In1976,KarenandBarryMasonhadfallenonhardtimesandwerelookingforawaytosupporttheiryoungfamilywhentheyansweredanadintheLosAngelesTimes.LarryFlyntwasseekingdistributorsforHustlerMagazine.WhatwasexpectedtobeabriefsidelineledtotheirbecomingfullyimmersedintheLGBTcommunityastheytookoveralocalstore,CircusofBooks.Adecadelater,theyhadbecomethebiggestdistributorsofgaypornintheUS.Thefilmfocusesonthedoublelifetheyled,tryingtomaintainthebalanceofbeingparentsatatimewhenLGBTculturewasnotyetaccepted.TheirmanychallengesincludedfacingjailtimeforafederalobscenityprosecutionandenablingtheirstoretobeaplaceofrefugeattheheightoftheAIDScrisis.CircusofBooksoffersarareglimpseintoanuntoldchapterofqueerhistory,anditistoldthroughthelenseoftheowners’owndaughter,RachelMason,anartist,filmmakerandmusician.
In1976,KarenandBarryMasonhadfallenonhardtimesandwerelookingforawaytosupporttheiryoungfamilywhentheyansweredanadintheLosAngelesTimes.LarryFlyntwasseekingdistributorsforHustlerMagazine.WhatwasexpectedtobeabriefsidelineledtotheirbecomingfullyimmersedintheLGBTcommunityastheytookoveralocalstore,CircusofBooks.Adecadelater,theyhadbecomethebiggestdistributorsofgaypornintheUS.Thefilmfocusesonthedoublelifetheyled,tryingtomaintainthebalanceofbeingparentsatatimewhenLGBTculturewasnotyetaccepted.TheirmanychallengesincludedfacingjailtimeforafederalobscenityprosecutionandenablingtheirstoretobeaplaceofrefugeattheheightoftheAIDScrisis.CircusofBooksoffersarareglimpseintoanuntoldchapterofqueerhistory,anditistoldthroughthelenseoftheowners’owndaughter,RachelMason,anartist,filmmakerandmusician.