About Always Here bookstore

Queer people have always been here, and will always be here.

A photo of two people stand behind a table that has four bookstacks, and two cats in front of the bookstacks.

Photos by @SlugSushi

About the store:

Always Here Bookstore is a queer and neurodivergent-owned bookstore that carries queer books for all ages! Always Here was born out of the belief that everyone deserves to see themselves in books, and that LGBTQ+ stories - especially those that are also BIPOC and/or disabled - are important, and they deserve to be told.

About us:

Hi! I’m Rafael (they/he)- A queer, nonbinary, neurodivergent person whose love of books was rekindled by a glasses prescription and a trip to the public library, and was strengthened by finding myself, my past, and my community in neurodivergent queer stories.

Hey there, I’m John (they/he). I read books, and do other stuff. I don’t know how anyone actually goes through with writing these. It’s stressful to sit down and go “here’s ‘me’ in one sentence, enjoy!” Rafael and I are getting gayer every moment, and reading books that remind me of that makes me cry. It’s good.

Meet the Team <3

  • A photo of Rafael, a white Latine person, from the waist up. They have shoulder length brown curly hair and are wearing a blue Kirby shirt and silver glasses. The background is purple. There is a rainbow effect on the left.

    Rafael (They/He)

    Co-Owner

  • A photo of John, a white person, from the waist up. They have straight shoulder length hair that is tied up behind their head, and are wearing brown glasses and a pink shirt. The background is green and there is a rainbow effect on the right.

    John (They/He)

    Co-Owner

  • A photo of Ralf, a brown tabby cat, sitting on a chair. She's wearing a floral collar. The background is purple and there is a rainbow effect on the left.

    Ralf (She/It)

    Supervisor

  • A photo of Oliver, an orange cat, sitting on a chair. He's wearing a floral collar. The background is green and there is a rainbow effect on the left.

    Oliver (He/Him)

    Moral Support