GIOVANNI'S ROOM

Nice to see some main stay and things of the past continue on. While in Philly this weekend, I can never pass on a chance and never will miss a trip into Giovanni's Room. Founded in 1973, the bookshop is named of course after James Baldwin's gay novel of the same name. During it's initial establishment, the shop included works of all gay and lesbian authors, and works by James Baldwin, Gertrude Stein and Wila Cather and still does, but is has now more than 30,00 titles dedicated towards not only gay men and women, but also feminist, transgender and bisexual topics, biographies, nonfiction tell all's safe sex books and a section of "artistic" skin books and magazines for men and women and even a decent music selection of cd's and vinyl's. There's even a 99 cent section!!! It's for years now been on the Historical and Museum Commission at a historic location when the bookshop, which was the first LGBT bookstore in the country and the final one still operating.  The place has always been a mainstay, and haven for the community to come, hang, gather with other and search out help , services and reading interests just for us.  When the last owner, Ed retired after 48 years, the community worried, I recall posted way back then with worry what would happen to the place... but thankfully the Philly Aids Thrift took over. And it was glorious to see how well the place is doing. And I love taking people there...just ask Sixpence! The girl I talked to said they are busier than ever, and she has seen a huge uptick in people wanting their money to stay IN THE COMMUNITY and not to big box and online presence. I couldn't agree more. I only get books through them, and if they don't have it, they can get it. The place was jumping on Saturday.

I have always loved this chandelier.

Good times! I have spent hours in there at a time back in the day. Had great conversations, bought to many books to recount, possibly some of my skin mags, got some great art, and cards learned, great source of information and community events, not to mention maybe even cruised and taken back to some gent's abode on a couple of occasions!!! It's all part of the experience after all. But again, great to see the place was packed on both floors.

PAT at Giovanni's Room

345 S 12th and Pine Streets