Gay's The Word

Tagline Brand's website · 2026-11-08

Gay's The Word is the UK's oldest LGBT+ bookshop, offering LGBTQ+ books, merchandise, events and community space.

Description Brand's website · 2026-11-08

Gay's The Word is an LGBT+ bookshop established in January 1979 by a group of gay socialists. It operates online and from its bookshop at 66 Marchmont Street, providing curated books, community resources, events and meeting space.

Mission Brand's website · 2026-11-08

To operate as an LGBT+ bookshop and community space, with an ethos of directing profits back into the business and supporting the broader LGBT community.

Founders & leadership Brand's website · 2026-11-08

The bookshop is stewarded by staff members Uli Lenart, Jim MacSweeney, Oisin and Lucy Coleman. Uli Lenart is the bookshop manager; Jim MacSweeney is a bookseller and accounts manager; Lucy Coleman is a reader and bookseller.

Website Brand's website · 2026-11-08

https://gaystheword.co.uk

Voice & tone Brand's website · 2026-11-08

Community-oriented, inclusive, affirming, knowledgeable and supportive.

Founded Brand's website · 2026-11-08

January 1979

Headquarters Brand's website · 2026-11-08

66 Marchmont Street

Problem solved Brand's website · 2026-11-08

Helps people discover LGBTQ+ literature, academic resources, coming-out materials, representation for LGBTQ+ families and children, and community events and resources in an inclusive bookshop environment.

Core capabilities Brand's website · 2026-11-08

• Online and physical book retail
• Curated LGBTQ+ fiction, nonfiction and specialist book collections
• Ordering in-print academic and other books directly by request
• Pre-orders with UK and European shipping availability stated on the homepage
• Book launches, author signings, readings and panel discussions
• Community meeting space and resources
• LGBTQ+ merchandise and LGSM merchandise
• Second-hand and rare book sales

Products / SKUs Brand's website · 2026-11-08

• Fiction
• Nonfiction and theory books
• Young adult fiction
• Classics
• Poetry
• Plays
• Biography and memoir
• Parenting and family books

Pricing Brand's website · 2026-11-08

Individual book prices are listed on product pages; the supplied examples are £8.99 and £14.99. No general pricing structure is stated.

Target industry Brand's website · 2026-11-08

Independent bookselling and LGBTQ+ cultural retail.

Customer base Brand's website · 2026-11-08

LGBTQ+ readers and community members; people seeking books about sexuality, gender and identity; students, teachers, researchers and librarians; parents and families; and readers interested in LGBTQ+ fiction, history, biography, poetry, plays and visual culture.

Ideal customer profile Brand's website · 2026-11-08

Readers, researchers and community members seeking curated LGBTQ+ books, resources, events and an affirming independent bookshop experience.

Use cases Brand's website · 2026-11-08

• Finding fiction and nonfiction reflecting LGBTQ+ identities and experiences
• Finding coming-out books and related community resources
• Ordering academic books on queer theory, gender, sexuality, feminism, politics and sociology
• Buying LGBTQ+ books for children, parents and families
• Discovering rare, used and second-hand LGBTQ+ books
• Attending book launches, signings, readings and panel discussions
• Using the bookshop as meeting space for community groups
• Pre-ordering upcoming titles

Customer outcomes Brand's website · 2026-11-08

• Easier discovery of books organised by identity and LGBTQ+ subject area
• Access to curated and specialist LGBTQ+ literature and academic resources
• Support and reassurance during the coming-out process
• Access to books reflecting LGBTQ+ families, children and diverse experiences
• Opportunities to participate in literary and community events
• Access to an LGBT+ community hub and meeting space