Moved by
Councillor Thompson, seconded by Councillor Worling –
It is resolved that:
(A) Council note:
(i)
The
Bookshop Darlinghurst is closing down after more than 4 decades of providing
Sydney’s queer community with a safe, welcoming, cultural landmark on Oxford
Street;
(ii)
originally
opening in 1982, The Bookshop served the queer community through
decriminalisation, the AIDS epidemic, marriage equality and has continued to
stand at the forefront for trans rights and liberation; and
(iii)
in the
words of the current owner, Charles Gregory, “The Bookshop Darlinghurst has
been more than a store. It has been a meeting place, a refuge, and a beacon for
queer literature.” Its closure will be sorely felt across the queer community
in Sydney;
(i) in September 2025, Council endorsed the proposal to locally heritage list 3 buildings as part of a Stage 2 Oxford Street LGBTIQA+ Heritage Items including the site of The Bookshop at 207 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. This proposal will be publicly exhibited soon;
(ii) the site of The Bookshop is proposed to be locally heritage listed for its historical, aesthetic, social and representative significance. This significance could be recognised in many ways including by conserving the building’s appearance, by continuing the retail use, by recognising the historical significance such a commemorative plaque and by reinterpreting the LGBTIQA+ significance;
(iii) the City established a
LGBTQIA+ collection with State Library funding support in 2007 and continues to
grow this collection annually, with the collection based at the Kings Cross,
Surry Hills and Newtown branch libraries, however, the City’s collection is
available across the entire network;
(iv) while items in the LGBTQIA+
collection are catalogued and shelved according to standard library practice,
they are clearly identified with distinctive markings;
(v) City staff have reviewed The
Darlinghurst Bookshop’s holdings and found that most titles are already within
the City’s collection or on order;
(vi) the collection is actively
maintained with new titles added throughout the year, including transgender
titles;
(vii) all City of Sydney libraries are accredited under the ACON Welcome Here program which promotes a safe and welcoming environment for people of diverse sexualities and genders; and
(viii) the City’s libraries also support the LGBTIQA+ communities through:
(a) a regular LGBTIQA+ discussion group at Kings Cross library afterhours and occasionally led by facilitators/storytellers which provides a welcoming and supportive environment for the community to share stories and connect;
(b) monthly Rainbow Storytime as part of an early literacy offering across all branches; and
(c) regular LGBTQIA+ programming including exhibitions, talks, creative programs across all branches throughout the year; and
(B)
the
Chief Executive Officer be requested to:
(i)
investigate
ways in which the City of Sydney can recognise the historic contributions of
The Bookshop Darlinghurst to the queer community, should the proposed local
heritage listing not proceed;
(ii)
ensure
the stock currently held within The Bookshop Darlinghurst is reflected and made
available across the City’s library network in far as possible;
(iii)
assess
whether the queer cultural programming currently provided at our libraries and
community centres is meeting community need and report back to Council by the
CEO Update; and
(iv) investigate ways in which library users may
be informed about and assisted in accessing the City’s LGBTIQA+ collection.
Carried
unanimously.
X113760