Circus of Books
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Circus of Books

In 1976, Karen and Barry Mason had fallen on hard times and were looking for a way to support their young family when they answered an ad in the Los A...ngeles Times. Larry Flynt was seeking distributors for Hustler Magazine. What was expected to be a brief sideline led to their becoming fully immersed in the LGBT community as they took over a local store, Circus of Books. A decade later, they had become the biggest distributors of gay porn in the US. The film focuses on the double life they led, trying to maintain the balance of being parents at a time when LGBT culture was not yet accepted. Their many challenges included facing jail time for a federal obscenity prosecution and enabling their store to be a place of refuge at the height of the AIDS crisis. Circus of Books offers a rare glimpse into an untold chapter of queer history, and it is told through the lense of the owners' own daughter, Rachel Mason, an artist, filmmaker and musician.

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Circus of Books is a 2019 documentary film that offers a unique perspective into an untold chapter of queer history. Directed by Rachel Mason, the film tells the story of her parents, Karen and Barry Mason, and their journey as they become fully immersed in the LGBT community during the 1970s and 1980s. It all started when the Masons answered an ad in the Los Angeles Times placed by Larry Flynt, who was seeking distributors for Hustler Magazine. What was originally intended to be a small venture quickly spiraled into something much larger, as the Masons took over a local store called Circus of Books.

Over the years, Circus of Books became the largest distributor of gay porn in the United States, serving as a hub for the LGBT community. However, the Masons led a double life, as they struggled to maintain a balance between their role as parents and their involvement in a culture that was not widely accepted at the time. They faced numerous challenges, including a federal obscenity prosecution that could have landed them in jail.

Additionally, Circus of Books became a place of refuge for the LGBT community during the height of the AIDS crisis, providing much-needed support and resources. Through the lens of Rachel Mason, an artist, filmmaker, and musician, the film delves into her parents' fascinating journey, shedding light on an often overlooked part of queer history.

Also Known As:

Circus of Books

Release Date:

22 Apr 2020

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination.