Gay's the Word bookshop

Gay's the Word is an independent bookshop in Marchmont Street, Bloomsbury, central London. It specialises in all types of gay and lesbian books, both fiction and non-fiction. It has hosted meetings by various community groups.

The shop was founded in 1979 by Ernest Hole and others from Icebreakers. Mark Bunyan regularly performed in the shop.

In 1984 the shop was raided by Customs and Excise and a large quantity of books seized as being obscene; a defence fund was set up, raising over £55,000.

In 2007 the shop was threatened with closure following increased rents and competition from online sales, but remains open following a campaign which received wide coverage in the press.

The shop is owned by Jim MacSweeney.

In August 2011, the shop was damaged in the London riots, the only shop in the street to be targeted.

In July 2012 the shop was burgled, with a safe and computer equipment being stolen.

Lesbian Discussion Group
The Lesbian Discussion Group is a friendly and welcoming group and FREE (although there is a donations box to help support the bookshop). It meets at the shop every Wednesday.