Over the last three decades, Rowland Thomson has been selling queer joy, dreams, and hopes hidden in the pages of the books at his bookstore, Hares and Hyenas. 

They have remained, over those years, the only brick and mortar bookstore to do so in Melbourne. 

An article by Q News showed that the early 1990s were a period of positive reform for the LGBTQIA+ community in Australia. This was also when Hares and Hyenas set up its first store on Commercial Road in the Melbourne suburb of South Yarra. 

In the years since, Australia’s LGBTIQA+ population has grown to become more recognised and represented. 

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that 4.5 per cent of the population that was 16 years and older identified as being a part of the community. Less than one per cent identified as trans, non-binary or gender diverse. 

Hares and Hyenas’ choice to remain queer inclusive in the years since, is a record in itself of this recognition. 

Thomson said the establishment of the store was inspired by demand for queer books in the 1980s, which bookstores at the time had difficulty keeping up with. 

“When we first opened, there were a few transgender titles, and in fact, there were so few that we were stuck in titles that weren’t positive to trans people, but at the same time, trans communities were still reading these titles, because they were looking for books that represented them,” Thomson said. 

Thomson also said it's important to support independent bookstores, because they have been losing sales to larger bookstores and e-delivery services. 

On a national level, according to a report published by the IBISWorld Industry Reports, the book store industry is highly competitive.

The best way to support bookstores, would be to buy books there, Thomson said. 

But Thomson also said that the importance of spaces like Hares and Hyenas was that they had the advantage of range, with a more diverse and varied selection to choose from and a staff with a greater understanding of what people want. 

“We’ve learnt over the last three or four months that you can’t assume that allies will stay allies, when the going gets tough. With queer owned and run businesses [...] you hopefully can know that they will be in it for the good fight [...] we’re a part of the fabric of the community,” Thomson said.