Independent Bookshops as Media: A Role of Safer Spaces for Queer People (87160)
Session Chair: Roman Kusaiko
Wednesday, 30 October 2024 12:30
Session: Session 1
Room: Room 110
Presentation Type:Oral Presentation
This presentation considers the role of bookshops as media and the role in supporting queer people, with particular reference to the situation of independent bookshops in Japan. “Independent bookshops” are independent of general book distribution channels, and the books they sell vary considerably from bookshop to bookshop.
In this presentation, I focus on the aspect of independent bookshops as media, especially the connection with queer people.
I discuss two specific examples. Bookshop lighthouse (Makuhari City, Chiba Prefecture) has some policies: anti-discrimination and providing a safer-space. Bookshop Megaphone (Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture), also has a policy of being a safer-space in addition to providing a voice of minorities to sell, write and edit zines. This presentation refers to the diaries, zines and books written by people who run bookshops, while providing specific examples of the activities of bookshops.
These concepts and policies suggest that these bookshops are not just bookshops that sell books, but also serve as 'spaces' and 'media'. Moreover, It can be argued that the policies of these bookshops are also aligned with the objective of providing support to the queer people, who continue to face marginalization in this society. I try to reveal how to support queer people and how to develop bookshops as safer-spaces through referring to zines, interview articles about these bookshops.
Authors:
Chiharu Ito, Tsuda University, Japan
About the Presenter(s)
Mx. Chiharu Ito is currently an Associate Lecturer at Tsuda University, Japan.
See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule
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