Lambda Rising Bookstore

I had a doctor’s appointment this morning, and since it took me into the Circle neighborhood, I stopped by Lambda. I’m pretty sure I felt something crack in the middle of my heart when I heard that it was closing. I would say I’ve been going there since 1990 (I returned to D.C. from far away parts back in ’88). The first time I heard a gay author read from his own book (AUTOPORNOGRAPHY by the late Scott O’Hara) and had him sign my copy was here at Lambda. When my first piece of «gay adult erotic fiction» was published in ADVOCATE MEN, Lambda is where I ran to buy several copies while my partner and I celebrated.
Anything I ever wanted to know about what was going on in town, what books were good (or not so good), and to stock up on my monthly stash of skin mags, I only needed to come here. There was a comfort level for GLBT people that existed only in like-​minded bookstores or other gay and lesbian-​friendly establishments. I could rarely EVER go to Crown Books around the corner and find any Felice Picano, Patricia Nell Warren or Gordon Merrick without having to special order it.
I just couldn’t believe my favorite bookstore in life was actually closing its doors. But since I did have a few things in mind that I always wanted to pick up anyway, I went there today to see it with my own eyes.
As expected, all the most popular items have sold out, especially since ALL books are going for 50% off. (I was looking for Richard Stevenson’s Donald Strachey mysteries. Figured I’d be «late to the fair» on that one.)
What I DID find on a shelf devoted to rare gay erotic paperbacks were three of the Blueboy/H.I.S. pulp sex novels I’ve been looking for a couple of DECADES, including the Burt McClain classic CAL JARDINE (which makes TO THE LAST MAN seem like a cotillion.) I was more than happy to score that find (someone wanted $ 150 for it on Amazon!), and I got that plus the other two for a whopping $ 16.00 and some change.
I felt elated but sad, because it drove home the reason why I always loved coming to Lambda in my days as a regular customer, and why I and so many other folks will miss it when it’s really gone.
They’ve pulled out crates and stacks and bundles of some unbelievably old mags, (MANSHOTS, AFTER DARK, BEAR, IN TOUCH, etc.) and some vintage Colt photo books and calendars (one I saw from ’83!) The clerk I spoke to said that they have no idea how long they’ll be open, but confirming an earlier post, he said they’d have to be out by sometime around the end of January/​first week in February.
Even if you don’t find anything you want, if this was one of your favorite hangouts, you owe it to yourself to have one last, fond look.
I’m afraid the last piece of the soul that made Dupont what it once was will be gone for good, when those doors close for the last time.

I am very sad to hear Lambda Rising is closing. It was the first gay place I went to when I was 17. I was looking for information, history, culture, and community, and I found it at Lambda. I haven’t been to the shop in years (living elsewhere now), but I will always have fond memories of the place. I understand the decision to close the bookstore rather than to sell it to someone who might change the nature of it, but it is still a sad day hearing that it will close forever. A landmark soon to be gone.

Their sticker stock is dwindling! For a guy who likes novelty items like me, this comes at a disappointment. I guess I’ll have to get all my bear stickers from Cafepress or something from now on… they always have nice «coffee-​table-​style» books here, if you’re willing to go a little off-​the-​wall for your coffee table. Make sure you hide them when you have the hetero guests over (read: your mom).

Cool place to stop in on when in the Fruit Loop. They have a good selection of Gay books and magazines. Want a ‘gay-​travel’ book for Australia? They have them. Want the Tom of Finland collection? (I did!) Yep, they have that too. I like to check out the magazine section every once in a while… gotta love Butt magazine! haha I’m just waiting for them to move over to P street or 17^th or 14^th with the rest of the gayborhood. I hope they stay right where they are, though.

Terrific place for everything GLBT. The interior could use an overall, it’s been rode hard an put up wet.

Queer bookstores can be fun and this one in the popular Dupont neighborhood is no exception. A full range of things to read back in the hotel room (business in DC can be BORING!!!). This place provides the sanity for such a trip.

Lambda Rising was the first place I went to when looking for the queer DC community. Actually, I came here before looking for the queers just because I had heard so much about it. Then I returned with more interest in actually reading their books, magazines and flyers for events. It’s fun to go in with friends– their greeting cards are fabulous, and their window displays can be interesting (that huge rainbow umbrella with a boa attached: want.).
Their books are rather evenly split between men and women, which is much appreciated. There are also comic books (not things you’d give to your 9 year old nephew… well, not until he turns 18 and comes out that is) and a discount/​sale pile. I’ve found gifts for both glbtq folk and allies here– my all time favorite was a rainbow menorah around hanukkah. A lot of their merchandise is rainbowy. Really really rainbowy. If you’re not into that, maybe stick with the books and magazines.
Overall a nice, friendly place. I never feel judged and no one has ever told me they’ve felt judged because they weren’t the «target audience». Silly people– the gay mafia targets everyone.

I can still remember the first time that I was dragged into Lambda Rising by friends in college… having no idea where we were going. Las Vegas having no gay and lesbian neighborhood to really speak of… walking into Dupont Circle was a bit surreal.
Some practical stuff… some random stuff… some stuff that you never knew existed… all under one roof…

I am a lesbian femme who recently moved to Dupont and I like Lambda Rising. I like that’s it queer and right in the middle of things. It’s a fun place to go with friends from out of town, or when we’re wandering down Connecticut, before getting ice cream at Larrys or something.
I actually found that they had a ton of lesbian material — erotica right near the door, and then a bunch of lesbian-​oriented sex guides near the back, as well as pretty much every lesbian movie you can think of. They also seem to be working on trans inclusion, but I agree that they have a way to go (and could make it more visible in the store).
The rainbow items are a little gimmicky and expensive, but that’s to be expected. They get extra points for the fact that I’ve been in there at least 8 times, never bought a thing, spent a bunch of time, looked through a lot of books, and never felt like they were annoyed or pressuring me to buy something. However, I wish they would have some hot young girls working there, but that’s just me. ;-)
Overall, it’s supagay, they have lots of erotica and info about sex, random interesting books and a great location.

It’s great that Lambda is so prominently located in Dupont. It’s a good size, not the size of a closet (ha…okay that was lame) and not so big to be impersonal. Every inch of the store is packed with books and merchandise, but it doesn’t seem cluttered.
I’ve been to other GBLTQ bookstores, including one in the Tampa, FL area which is supposedly the largest such bookstore in the country and I found it a little too big for my tastes and even commercial feeling. The layout and feel of Lambda Rising is very much in line with the cozy neighborhood bookstore where both queers and straights can entertain yourselves for an hour or so just with browsing. And the people who work here are generally pretty happy to be here and are friendly and helpful.
Falling in line with the surrounding area, Lambda’s clientele seems more white and male, but it’s POC friendly and of course, serves the ‘L’ population as well. It definitely leans more biomale, but from my experience of GLBT businesses both on the west and east coasts, Lambda does a comparatively good job of reflecting a queer women’s POV within a ‘pan queer’ bookstore. As you usually have to go to a straight up Womyn’s Bookstore etc. to get your fix.
Along those lines–
This used to be my standard rendezvous point for my girlfriend and gay male bff — that’s how I discovered the colorful diversity of graphic (male) homo smut located in the back of the store. OMG, we use to amuse ourselves like little children perusing these titles getting dirty little finger smudges all over the covers. All I have to say is – whenever my bicurious tendencies started peeking through, I would just flip through one of the more graphic titles in the back, and WHOOWEE I was GOOD for the year.
So Lambda Rising, my (ex) girlfriend and I both thank you.

Lambda Rising is the de facto gay and lesbian community center in DC. It was the first palce I went when I was coming out in the late 80s.
The best selection of gay-​related books and other materials — gifts, cds, videos, cards, porn, periodicals, lube & condoms, etc.
Can also be a great place to cruise and meet people.

Lambda Rising is a fun little bookstore. If you are looking for something gay. You can find it here.
The staff is nice. They have a large selection of gay magazines as well. You can get your lube here as well. Don’t forget your rainbow stickers. You can get a rainbow dog sticker for your car in case your dog is gay and you are proud of it.

I love the Lambda bookstore as it is THE gay store in DC. Let me clarify that… it is THE gay bookstore.
It has all kinds of books you can imagine. Books for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders. Books for singles and couples. Books on dating, acceptance and other self-​help topics. There are books for parents of gay children. Plus, there are comic books, calendars, photography books, travel pamphlets and other kinds of publications.
Lambda basically has all the books written by GLBT authors. This store also carries a few books by straight authors. They only do this if and when the books just happened to have gay characters or gay themes.
There are also magazines, DVD’s, cards, buttons, CD’s and various gift items. There are some artistic figurines and posters. There is a wide variety of lubes that you can purchase for self-​pleasure or for wild times with your partner.
You could spend an hour or more looking through the aisles. It has everything that are missing from the shelves at Barnes & Nobles, Border’s, Books-​A-​Million and other bookstores. I do buy books here but not as often as I can find better prices on
. However, you can shop online at
and you’ll find that it also competes with Amazon. So, they are aware of the competition and will do anything to keep your business with them.
Lambda does invite authors, especially the local ones, to come and give readings or signings. So, Lambda is a great place to come and greet your gay authors.
The staff are absolutely friendly and helpful. Lambda doesn’t just set up shop and sell stuff. Lambda also gets involved with the gay community, especially during Pride Week.

Yes, they have the biggest selection of GLBTQ books and stuff that you’ll find in a single place…
Yes, they are an epicenter for DC queer culture…
Yes, they are historic…
Yes, they host events and readings and have all kinds of information for the queer-​minded individual…
I do love this book store so… But I would be amiss to not mention the predominantly male selection. Yes, they do carry lesbian materials, but it certainly falls far behind the male section of the store. I’ve also found that they are painfully lacking in their trans-​male literature.
Don’t get me wrong, they still carry more than your average place by far and this isn’t to put them down, it’s just a wistful wish of my own that there would be a stronger representation for women and FTM transgendered persons in this store. And they will certainly help you find what you need and order what they don’t have.

I realized this is a gay bookstore, very soon after I entered the door, but that didn’t stop me from perusing some of the hilarious and charming gay gift ideas that this place has to offer. My personal favorite was the RuPaul Doll: «99% plastic, 1% woman,» said the box. Can someone tell me if Mike Tyson is gay? He had his own doll, next to RuPaul, dressed in a Santa outfit, saying «He’s Out, and he’s your new best friend.» What the hell???
For your more high-​minded gay friends, skip the dolls and head to the back of the store, where you’ll find the gay literature. «Torso» Magazine and «Flava Men» will make great stocking stuffers.
All in all, this seemed like a friendly, amusing bookshop. Shoppers of all persuasions are welcome.

Times are quickly changing. Even with the debate over gay marriage, the LGBT population is becoming more and more mainstream. Every Barnes and Noble and Borders Bookstore has a Gay and Lesbian section.
But progress comes at a price for some establishments. Many gay and lesbian bookstores such as Lambda books are shutting down because they are no longer the place to go for all things Queer.
Lambda is one of the epicenters of gay cultural life in the District – they have a much more extensive selection of queer books and paraphernalia than any other bookstore in the Washington area.

It is so frustrating to try to find books written by gay or lesbian authors in a «normal» (Barnes and Noble or Borders) Lifestyles” section is typically a shelf. Not the case here!
One of the great things about Lamda (other than the fact that they are THE gay bookstore in the city) is that time to time, they have events and fundraisers that support non-​profit groups as well as author readings and signings.
They have a wide selection of books, magazines, cards, CD’s and gifts (gifts are overall more appropriate for your gay, lesbian or transgendered family and friends). I find something I want to buy every time I wander in.

The source for all things gay in Dupont Circle. If they don’t have it, you don’t need it. If you’d like to decorate your home in rainbows, you’ll go mad here. Please try to control yourself though. I know you’re proud but we all have our limits. How about a nice tasteful HRC sticker?