hugely popular at the shop long before they were published in the UK. Word spread and GTW grew into a hub of community support, information and learning. Soon it seemed the world had noticed. And some didn’t like it.
On 10 April 1984 HM Customs & Excise mounted a large-scale raid on the shop. Government officials seized thousands of pounds worth of books - works by the likes of Tennessee Williams, Gore Vidal and Jean Genet. After also having their homes raided, GTW Directors were then charged under the Obscene Publications Act.Funds were raised, a defence campaign was mounted and the case fought in the High Court. Questions were asked in the House of Commons and the case finally collapsed, all charges dropped. Gay publishing and media continued to flourish. GTW developed its range, offering one of the most comprehensive selections of gay books in Europe.
The 1990s saw a transformation in the market. However poorly stocked, the big chains trialled gay sections in their shops and then internet book-buying swept to dominance. GTW was no longer the only place to buy gay books. Out of vogue and off the well-beaten Soho path, it had played its part in inspiring a new age, and, now, it would seem, was to fall victim to it. As enlightenment about sexuality grew, sales fell and in today’s highly competitive market, money soon got too tight to mention. Nothing lasts forever, but with all the gay teenagers still coming in desperate for help and advice, staff had a nagging feeling that their work wasn’t quite done. They had a crisis meeting and decided that it just wasn’t in the GTW tradition to roll over and put their legs in the air. Proverbially that is!
In April last year (2007), management notified the press that GTW wasn’t making enough money to continue trading, and that it no longer had the financial reserves to upgrade its systems and get a much-needed proper website designed. The shop devised a good humoured initiative where supporters could pledge funds, dubbed Cash-For-Honours (a.k.a. Sponsor-a-Shelf). It appealed to the gay community for help which, in turn, stepped up to the plate and put money in. Knights of the Realm, best-selling novelists, the modest person off the street all gave.
So GTW stabilised, managed to sign a new and inflated lease with Camden Council and put its energies into having the most profitable year’s trading in a decade - which it duly achieved. It continues to host a full diary of book readings, and a number of discussion groups regularly meet at the shop, providing a lifeline to many people. But the story doesn’t end there. Re-stocking the bookshop, increasing costs and a less than rosy economic outlook mean that the battle for Gay’s the Word’s survival is far from over.
Lots of tourists and academics frequent the shop, but not so many Londoners. GTW still needs to raise money to update its computing systems, give the store a facelift and finance the new web-site. Without the continued support and patronage of London’s gay and lesbian community the future is still far from certain. You can help by remembering to come to the bookshop to buy your Christmas presents!
GTW is not just a pioneering old institution we should all feel obliged to keep going out of some sense of nostalgia. It is fair to say that many who go there would claim that Gay’s the Word, despite its location, is the very heart of the gay scene. It boasts the most mind-bogglingly comprehensive range of gay and lesbian books in the country and continues to win awards and accolades for what it does. It has something to fascinate and inspire everybody. It also has one of the most genuine and warm atmospheres on the scene and looks forward to welcoming you all some time very soon!
More at: http://freespace.virgin.net/gays.theword
Note: Many thanks to the wonderful management of Gay’s the Word bookshop for their assistance in producing this article.
Adrian Gillan
