Concrete Criticism: Austin’s LGBTQ+ Bookstore Gets a Hate-Fueled Makeover

In a shocking turn of events that absolutely no one saw coming—because who could possibly predict that a feminist, LGBTQ+ bookstore in Texas might face a little light vandalism during Pride Month?—BookWoman’s front window was artistically reimagined by an anonymous concrete enthusiast. The culprit, who clearly has a deep appreciation for avant-garde destruction, chose the window beneath a pride flag display, because subtlety is for cowards and people who don’t carry chunks of concrete in their pockets.\n\nAssistant manager Sarah Schoonhoven, who arrived to find the store’s new open-air concept, remarked, "They had to look for the thing, find it, and then choose a window." Truly, the dedication to craftsmanship here is inspiring. This wasn’t some spur-of-the-moment act of petty vandalism—no, this was curated hate. A hate crime with vision.\n\nThe community response was, predictably, heartwarming. Offers to repaint the window (because nothing says "solidarity" like a fresh coat of paint) and donations poured in, proving once again that the best way to combat bigotry is with capitalism. Buy a book, folks! Show those vandals what’s what by stimulating the economy.\n\nOwner Susan Post, a veteran of the feminist bookstore wars (yes, that’s a thing), noted that this isn’t her first rodeo with uninvited religious pamphleteers. "They can tell their god, ‘Look, I did something to combat this ungodly space,’" she said, rolling her eyes so hard they nearly fell out of her head. Post, who has been running the store since the disco era, is clearly unimpressed by this latest display of fragile masculinity.\n\nMeanwhile, Justin Galicz of Little Gay Shop chimed in with the understatement of the year: "We have seen an increase of slurs and day-to-day harassment." Wow, really? In Texas? Next you’ll tell me the sky is blue and Greg Abbott is a sentient pair of bootstraps.\n\nThe Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce issued a statement so full of corporate-friendly solidarity it could’ve been written by ChatGPT. "Hate has no home in Austin," they declared, conveniently ignoring the fact that hate does have a home in Austin—it’s just usually hiding behind a "Don’t Mess With Texas" bumper sticker.\n\nAnd because nothing says "resistance" like a benefit concert, customer Lisa Rogers is organizing a show with her band, The Therapy Sisters. Because if there’s one thing bigots hate more than queer people, it’s live music. So grab your wallets, your rainbows, and your sense of irony, Austin. The revolution will be literary—and possibly accompanied by a folk ballad.\n\nIn conclusion: Someone threw a rock. The gays rallied. Capitalism won. The end.\n\n(But seriously, go buy a damn book.)