Circus of Books

In 1976, Karen and Barry Mason found themselves in financial difficulties and needed a solution to support their young family. Answering an ad in the Los Angeles Times, they began working with Larry Flynt, who sought distributors for Hustler Magazine. What initially seemed a temporary sideline quickly turned into a full-fledged venture when they took over Circus of Books, a local store that served the LGBT community. Fast forward a decade, and they had become the largest distributors of gay pornography in the United States. The documentary sheds light on their double life, as they strived to balance parenthood during a period when LGBT culture faced widespread discrimination. Their journey involved confronting potential jail time due to federal obscenity charges, while simultaneously transforming their store into a sanctuary during the peak of the AIDS crisis. “Circus of Books” is a fascinating window into a lesser-known segment of queer history, recounted by the owners’ own daughter, Rachel Mason, who brings her perspective as an artist, filmmaker, and musician. Stream and watch “Circus of Books” online for free here on Soap2day. This powerful documentary is also accessible via 123Movies, awaiting your viewing pleasure.