Top LGBTQ+ Bookshops in UK
To get interesting LGBTQ+ books to read you need to know specific bookshops to visit because such books are usually not found in regular general interest bookshops. They are usually censored so it is import to know places where people can go and talk about, peruse and buy LGBTQ+ books. Whether you’re buying online or visiting in person, queer bookshops also feature an incredible breadth and depth of LGBTQ+ literature which you will never get in mainstream shops. There are exceptional circumstances in which general interest bookstores have LGBTQ+ books but this is not common. In most cases, the general interest bookstores that have LGBTQ+ books are run by queer people. The aim of this article is to provide a guide on bookshops across the world where you can get LGBTQ+ books whether in their physical stores on online stores. Here’s a list of popular LGBTQ+ bookshops in the United Kingdom.
QUEER BOOKSHOPS IN LONDON
Gay’s The Word
This is a very popular LGBTQ+ bookshop with heavy audience base across the world. Gay’s The Word located in London is the oldest LGBTQ+ bookshop in the UK. It was founded in 1979 by gay socialists with a goal to put all profits back into the business. This bookshop also hosts community events and discussion groups. You will also find very passionate booksellers here.
Location: 66 Marchmont St,
London,
WC1N 1AB
https://www.gaystheword.co.uk/
The Common Press
The Common Press is part of an East London multidisciplinary space called Glass House. One of the unique things about this place is that the space includes an LGBTQ+ bar and cafe and also a fully kitted podcast facility where you can book to record sessions. You’ll enjoy every moment of your stay here.
Location: 118 Bethnal Green Road,
London,
E2 6DG
https://www.commonpress.co.uk/
56a Infoshop
This is a radical bookshop not primarily a queer bookshop and noted for selling books, magazines, pamphlets and other printed matter. The bookshop is one where a range of LGBTQ+ issues are included and the community is welcomed. They also have a free meeting space for groups and events and tea and coffee is free. They have an open access archive that anyone can use for research which has sections for trans feminism and queer politics. It is a very supportive place you can visit to get interesting LGBTQ+ books.
Location: 56 Crampton Street,
Walworth,
London,
SE17 3AE
QUEER BOOKSHOPS IN MANCHESTER
Queer Lit
Queer Lit is among the biggest LGBTQ+ bookshops in Manchester. It has over 4500 titles and a meeting place, making it a destination for Manchester’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community.
Location: 27 Great Ancoats Street
Manchester
M4-5AJ
Gay Pride Shop
This is Manchester’s longest running LGBTQ+ bookshop. It has 4500 titles and sells loads of merch. It is another place you should visit for your LGBTQ+ books.
Location: 2nd Floor
Afflecks
Manchester
M4 1PW
QUEER BOOKSHOPS IN LEEDS
The Bookish Type
The Bookish Type was initially established as pop-up bookstalls but transitioned to a bricks and mortar shop in 2020. It is owned and run by Ray and Nic. The bookshop sells a wide range of books with queer themes and characters. They also do queer history tours, second hand Sundays (for pre-loved queer books) and have a queer noticeboard for LGBTQ+ events. It is very supportive to the LGBTQ+ community.
Location: 77a Great George Street,
Leeds
LS1 3BR
QUEER BOOKSHOP IN YORK
The Portal Bookshop
The Portal Bookshop is located in York. It specialises in Science Fiction, Fantasy and “all of the LGBTQIA books that can be sourced from the UK, the US and beyond. They also have an LGBTQ+ cafe upstairs. Youll enjoy your time at this bookshop.
Location: 5 Patrick Pool,
York,
YO1 8BB
https://the-portal-bookshop.square.site/s/shop
QUEER BOOKSHOP IN Durham
The Queerish Bookshop
The Queerish Bookshop opened in October 2023 to create a dedicated space for the LGBTQ+ community in Darlington. It was founded by Megan Hemsley to help cultivate the queer community in Darlington and the North East of England. The Bookshop is an independent LGBTQ+ bookshop at located at 39a Bondgate, Darlington, County Durham. They specialise in radical and LGBTQ+ literature.
Location: 39a Bondgate,
Darlington,
County Durham, DL3 7JJ.
https://www.thequeerishbookshop.co.uk/
Proud Geek
Proud Geek is an online only bookstore that offers a wide range of titles that LGBTQ+ book lovers will enjoy. The bookshop has over 25 years experience as a one-stop-online-shop for everything geeky and queer: from sapphic fiction, to trans superheroes, to gay teen coming of age classics.
Website: https://www.proud-geek.co.uk/
QUEER BOOKSHOPS IN WALES
Shelflife Books And Zines
Shelflife Books and Zines is not exclusively queer bookshop. It is a not-for-profit radical bookshop in Cardiff that works with independent publishers and DIY zine-makers to create a space for marginalised and under-represented voices. The bookshop was found by a passionate bookseller Rosie Smith, who believed there was a market for an independent bookshop of this type in Wales. The bookshop has plans to create space for events and meetings. This will make your stay at the bookshop very interesting.
Location: The Castle Emporium,
Womanby Street,
Cardiff,
CF10 1BS
https://www.shelflifebookshop.com/
Paned o Gê
This is a social enterprise designed to highlight, promote and celebrate LGBTQ+ talent and creators. It features interesting events including author discussions and signings. It is an exciting destination for queer book lovers.
Location: 2 – 4 Royal Arcade
Cardiff
CF10 1AE
Gay On Wye
Gay On Wye which was opened in August 2023 is primarily aiming at becoming a vibrant hub for the community, with author talks, book signings, book clubs, cultural gatherings, and more. This is a place that LGBTQ+ book lovers should visit always.
Location: 3 Lion Street,
Hay-On-Wye,
Powys
HR3 5AA
https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/gayonwye
Gayberystwyth Books
Gayberystwyth Books is an LGBTQ+ bookshop located in the ancient Aberystwyth Market Hall. Though it may not be among the very big names in the queer book industry this is still an interesting destination you can begin to patronize as an LGBTQ+ book lover.
Location: Unit 8, Aberystwyth Market Hall,
Upper Darkgate Street,
Aberystwyth
https://www.instagram.com/gayberystwyth_books/
QUEER BOOKSHOPS IN SCOTLAND
Lighthouse
Lighthouse is a queer-owned and women-led community bookshop in Edinburgh specialising in radical books. They describe themselves as “an unapologetically activist, intersectional, feminist, antiracist, lgbtq+ community space.” The bookshop includes most genres, from politics, history, fiction and travel writing to Children’s books, crafts and cookery. Another very nice place that supports lgbtq+ community.
Location: 43- 45 West Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DB
https://www.lighthousebookshop.com/
Category Is Books
Category Is Books is one of the leading independent bookshop in Glasgow, Scotland dedicated to LGBT+ books. It is one of only two LGBT+ bookshop in Scotland and one of only eight in the United Kingdom. It was established by Bug and Fionn Duffy-Scott in September 2018. The owners established the bookshop based on the vision to create a space to learn about, be inspired by and share in their love of queer books, history, art, activism, writing and storytelling. The bookshop sells both new and pre-owned books, magazines, graphic novels, comics, zines and badges. It is one place you will be glad to visit.
Location: 34 Allison Street,
Glasgow,
G42 8NN
