A pop-up library in Taguig City is offering visitors the chance to take home free books by Filipino queer authors this weekend, as part of a global initiative celebrating LGBTQIA+ storytelling.

The Aesop Queer Library opened Friday, June 26, at its store in SM Aura in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), marking the program’s first-ever staging in Southeast Asia.

Running from June 26 to 28, the three-day event features nearly 2,000 books across 29 local titles, all written by Filipino authors or centered on queer narratives.

Visitors are allowed to choose one book to take home for free, with no purchase required, on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Queer Library is an annual initiative launched by Aesop in 2021 to promote LGBTQIA+ voices through literature.

The project aims to highlight how storytelling can shape culture and foster greater understanding of queer identities and experiences.

Organizers said the Philippine edition focuses on amplifying local perspectives, giving readers access to works that reflect the diversity of the country’s queer community.

Beyond free books, the space also serves as a gathering point for readers and advocates, offering an opportunity to connect over shared interests in literature and identity.

Interest in the event has been boosted online, with content creator “Koji’s Book Club” noting that the initiative allows visitors to “get one queer book, written by a Filipino author, for free.”

With limited copies available, organizers encourage early visits as demand is expected to be high throughout the weekend.