Jim MacSweeney has worked at Gay’s the Word for over 30 years and managed it for more than 20 years, after taking over from Paud Hegarty. 

As the oldest LGBT bookshop in the UK, it’s survived gentrification, homophobic attacks, Amazon, police raids and the rise of the commercial gay scene. 

Jim speaks to Queer Recollections about the history of this small but mighty bookshop, it's accidental role in the fight against state censorship, and the profound moments that occur within the shop on a daily basis.