Atlanta Loses Its LGBT Bookstore

Atlanta's OutWrite Books is no more.

The independent LGBT bookstore, located for the last 15 years at its iconic landmark in Midtown, held its "Last Tango" at the store last night featuring authors such as Franklin Abbott, Collin Kelley, Hollis Gillespie, Mose Hardin, Karen Head and Don Perryman. Owner Philip Rafshoon confirmed the store was closing today. He said there is no new location picked out yet. The store is selling all of its infrastructure, including bookshelves, tables and chairs. The store must have its inventory out by tomorrow. The store announced in November it was having to close its doors at the iconic location in the heart of Midtown because of high rent. At this location, the bookstore served not only as a place for purchasing books and author readings but also as an unofficial community center for the LGBT community.