Policy Update & An Apology
The Nonbinarian Bookstore was established as an extension of our mobile mutual aid initiative to provide free queer and trans books for all ages to communities in Brooklyn. We strive to be a community space for all LGBTQIA2S+ individuals that operates in alignment with disability justice movements both in New York and across the country.
Unfortunately, by failing to provide a clear mask mandate and by allowing several of our events to be mask-optional, we have failed to stay aligned with our values and have caused great harm to our community.
We appreciate those of you who have called us in so we can make this right, and we apologize not just for the harm we’ve caused, but for taking so long to address this issue.
Effective immediately, masks will be required at the Nonbinarian Bookstore at all times, including during events, for volunteers, event coordinators, customers, and event attendees.
We encourage everyone to test as regularly as they are able, which we understand has been made increasingly difficult by our administration and its hostility toward providing accurate, accessible, and transparent public health information.
However, we will not accept any form of testing or vaccination proof as a substitution for masking at the Nonbinarian Bookstore. If you forget, break, or damage your mask, we will have surgical masks available on-site as a failsafe measure for collective protection. If you feel unwell, please stay home! All events will be staffed with at least two Nonbinarian volunteers to support these COVID-competent practices.
Additionally, moving forward*, all after-hours events will be capped at 40 people with no exceptions. This is for everyone’s physical safety and to mitigate overcrowding.
It is the Nonbinarian’s policy that our event partners respect and uphold the mask mandate and maximum capacity policy in alignment with disability justice and best practices for collective care. Event partners who violate either of these policies will be in breach of contract and the Nonbinarian will sever ties until demonstrable proof can be provided that these policies can and will be respected and upheld.
Thank you for your support in our first three months of the Bookstore. We hope to keep providing queer+ books, trinkets, and more for many, many months to come.
* An event planned for Friday, February 14 has a capacity of 50. All events after this date will be limited to 40 attendees.
Thank you for supporting the Nonbinarian Book Bike! Look for our next newsletter on the 1st of the month. In the meantime, follow us on social media for daily updates.