Circus of Books
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (adult material, bookstore) |
| Founded | 1960s |
| Founder | Unknown |
| Headquarters | West Hollywood , United States |
| Products | Gay adult material, adult novelties, LGBTQ literature, science fiction, newspapers |
Circus of Books, also referred to as Chi Chi LaRue's Circus, is a bookstore and retailer of gay adult material located in West Hollywood, California. Initially launched in the 1960s under the name "Book Circus," it previously operated additional outlets in the Silver Lake and Sherman Oaks districts of Los Angeles.
Both the West Hollywood and Silver Lake shops have become recognized landmarks within Los Angeles' LGBTQ history, having served as prominent gay cruising destinations during the late 20th century.
History
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Originally situated at 8230 Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, the store began as Book Circus. Facing financial difficulties in 1982, ownership was transferred to Barry Mason—an inventor and former special effects engineer—and his wife Karen, a former journalist. The couple had experience distributing Larry Flynt's publications. They rebranded the business as Circus of Books and expanded by opening a Silver Lake location. Besides gay pornography and adult novelties, their inventory included backlist paperbacks, literature by LGBTQ authors, science fiction titles, Bibles, and international newspapers.
During the Reagan administration in the 1980s, particularly following the Meese Report's release, authorities intensified enforcement against pornography. Circus of Books became entangled in an FBI sting operation; Barry Mason faced prosecution but was ultimately acquitted after his attorney mounted a First Amendment defense and following a corporate guilty plea. In 1989, due to complaints about attracting male sex workers, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department mandated that the West Hollywood store close between 2 AM and 6 AM. Additionally, a Sherman Oaks branch was shuttered in the 1990s because its proximity to an elementary school was deemed inappropriate.
The business experienced decline entering the 21st century. The Silver Lake outlet ceased operations on August 8, 2016; its former premises now house a cannabis dispensary though the original signage remains visible. The West Hollywood store closed on February 9, 2019. Rachel Mason—the Masons’ daughter who is an artist, musician, and filmmaker—attributed this closure to the widespread availability of gay pornography online and the emergence of cruising apps such as Grindr diminishing the necessity for physical venues like Circus of Books.
On January 18, 2020, the West Hollywood location reopened under new ownership by porn director and drag performer Chi Chi LaRue as Chi Chi LaRue's Circus. This iteration offers a more upscale selection compared to its predecessor.
Documentary film
The documentary Circus of Books, directed by Rachel Mason, premiered globally at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 26, 2019. It was featured as the opening night gala at the 2019 Outfest film festival. By April 2020, this film became available for streaming on Netflix.
See also
- Museum of Neon Art, which displays neon signs originally from the West Hollywood store.