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An Open Letter to Amazon.com

To: Patricia Smith
Director of Corporate Communication, Amazon.com

From: Christopher Rice
Board President, Lambda Literary Foundation

Lambda Literary Foundation applauds Amazon.com for their quick and decisive response to an apparent computer glitch that had the effect of marginalizing large numbers of LGBT-focused books. Within forty-eight hours of the problem coming to national attention, most of the writers whose books were affected by this issue reported to us that their sales rankings had been restored and their books could once again be found through general searches. There is no arguing with the speed and scope of Amazon's technical response to this issue. We are impressed and we are encouraged. But more importantly, we would like to thank you for restoring the visibility of LGBT writers.

It is our conclusion that Amazon is committed to offering the customer the most complete selection of titles available. This is good news to us. Inherent in this business decision is a commitment to inclusion and diversity, and this commitment can be used to serve LGBT writers who are often marginalized or rendered invisible by homophobia and cruel market forces. Prior to the events of Easter Weekend, Amazon had demonstrated business policies that were inclusive of LGBT writers and their work. You remain a loyal and generous customer to most of our LGBT small presses, and Book Surge, your self-publishing instrument, has been a welcoming home to LGBT writers who have yet to gain access to mainstream publishers.

That said, the Lambda Literary Foundation is excited about this opportunity to open a dialogue with you about the numerous ways in which LGBT visibility is compatible with your highly successful business model. We were very pleased to hear that you are taking steps to prevent a repeat of this problem, and we look forward to being a knowledgeable participant in this process

LLF Statement on Amazon Controversy

April 13, 2009--In response to the recent uproar over Amazon's deranking of "adult" titles and its effect on LGBT books, Board President Christopher Rice has released this statement:

"Lambda Literary Foundation applauds the diligent work of writers, bloggers and activists in calling attention to this deeply distressing turn of events. I have seen my first novel stripped of its sale ranking by this apparent computer glitch so I join other writers who are baffled to the point of anger. I take great solace in the quick mobilization of our community in response to this apparent marginalization of LGBT books; the grassroots power of the Internet has been placed on glorious display for all to see. Over the next few days, we at Lambda Literary will be monitoring the situation very closely. Amazon is one of our nation's largest general book retailers. In their commitment to creating and sustaining technological advances in the publishing industry, they have laid claim to the future of book distribution. As such, they have a pressing responsibility to create an unfettered exchange of stories and ideas. If a quick and decisive response to this problem is not forthcoming within the next few days, we at Lambda Literary look forward to leading a sustained and impassioned dialogue on this issue, which will seek to harness the energies that have been released by our community's admirable response."

Hear Christopher Rice discuss Amazon on NPR's All Things Considered.

See related articles at The Advocate's website.