Glitch: A Bookshop Steeped in Feminist History
MUNICH The air hung heavy with the promise of summer, but a chill wind still bit at my exposed toes as I walked from my hotel towards Glitch, a queer bookstore tucked away on Barer Strasse 70. Two hours in flip-flops had left me shivering, but the warmth of the shop's welcoming atmosphere quickly dispelled the chill.
The shop assistant, noticing my state, offered me a cup of herbal tea, and as we chatted, I found myself asking, "Do you know where the lesbians are?"
She gave me a puzzled look. "I'm heterosexual, and I don't know many lesbians."
"They must come to your shop?" I ventured.
"Perhaps they do," she replied with a smile, "but how would I know?"
Touché.
Glitch is a cozy haven, overflowing with books. Most are in German, but a few shelves hold treasures in English, including two by Constance Debré, a French author I'd never heard of before. Intrigued, I bought them both. This is the magic of bookshops - uncovering hidden gems you never knew you needed. Glitch specializes in queer feminist literature, creating a space where questioning the norm is encouraged in all its diverse forms.
As the tea warmed me, I learned the shop's fascinating history. Last summer, it was Lillemor’s Frauenbuchhandlung und Galerie, a traditional feminist bookstore run by two women who were ready to retire. When no one expressed interest in taking over, they sadly closed the shop and donated their collection to Munich's literary archives.
But fate had other plans. Four women, moved by the loss of this cherished space, formed a collective, purchased the store, and breathed new life into it as Glitch. On their opening day, the original owners came by to offer their blessings. As a tribute, they kept Lillemor's sign, a reminder of the bookstore's legacy.
The original Lillemor’s opened in 1975, a collective of six women pioneering the first women's bookstore in Western Germany. They focused on feminist, lesbian, and non-fiction literature with a women-centric focus. Beyond books, Lillemor’s served as a vital meeting place for women seeking information and community. It was a haven for feminist groups and offered support for battered women, who lacked shelters in the 70s and 80s.
Before leaving, I asked the shop assistant if she knew of other queer spaces in Munich.
"I don't think there are many," she replied, "because so many of our customers tell us how happy they are that we're here."
