Queer, trans + sex worker cooperatively-owned activist bookstore + café, in NYC. 📚🌈 ♿️Tues-Sun 12pm-7pm at 116 Suffolk St + 24/7 online✨We ship everywhere! 💙
❤️🔥Wow!! We are feeling the community love!! ❤️🔥🥲 Here are ways to show support!!
Donations to newly est. non-prof that handles all things “free store”:
Become a monthly sustainer:
Give to our legal fund via Venmo
@Bluestockings
As far as we know, we are the only bookstore with a Sex Work section. We're going to be tweeting out some of our sex work book picks today in honor of International Sex Worker Rights Day
#ISWRD
We did not expect to ever be writing a statement like this. Due to so many unforeseen circumstances both pandemic-related and otherwise, we must leave our current location at 172 Allen St. in search of a new, more sustainable, accessible and safer home.
Happy International Sex Workers' Rights Day from the only sex worker-owned bookstore in the US that has a sex worker section for books and zines! We're also working with consultants to launch a harm reduction project specifically for sex workers-- stay tuned! ☂️🥳
fun fact: if you smear off the parts of our signs that you don’t like ... within the hour they’ll be back and much brighter than the rest of the sign 😁😁😁
We have so many copies that we're ready to send your way! This primer on police abolition is a must have for you or anyone in your life who needs another text outlining the roadmap to end state violence!
Happy Pride Month! We've got a new list of anti-assimilation queer books on the Bluestockings website we're calling Kink at Pride! Place your order for yourself or the kinkster loved ones in your life today! 🖤🤎♥️🧡💛💚💙💜
Hey friends. We’re doing our best, but we *have to* reach our goal by Dec. 31 if we’re going to survive this winter and be able to finish our build out and reopen come Spring. Please help us survive:
#indiebookstore
#saferspaces
You can now pre-order
@prisonculture
’s book (🎉yes you read that right!!!) thru our online store! Pre-orders are crucial for new titles from smaller presses. Celebrate this beloved abolitionist educator’s work + support indie bookshops while you’re at it!
This is a difficult decision we've made but at least until the 27th, Bluestockings will not be open for browsing. With no safety measures are being supplied by city, state, or federal leaders, we are choosing to not treat our worker-owners as disposable.
🎉We’re thrilled to share our biggest news yet: the formation of Bluestockings Cooperative! 🎉Read more about our decision to create a worker-owner cooperative structure that will ensure a more sustainable project for years to come!
#BstoxCoop
#indiebooks
Thanks to
@prisonculture
's organizing and the generosity of all of y'all in our community, our mutual aid free store shelves have been fully stocked for more days in a row than ever before, and our neighbors are so grateful! We wanted to pass on their appreciation 🥰
We are launching our first-ever Digital Comics Fest May 23-29th! For a week, we'll be hosting digital comics/zines from queer, trans + sex working artists on our website. We want to feature your incredible work, find the form for submissions and more at
Comrades, we’re here to ask for your support. As many of you have noticed, our air conditioning has been out for the past TWELVE days. This is our landlord’s responsibility—we are not legally allowed to hire anyone to fix it. (1/4)
Happy
#IndependentBookstoreDay
! 🌟Here’s a peek at our new location on 116 Suffolk St! 🌟We can’t wait for the build out to be finished so we can welcome y’all again! You can help us with our relocation by giving to our fundy:
We are thrilled to thank
@janetmock
and
@prisonculture
for their generous support over the years with these gorgeous plaques 😍😍 come browse the Janet Mock Trans Studies Section and the MK Abolitionist Kids Corner 💙📚💙
🗝️We have the keys to a new home!🗝️We want to build a beautiful, accessible space that can better resource our community + we need your continued support--y'all have shown such love since we announced our plans to relocate. 🌺Help us realize this dream!🌺
So...despite what the
@cdcgov
and
@who
say, there's still a pandemic! But, with the "state of emergency over" it means that we no longer are receiving PPE from the state. So we wanted to update you on a few things:
Today's the day! Bluestockings Cooperative is officially open for business! We're open until 6 PM Tuesdays-Sundays! Come take a look at the new Bluestockings for yourself, we can't wait to see you!
#indiebookstore
#gaybooks
#workerpowered
saw three young girls walk by a queer radical anarchist bookstore and one tried to go in and the other two were like no and giggling and pulled her out. anyway, hope she enjoys returning sometime this week on her own.
As the city’s oldest remaining anarchist bookstore, we’d invite the mayor to take a look at our extensive anti-racist resources but cops are not allowed in the space
"With the increase in anarchists in this city, we have a serious problem with white supremacy"
Eric Adams is just putting the 1st scary-sounding words that come to his mind together & hoping that it stops people from asking about nepotism & corruption.
Stop by to cool off, page through some gay books, pick up free fentanyl test strips, color in our keith haring poster, and much more! 📍 116 Suffolk St
#Pride
#Pride2021
#QueerOwned
April 29th is Independent bookstore day!! To celebrate everything in-store and online will be 15% off! So it's a perfect time to catch up on your to-be-read list or find something totally new. See you there!
#IndieBookstore
#ShopIndie
#bookhaul
#MustRead
We are a small, anti-capitalist book store with razor thin profit margins, and being closed will have a huge financial impact on us. If you would like to support us during this time, please consider making a purchase on our website or becoming a member at .
We continue to make difficult decisions thru the pandemic based in the core belief that we are not disposable and working class lives are not acceptable to sacrifice to feed 'the economy.' We're so lucky to be able to determine our working conditions as a co-op+ with your support
We here at Bluestockings want to be very clear on our decision to cancel the Killing Gaza screening the
@nycDSA
set for March 16. All the love to the DSA, it's clear that there wasn't enough due diligence on both our parts in regards to the film's director, Max Blumenthal. (1/6)
Hi
#SmallBusinessSaturday
! Your semi-regular reminder from your favorite queer, trans, sex worker owned cooperative bookstore to not support Amazon this weekend and to instead support community spaces (like us 👀) in store or online if you're already holiday shopping!
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories your memories about our space, everyone who helped match donations and encouraged other folks to donate, it means so much for us to know we'll be able to reopen for you next year. ❤️📚❤️📚
Look at our new home at 116 Suffolk St! It still needs a little work, but it’s ours. All of ours! And we want to know: What are you dreaming of for the future of Bluestockings? What would make 116 Suffolk St the place YOU want and need? Take our survey at !
#IWD
Happy International Wh*res Day to all of our sex working comrades! We're so proud to be the only bookstore in the US with a sex work *as labor* section on our shelves!
Come grab one of these titles from us at 116 Suffolk Street and support a sex worker-owned space today! 💖
Today is a great day to say fuck Amazon and shop from our worker-owned, queer and trans run indie bookstore and cafe! Stop by 116 Suffolk or put in your order at !
#ShopIndie
Comics+graphic novels are one of the most accessible mediums out there, it's never too early/too late to pick up something new! We hope our new Kids/YA Comics section gets early and returning readers excited about all the possibilities that exist in this beautiful space!
We're so happy to have Rae the Doe creator Olive Rae Brinker joining us for Bluestockings Queer and Trans Comics Fest in August!
@olivebrinker
has consistently put out amazing work and we hope you see you seeing her for the fest!
We did not expect to ever be writing a statement like this. Due to so many unforeseen circumstances both pandemic-related and otherwise, we must leave our current location at 172 Allen St. in search of a new, more sustainable, accessible and safer home. (Now w alt text)
We love and appreciate all of the community support we’ve received since dealing with these almost constant harassment and threats. We keep us safe(r)!
Please consider becoming a sustaining member and/or buying books to keep us in the neighborhood 💕
This zine by
@prisonculture
is a must read right now (and always). This project began with the question “why protest?” + weaves through reflection, insight and history. It also features photography by
@ChiMovtPhotog
.
#protests2020
So excited to announce we're expanding the harm reduction programming we offer to our communities in the new year ! We're looking to pay community members for their expertise in designing + implementing seminars for sex workers + people in the sex trades
Amazing new zine resource s/o
@prisonculture
🎉 “Police Abolition 101” is a collab zine based on material by MPD 150 + a report "What's Next?" edited by
@interruptcrim
+
@projectnia
. It was illustrated and designed by Noah Jodice!
Alright, LES. It’s hot today. Come by for free water, snacks, naloxone, fentanyl test strips, tampons and pads, masks and gloves. Naturally, books and zines available for online and phone pickup orders, as well as curbside shopping. 💙
On June 30th, join us for a legendary Zoom party. Tickets start at $5. Go to to RSVP today, before our limited tickets sell out!
Proceeds from this event will be split 50/50 with our comrades
@survivepunishNY
2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣ was certainly a year. Here are some of our greatest hits we loved this past year!
Our full 2021 favorites list, including so many books we couldn't fit onto here is online now! 🔗 below to appease the great and horrible Twitter algorithm
Solidarity forever! Show up for the union workers /
@StrandWorkers
out on the picket line today! There’s still time to call and give Strand owner Nancy Bass a piece of your mind: 212-473-1452 ext 100 and 500
It’s happening! On Friday, April 23rd at 11AM, the doors of 116 Suffolk St will be open! We are beyond excited to welcome you to our new space and show you what your generosity and support over the last year have made possible.
The current schedule is Tues-Sun 11AM-6 PM
We are discussing next best steps for addressing this but commercial tenants have few rights. In the meantime, we are asking that you please help keep us going by doing any of the following: (4/4)
There are lots of ways to support us right now!
💗Shopping in-store or online:
✨Join as a sustaining member:
🌹Snag a LIMITED edition shirt:
#BstoxCoop
#workerpower
We are exhausted from documenting, researching, emailing, calling management, repairmen, attorneys, advocates while juggling our other work, all in the sweltering heat, and we are particularly worried about sales as several of us are sex workers about to lose income from OF (3/4)
He + his huge property development/mgmt corp have been denying then delaying this critical repair for nearly TWO WEEKS, part of an ongoing pattern of active neglect of urgent repairs, including months of multiple unaddressed issues in our basement. Our sales are flagging. (2/4)
ITS HAPPENING!! This is it! From now until the 29th, come check out some amazing zines & comics from 60+ incredible creatives. Show off your haul by tweeting at us! We are so excited to be able to bring a global community together for the love of comics.
You can take away our pride flags but you can't take away our pride 😎
We're so obsessed with this new hand painted lettering on our windows, they look even better in person! Come by 116 Suffolk Street and take a look for yourself! 💙💙💙
Friends + comrades,
It is with a heavy heart that we share news of the death of Janelle Kilmer, beloved Bluestockings collective member from 2010 to 2020, who began as a Bstox volunteer in 2007.
Our online store is LIVE and ready for your orders! If you're looking for radical lit to read during the pandemic and want to help support a queer, trans, sex worker run
#indiebookstore
, check out
👽💕
Did you miss our holiday hours last week? Well, have no fear! We're open until 6 PM Thursday through Sunday again for all your radical queer and trans lit, free menstrual products + fentanyl strips and so much more! See you there! ❤️🖤
#indiebookstore
#buylocal
#feministbookstore
The objection to this screening is entirely based on Max Blumenthal and we are in talks with the DSA to screen another film that is made by and centers Palestinian voices in the ongoing conflict against the Israeli army. (4/6)
🌟We’re $3,130 away from reaching our next milestone of $40k! 🌟We can do this with your support! We can build a beautiful new space for radical thought📚 + gathering in LES!
Our new community care shelves are here! These are stocked by viewers like you 😉 Want to help? We’re running low on cracker snacks, yogurt, protein shakes and hand sanitizer. Any bit helps! Check out our wishlist & ship right to us at ❤️
#MutualAid
Bluestockings is officially registered with the Dept of Health to train anyone on the use of naloxone/narcan to prevent opioid overdoses! ⭐️ EVERY SATURDAY AT 6PM ⭐️Training takes about 5-15 minutes and comes with a free kit with two doses of naloxone and other useful stuff!
The survival of radical spaces for study + organizing is critical to the health of our movements and communities. 💗Help Bluestockings survive and thrive at our new LES location, 116 Suffolk!💗
They say it's important to keep to your routines even in the face of COVID disruption, so we set up the Zine o' the Week in store even if folks will only be buying it online:
NEW ZINE ALERT! Stop what you are doing, Mariame Kaba has a new zine!!! We're so excited for this beautiful and necessary resource! s/o to
@prisonculture
+ her collaborators
@bcrwtweets
@modernistwitch
--check out Mariame's project here:
#DIY
#zines
We know how difficult making the decision to put worker’s health over profit is for a small indie queer bookstore. Wisconsinites & others, check out
@RoomofOnesOwn
& place a web order to show your support if you can! 📚📚📚🌈
Day 2 of our relocating sidewalk sale is happening now until 6 PM! Everything that's out here is going, including books, posters, zines and all the shelves that are holding them! Pick up a memory of 172 Allen Street today!
We have some exciting news: we're hiring! We'll be bringing on another part-time worker-owner in the next few weeks. Link to the job posting will be threaded below (also posted in-store)
📚 We've gotten so much love for our dedicated comics and graphic novels sections, we wanted to show off just a few to celebrate! Pick up some of these amazing titles in store or order them on for all your rad comics needs! 📚
In Search Of: feminist class traitors looking to part with their wealth to ensure the survival of a certain feminist bookstore and activist center in NYC. Don’t be shy.
We don’t sell her work or any other outspoken transphobe’s. No matter how politely someone framed these ‘views,’ they actively harm people & we want no part in enriching ppl who do that! Customers can feel free to head to dystopian online warehouses like Amaz🤮n if they prefer.
In case you're wondering, we also disagree with her views.
But the reason we discontinued carrying her works is because of her personal attacks on her readers and critics, including minors.
I own my love of her books 20y ago. But I will not even tacitly condone her actions now.
Not to be alarmist, but we are WORRIED about making it through this. We've set a 12/31 deadline for our fundraising efforts to ensure we have our best shot at building and maintaining our beautiful new home. We've still got $44k to raise fam! Please help!
Did you miss the Abolitionist Zine Fair? Don't worry, we got you covered! Check out our selection of 10 titles we picked up for you there and get 'em in store or online
Thanks so much Judah! We love when folks come in with CO2 monitors and can show how having masks on + our HVAC running makes a huge difference for keeping each other safe!
Folks who want to support can shop in person or get books shipped anywhere from bluestockings(.)com! 💙💙
Thank you
@bluestockings
for not just being a great & important bookstore but also looking out for public health by being one of the few places in nyc that requires masks AND has very good ventilation.
We LOVE this new zine from Community Justice Exchange, “Direct Action for Prison Abolition.” You can view and share the zine here: 🌟The zine was beautifully designed by
@netabomani
🌟
As has been pointed out to us over the past few days, Max Blumenthal and many in his camp regularly make a point of retweeting and sharing pro-Assad stances. (2/6)
📖🛠 Tools written for everyday people, including survivors, people who caused harm, and friends/family who want to help without turning to the police or state services. 🛠 📖
Get yours (and start practicing this work) today:
#carenotcops
Bluestockings is a community space first and we want to make sure that our inclusivity does not come at the expense of Middle Eastern communities and activists. (5/6)
This goes from directly mocking Syrian refugees to suggesting that Assad's war crimes are completely fabricated. Which hurts not just the Syrian people but the sizeable Palestinian population within Syria.
It's been such a hectic week we didn't even get a chance to comment on this but HELL YEAH! We are so relieved we'll finally have this resource to refer community members to.
In an attempt to curb overdose deaths, New York City will open the nation’s first authorized supervised injection sites for drug users. They will provide clean needles, administer naloxone to reverse overdoses and provide options for addiction treatment.
It's
#GivingTuesday
and for us to have more queer feminist books, more community events, more support groups, health programs and so much more, Bluestockings needs your support! Help us build a necessary radical space by donating to our fundraiser at 💖📚
(1/4) We, the worker-owners of Bluestockings Cooperative condemn the actions of
@DukePress
management opposing and challenging a democratically elected union of Duke University Press staff (
@DUPWorkersUnion
), and ask Duke management to drop all objections to said workers union.
Out here on the picket line with
@StrandWorkers
—we rise up with union bookstore workers fighting for rehire + living wages + end to exploitative work conditions!
#unionstrong
Happy
#IndependentBookstoreDay
🌟📚To build our new home + keep providing vital resources to our queer, trans, SWing community + organizing spaces for radical thought, we are raising $150K. Help us build a new beautiful space and secure our future in LES!
@SarahJPerillo
Thank you for asking! We have a sustaining members program and/or you can give one-time gifts--amplifying/sharing these fundraising efforts would be much appreciated!
ICYMI: we've got open zine submissions for the month of November! Follow the bitly or check out the zines tab on our website for more info on how to submit your zines to us! Put yourself and your work out there, we can't wait to hear from you! 💙💙💙
Like everything else on our website and in-store today, you can pre-order this book for 15% off in celebration of
#IndieBookstoreDay
at bluestockings ⏺️ com
We would love to hear from you about Palestinian voices and Palestinian-led organizations we should be working with, please email us at events
@bluestockings
.com so we can keep this discussion going. (6/6)
🧵The Bluestockings Digital Comics Festival is just a couple of weeks away! Until then, keep an eye on this thread to enjoy some teaser images from some of our tables for a taste of what will be available on our site May 23rd - 29th!
We’re surviving the pandemic and the violence of the status quo! We’re gonna get thru this together! Help us fund the build-out of our new location, which will be a larger, more accessible, gathering space for radical imagination and organizing:
Starting with maybe our favorite book about sex work in an international context, To Live Freely in this World: Sex Worker Activism in Africa by
@chiadanna
draws on rich interviews with SW activists in 7 countries: