The haven of Category is Books

Meet Govanhill’s unique bookshop and queer safe space

Tucked away down a quiet street in the Southside, Category Is Books is a peaceful sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community. Started by a queer, married couple, this independent bookshop houses shelves and shelves of queer literature. Self-proclaimed to be “fiercely independent and queer”, it remains Scotland’s only queer bookshop.

I first visited Category Is Books last year. Late to the party, I only found out about its existence after my friend came to visit me. I bought two stickers and the novel, Our Wives Under the Sea. The sticker remains firmly stuck on the front of my beat-up journal, party to all of my deepest, darkest secrets.

The moment I stepped inside, I identified Category Is Books as a safe haven. As a space dedicated to queer folk, and their work, I no longer felt like a statistic and more like the norm. Moments of belonging, of not feeling different, are crucial. From every shelf peered the names and faces of other queer women. I felt proud to be a part of the community. 

Category Is Books frequently holds free events, often events launching the release of new books, giving the opportunity to listen to queer authors speak. This month, Sergey Khazov-Cassia, Russian journalist and writer, launched The Gospel According To... a novel detailing the struggles of a young, gay man in Russia.

A Queer Book Club is also frequently held, as well as a Writer’s Group. These free events, that require no booking, put a focus on queer voices being heard. It is accessible and open, and incredibly welcoming, especially to the young or inexperienced.

On my nineteenth birthday, I visited Gay’s The Word in London. Completely inspired at the time, I didn’t imagine something like this to be found outside of London. But I was so, so wrong. 

There is a sore lack of queer spaces in Glasgow, and Scotland generally; the only well-known LGBTQ+ space springing to mind being the Polo Lounge. If the only queer spaces available are clubs and bars, it implies a failure. It is so important for there to be a variety of queer spaces, ones suited to the daytime, without the need for alcohol to be involved, else those who are underage and those who don’t drink are at risk of being left out and isolated. 

It is so incredibly refreshing to experience these safe spaces for members of the LGBTQ+ community to exist in together, and not only exist but celebrate the existence of our community and the activism that makes places like Category Is possible. 

As unique as Category Is Books is, I sincerely hope that it will become less unique in the future, that spaces like this will become far more common in Glasgow.

Now, a year on, I plan to take my trans partner, excited to open the door to the haven for them. I will continue to recommend this bookshop as a must-visit in Glasgow, a room full of vibrancy, art, and passion - we need more spaces like this one.

Published 15 April 2025