support the nonbinarian

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The Nonbinarian Book Bike (@nonbinarianbike) is a trans+ led mobile mutual aid initiative distributing free LGBTQIA2S+ books for all ages throughout Brooklyn.

Founded in October 2022, The Nonbinarian Book Bike was formed to provide access to and promote representation of queer stories for all ages, directly bringing LGBTQIA2S+ books to the folks that need them most.

With the opening of the bookstore, we will continue operating the book bike as before, getting on the road in seasonally appropriate weather to distribute free LGBTQIA2S+ books for all ages to book deserts throughout Brooklyn.

With the bike at the bookstore when not in use, folks will be able to visit the book bike & get free queer books year-round.

Contributing to our GoFundMe is the most direct way to help us in commissioning a  replacement to reclaim our book bike, but spreading the word helps more people hear about the fundraising initiative. 

Trans+ owned & entirely queer focused, from inventory & programming to volunteers & partnerships. We carry exclusively queer authored books, with gifts from queer vendors & local art from queer makers. We sell new & used books, as well as offer "gay it forward" sponsor opportunities & will always have free books available from the Book Bike.

The Nonbinarian Bookstore is a mask mandatory space at all times, for customers, volunteers, event attendees, & partner organizers -- no exceptions.

Whenever possible, we intend to stock as many free resources - such as masks, COVID rapid tests, hand sanitizer, condoms, & period products - as we’re able, as well as giveaways such as bookmarks, stickers, pins, & more.

We especially want our store to become the "third place" our community deserves but does not have: a gathering place that doesn't revolve around alcohol/food/drink, practices COVID-consciousness, is not cost prohibitive, & actively cultivates a true safe space for folks to fully inhabit their lived queer experiences & share the kind of access intimacy that only comes from recognizing yourself in another & being empowered to take up space - together.

1130 President St. Brooklyn, NY 11225, in Crown Heights, at the corner of Rogers & President (entrance on Rogers, next to Polly's Cafe). Find us on Google Maps!

By public transit:

• Citibike: President St. & Nostrand Ave. (1 block)
• Train: 2 / 5 at President St Medgar Evers College (1 block); 3 / 4 train stop: Nostrand Ave (3 blocks)
• Bus: B49 at Rogers Ave & President St (1 block); B44 on Nostrand between Eastern Pkwy & Union St (3 blocks)

By car: Two blocks directly south of Eastern Parkway, between Bedford & Nostrand.

Landmarks: 2 blocks from the Brooklyn Community Pride Center, half mile from Prospect Park & the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Beginning 2025, regular store hours:

Tues-Thurs: 12pm-7pm
Fri-Sun: 11am-7pm

Mondays: closed

Please note: hours are subject to change, per volunteer COVID safety & risk exposure, or else for private events. We will announce these changes whenever possible on Instagram.

COVID policy for all events as well as during browsing hours: Masks required, no exceptions. We also have free masks, sanitizer, & rapid tests available & air purifiers in store.

Accessibility:

• Metal ramp to enter (holds up to 800s lbs.).
• Aisles/store floor accommodates mobility aids, strollers, & scooters.
• Bathroom accommodates some mobility aids.*
• Desk-height point of sale (< 3 ft.).
• Seating options (with/without arms; different heights).
• Free snacks on hand (for folks with diabetes, POTS, et. al.).
• Sensory-friendly hours (no music, lights dimmed) first & last hour of the day.

*Note: Our bathroom currently cannot accommodate a larger chair or scooter [as that would require a custom build out].

Future accessibility plans: We are working to install a grab bar for the bathroom & reverse the direction of the bathroom door hinge (so that it opens out, opposed to inward). 

Yes!

In order to distribute books for free on the book bike (& now in-store year-round), we crowdsource new & used inventory.

People are able to purchase books from our Bookshop.org wishlist or send/drop off books to our storefront at 1130 President St! 

We also accept used books for donation or appraisal to sell in store. See our Used Book Buy Policy page for more information on our criteria & buy back options.

We only accept books by queer authors in new, like new, or good condition; all ages, all genres, & in all languages.

Yes!

Volunteering for the book bike: Folks are able to volunteer as cyclists or book ambassadors of the book bike during any of our outings! We are currently on seasonal hiatus, but once the bike is back on the road, we'll make an announcement of future events & a call for volunteers.

Volunteering for the storefront: If you have a particular interest or skill you'd be willing to offer to help us as we start our bookstore without any capital, please complete this form. We often post calls for volunteers on social media when we have a specific need.

Please note: TGNC & QTBIPOC folks receive priority for any paid volunteer opportunities.

To get started, K., the founder of The Nonbinarian, is the sole proprietor on-site full-time, not taking a salary at this time. Co-owner, Jihye, is similarly volunteering their worker-ownership remotely, also not taking a salary at this time.

We intend to transition models in the spring/summer of 2025 into a worker-owner co-op! Many of the volunteers who've invested in The Nonbinarian the past two years will be our founding worker-owners.