Launched by the Australian body care brand, the Aesop Queer Library celebrates LGBTQIA+ voices by giving away books focused on queer stories around the world, in cities like Melbourne, Berlin, New York, Taipei, Hong Kong, and, in 2026, its first Southeast Asia stop—Manila, on June 26 to 28 at SM Aura in Taguig City.

Free local queer books!

On its opening day, the boutique-turned-library drew queues that spanned multiple concourses. Carefully organized into a single file that snaked across the floors, visitors stood patiently to wait for their turn at selecting one free book and a bookmark.

The Aesop Queer Library offered a wide selection of books from esteemed publishers such as Anvil Publishing, Adarna House, and Milflores, providing a complete catalog for visitors to browse, as the lines and demand spared little time for thorough browsing. The event continued to draw crowds through its final day. The visitors served as testaments to the vitality of events like this that not only championed local queer stories, but also made it completely free to the public. 

Pride and visibility

With the theme “Body of Work: From Pulse to Page,” the free library advocated for the visibility of queer bodies that are “too often obscured from view” and centering it as an “act of joyful resistance,” according to Aesop’s official blog. The library featured 29 titles from local authors and publishers to choose from, including “Naratibô” by Bernadette "Det" Villanueva Neri and “Para Kay B” by Ricky Lee, who attended on separate days of the event.

Other authors also stopped by the library, such as Jerico Silvers, author of two books that were part of the catalogue, “Of Flowers That Bloomed at Night” and “Of Flowers That Bloomed in Fire.” 

In an interview with The Benildean, Tin, a student from Benilde, shared that the Aesop Queer Library was appealing to someone who had been looking for better access to queer literature, not only because they wanted to get back into reading, but also because “it’s very helpful for people who are struggling to feel seen, especially in this country.” 

Tin said they were grateful that the event is a part of the nation’s gradual progression for celebrating pride but noted that there is a long way to go against the backdrop of continued discriminatory harassment and legislative neglect. Tin went home with “Lamyos: New LGBTQ Fiction from the Philippines” by J. Neil C. Garcia.

For Keshiu, an Architecture student from Adamson University, the queer library was a place to look for stories that reflected his own. Arriving early before the mall opened, he found the experience “organized and smooth [because] they [the staff] were prepared and really accommodating talaga.” Keshiu brought home Ricky Lee’s “Kalahating Bahaghari,” which he had been eyeing, attached with a scented bookmark.

What lies ahead

Bea, a creator who makes book-related content, shared in an interview with The Benildean that she heard about the event through a fellow content creator, as well as on the pages of authors like Chuckberry J. Pascual. 

“I wanted to see the selection of queer PH lit that they had there so I could add more books to my TBR… so it was really to get more ideas of titles I could check out in the future, especially with MIBF soon.” 

Bea felt that the occasion was more than just a strategy to spread Filipino literature—it was a “stepping stone to a more safe and inclusive society” through representation and a sense of belonging of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies in literature, and, in general, opened doors to greater accessibility.  Bea brought home a copy of Pascual’s “The Gathering Bees.”

The Aesop Queer Library wrapped up with unceasing pride as a silver lining for accessible literature, let alone local, queer, and totally free of charge. As Pride Month came to a close, there is a new dawn for queer voices to take center stage and cement the community as a pioneer of free literature.

To catch up more on the annual Pride library and come across more queer literature, visit Aesop’s social media pages and take the time to check out local authors, publishers, and small presses!