“A queer little bookstore” That’s how Kaitlyn Mahoney describes her creation Under the Umbrella Bookstore. Right here in Salt Lake City this bookstore isn’t just a shop. It’s a community hub a safe haven for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Under the Umbrella opened in November 2021. It started as a crowdfunding campaign on IndieGogo. Community support made Kaitlyn’s dream a reality. The store offers far more than just books.
It’s a vibrant space. It stocks books pins paintings candles and art prints. Everything is produced by or features members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Local artists have a space to showcase their work. This provides opportunities that didn’t exist before.
Kaitlyn’s vision stems from personal experience. She found it difficult to find books centering queer narratives. She wanted to create a place where such stories were readily available. Not just during Pride Month or hidden on a small shelf. Under the Umbrella is that place.
The bookstore goes beyond selling merchandise. It provides vital resources. Naloxone kits and fentanyl test strips are available. There’s a free gender-affirming closet. A pen pal program connects patrons with incarcerated individuals. A Little Free Library shares queer books. Used fiction books are discounted.
The Give and Take wall is unique. People pledge items for specific identities. A book for a Latinx person a sticker for a caffeinated bisexual. Anyone identifying with the pledge can receive the item for free. This fosters mutual aid within the community.
Under the Umbrella is a refuge. A space where people feel safe and accepted. Kaitlyn strives to provide a supportive and welcoming atmosphere for all. She wants people to feel comfortable with who they are. She wants everyone to know they’re not alone. This store provides that sense of belonging.
This isn’t just a shop. It’s a movement. A testament to community resilience and the power of representation. Under the Umbrella Bookstore is much more than a bookstore. It is a symbol of hope a beacon of acceptance and a testament to the strength of the LGBTQIA+ community in Salt Lake City. Come see for yourself.