A “LOUD, proud, and very queer” bookmobile— the Rainbow Book Bus—has got off to a promising start by promoting books by queer writers across America.
Cofounded by Eric Cervini, author of The Deviant’s War, and actor and drag queen performer Adam Powell, ShopQueer exclusively carries LGBT+ literature in a catalogue system that allows readers to browse title by author age, race, sexuality and gender identity.
The pair are currently running a fundraiser with a target of $150,000 needed to take the bus on a nationwide tour. With eight days still to run, they have managed to raise almost $123,000.
According to this report, the initiative was launched amid growing efforts to remove queer literature from public bookshelves around the country.
Leading the charge against LGBT+ themed books are Christian nationalists groups, but it was reported last October that Muslims are also getting in on the act.
Cervini and Powell said they aim to “fight bigotry” with book sales by sharing profits with LGBT+ authors. The ShopQueer team works directly with authors to include their books in an affiliate book selling system, and pays percentages to authors monthly based on sales.
Image via YouTube
Said Cervini, above:
Our bookshop was founded with the mission of promoting and protecting queer authors. That means paying them.
Earlier this year, PEN America reported that an unprecedented 2,532 book bans were enacted over the last two years, affecting 1,648 unique titles and 1,553 authors and artists.
Across 32 states, 138 school districts implemented book bans, affecting nearly 4 millions students.
“Of these unique book titles, 41% (674 books) contain LGBTQ+ themes and/or protagonists. And the 2022-23 school year is poised to break these record highs,” Cervini explained.
Research conducted by the Trevor Project ties a direct link between access to positive LGBTQ+ content and lower suicide rates among LGBTQ+ students.
Cervini added:
With statistics showing that 45% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year, it’s essential for our community and our allies to do everything in our power to protect and support the [LGBT+] authors.
“Banning queer books is just one example of the onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ bigotry that’s sweeping the country, hand in hand with legislation infringing our hard-won rights,” Cervini added.
Amid these attacks, it’s essential for our community and our allies to do everything in our power to protect and celebrate queer stories. We’re experiencing more book bans right now than at any other time in American history. It’s never been more important for our community to support the storytellers whose writing sees us, heals us, and shapes our view of the world. The publishing industry isn’t designed for authors, so at ShopQueer.co, we’re putting power—and money—back into the hands of creators, where it belongs.
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