Queer Space Special: “Gay’s The Word” with Erica Gillingham

This extraordinary queer space special makes all my dreams come true: I get to hang out with Erica Gillingham in the basement of Gay’s The Word! Sitting between towering stacks of books and boxes of GTW archival material that goes back all the way to the birth of this magnificent LGBTQ+ bookshop in January 1979, Erica shares some highlights of the turbulent and inspiring history of GTW. She also talks about what is happening in queer publishing right now and shares some of her favourite queer YA and romance authors. Hearing Erica speak about the way in which GTW and its magnificent team of booksellers hold space for our community is truly magical and if I could live in that basement forever, I absolutely would.

All I want for Queermas is for you to follow @gaysthewordbookshop, @ericareadsqueer and @queerlitpodcast on Instagram!

References:
Rosa Guy’s Ruby (1976)
Pride (2015)
Ernest Hall
Oscar Wilde Bookshop (New York City)
Gay Socialists
Icebreakers
Lesbian Discussion Group (LDG)
Gay and Disabled Group
Black Gay Group
Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM)
Mark Ashton
Housman’s
Black Lesbian Discussion Group
Ace Reading Group
Jim MacSweeney
Uli Lenart
Common Press
London LGBTQ Centre
Section 28
Laura Kay
Justin Meyers
Alexis Hall
Lily Lindon
Emily Danforth’s The Miseducation of Cameron Post
Malinda Lo
Isabel Waidner’s Corey Fah Does Social Mobility and We Are Made of Diamond Stuff

Questions you should be able to respond to after listening:

1. When was Gay’s The Word established and what are some of the groups that are associated with the shop?
2. What does Erica say about the publishing industry and queer books? What are your thoughts on this?
3. Erica talks about her interest in YA texts and romance novels. Why would queer books in these genres potentially be treated differently by publishers?
4. Do you remember the first time you went to a designated LGBTQIA+ space? What was that like?