The Future of Gay Bookstores?

Ed Hermance has been recommending books and greeting customers at Philly’s longtime gay bookstore Giovanni’s Room since 1973. But when A Different Light announced this week that it would close its doors for good after 32 years in San Francisco, the longtime owner voiced his concern about the future of his own independent shop at 12th and Pine Street, according to Philadelphia Magazine.

“The closing of A Different Light in San Francisco raises the question about the future of Giovanni’s Room,” says Hermance.

Giovanni’s Room is now considered the oldest-operating LGBT bookstore in the country after so many sister stores shut their doors – including Oscar Wilde Books in New York and Lambda Rising in Washington D.C, Baily Coy in Seattle. (Thank God for Little Sisters for being the Lone survivor).
“There is no substitute for a physical store,” says Hermance.

But could the issue be a bit more complex than simply online competition? Could it be that as more younger gays and lesbians find more mainstream acceptance, they are less likely to immerse themselves in leexclusively LGBT culture? If so, the whole notion of a gay bookshop is being turned on its ear.