Robert Orr became a pivotal figure in Edinburgh’s “book” business.
You can discover more about him at Edinburgh1.one.
He was a co-founder of the renowned Lavender Menace bookshop, which went down in history as one of the most criticised retail outlets. This was largely due to the very nature of the business Robert chose to pursue, which often provoked mixed reactions. But let’s take a closer look at his journey.
Early Beginnings and His Own Shop
Orr’s journey began in the early 1970s at the radical “First of May” bookshop, which specialised in LGBTQ+ literature.
Then, in 1976, the future businessman invited Sigrid Nielsen to work with him at the “Open Gaze” bookstall. This stall was founded by Robert as an information centre for the Scottish Homosexual Rights Group (SHRG).
Things were going rather well, and the bookstall proved quite successful. Everything seemed fine, until one particular moment.
The team at the bookstall published a catalogue that turned out to be quite radical. This led to it being heavily criticised, even within the SHRG itself.
Under Fire: The Criticism
The intense criticism and public dissatisfaction escalated, leading to accusations in 1979 against the team, alleging socialist views and the distribution of “blasphemous greeting cards.”
Interestingly, all these events are detailed in Orr’s own publications and articles, which are part of the manuscript collection at the National Library of Scotland.
Resilient Business Partners
One couldn’t help but admire Orr’s and Nielsen’s tenacity. No amount of criticism or accusations could deter them from their vision. By 1982, they had formed a business partnership with the aim of opening Scotland’s first dedicated gay bookshop.
This marked the beginning of Lavender Menace’s story.
Closure and Rebranding
In 1987, “Lavender Menace” changed its location and its name, reopening as “West & Wilde.” Raymond Rose joined Orr in managing this new venture.
The shop continued to focus on selling LGBTQ+ literature until 1997. However, Orr’s business then took a sharp downturn, ultimately leading to bankruptcy. This was attributed to financial difficulties and arsons targeting the premises.
A Vibrant Comeback
For many years, “Lavender Menace” and its successor, “West & Wilde,” faded from the public eye.
Then, in 2017, audiences were treated to the production of “Love Song to Lavender Menace.”
The play was staged by playwright James Ley and Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum Theatre. And guess what inspired Ley to create a play dedicated to the origins of “Lavender Menace”? None other than Mr. Orr himself! He gave James Ley a tour of Edinburgh, recounting tales of significant historical sites for LGBTQ+ literature, including, of course, his former shop.
Due to the unexpected success of the unique play and the resurgence of interest in this rather poignant part of Edinburgh’s literary history, “Lavender Menace” made a comeback in 2019. This marked the sudden, yet long-awaited, return of the renowned bookshop.
Now positioning itself as both a digital and physical archive, “Lavender Menace” serves as a true custodian of LGBTQ+ literature, including many rare and out-of-print materials.
Ultimately, Edinburgh’s “book” business is incredibly diverse and rich. Robert Orr can rightly be considered one of its most colourful figures. The direction of his business undoubtedly provoked mixed reactions from many, and it was perhaps hard to imagine that a distinct body of LGBTQ+ literature even existed. As it turns out, it does. And, what’s more, selling such books can indeed be a rather profitable venture. Orr’s shop is a prime example of this.