The Aesop Queer Library

Amplifying queer voices

Founded on a belief in the transformative power of queer storytelling—its ability to broaden minds, embolden individuals and unite the community and its allies—the Aesop Queer Library returns to Taiwan, offering complimentary books by LGBTQIA+ authors. The ephemeral collection will appear at select stores in Taipei and Taichung—complemented by a mobile library that will take these illuminating reads on the road.

As the familiar regimented rows of Aesop formulations are cleared from the shelves, a colourful display of books by LGBTQIA+ authors takes their place, revealing the many modes of queer expression. For those unsure of which title to select, Aesop’s bibliophiles are on hand with personalised recommendations.   For this second edition, a mobile library was devised as a means of connecting various communities to these cherished works of queer literature. Starting in Taichung, this moveable literary feast will journey to Hsinchu and Taoyuan, en route to Taipei, stopping at a handful of Aesop stores along the way. The nomadic structure—mounted atop a bicycle—reimagines waste materials, breathing new life into reclaimed wooden pallets.

The Aesop Queer Library opens from: 28 October – 1 November at Aesop Daan, Taipei 4 – 8 November at Aesop Mitsukoshi Taichung

The itinerant branch of the Library stops at or near the following stores: Aesop Eslite Taichung on 5 November, 1 – 6pm Aesop Sogo Hsinchu on 6 November, 1 – 6pm Aesop Far Eastern Taoyuan and Aesop Mitsukoshi, Taoyuan on 7 November, 1 – 6pm Aesop Nanxi, Taipei on 8 November, 1 – 3pm Aesop Yongkang, Taipei on 8 November, 4 – 6pm

The reading list

Comprising books purchased from two renowned queer bookstores—Pure Books in Taipei and Paperbooks in Taichung—the collection includes works by Xue Chen and Weizhong Zhang, who share their thoughts on the importance of queer storytelling and representation in the arts below.

Peruse the full list

Xue Chen on appreciating diversity in all forms

Xue Chen is regarded as one of the pre-eminent voices of contemporary queer literature in Taiwan. In her work, the Taichung-born author reflects on the complexity of desire, gender identity and sexuality. Butterfly, her collection of short stories, was adapted into a film in 2004 by female director, Yan Yan Mak.

How do you hope people respond to your work?

In my early novels, such as The Bad Girl and Butterfly, I delved into aspects of female lust and issues related to the queer identity. I hope that this would normalise the perception of the LGBTQIA+ community so that we aren’t always regarded as 'the other'. We should all have the right to love freely and without discrimination, regardless of our gender and sexual orientation.

What role have queer spaces played in your life?

These places give me a sense of freedom to be myself; somewhere that I feel comfortable meeting my friends and engaging with the community—it is these connections that enrich my life.

What power do the arts hold for queer people?

Art is a lens through which life is reflected, where creativity opens the door to perspectives that are rich in diversity and also new ways of thinking. These stories have the power to elicit empathy so that marginalised voices can be heard.

What books from the LGBTQIA+ literary canon have influenced you?

Taiwanese writers, such as Qiu Miaojin, Bai Xianyong, and Ji Dawei, would be on my reading list.

Weizhong Zhang on playing one’s part

In his two-decade-long career, Taipei-born and Tokyo-based author Weizhong Zhang has published children’s books, travelogues, as well as works of fiction. His recent novel Men’s Talk About Time, follows the story of a middle-aged man reflecting on a long-lost love in his teenage years as he grapples with the lack of acceptance of same-sex relationships.

In his two-decade-long career, Taipei-born and Tokyo-based author Weizhong Zhang has published children’s books, travelogues and, works of fiction. His recent novel Men Talk About Time, follows the story of a middle-aged man reflecting on a long-lost love from his teenage years as he grapples with the lack of acceptance of same-sex relationships.

How do you hope people will respond to your work?

I hope that readers will find comfort in my work and that it encourages tolerance by opening their horizons to more expansive experiences of society. It takes all sorts to make a world, and although our stories are different, we are all on the same path in seeking fulfilment.

What has been a source of queer inspiration for you?

The team behind Sex Education, from the original screenwriter Laurie Nunn to producer Jon Jennings and the contributions of many others, for nuanced portrayal of the queer identity and issues. The show explores love in all forms, observing the many layers of emotion in different relationships.

How do you think art can amplify marginalised voices? 

Art opens the window for our voices to be heard, although there is a fine balance at play: if art is too high or low brow, it is only available to a niche audience. If it is more accessible, and not all art should live by this, then our voices will have a greater impact.

What role have queer spaces played in your life?

It is in our power to support the community, whether a space is queer-owned or run by allies. If a business is known to be discriminatory, we should stand together and boycott it.