Lambda Rising is the oldest LGBT bookstore in Washington, D.C., and has long been recognized as one of the world's leading LGBT bookstores. Started by Deacon Maccubbin in 1974 with 250 titles, it is now known for its wide selection of books, ranging from queer theory and religion to erotica, as well as DVDs, music CDs and gifts. To support LGBT literature, Lambda Rising created the Lambda Book Report in 1987 and the Lambda Literary Award in 1989. In 1996, Lambda Rising helped form the Lambda Literary Foundation to take over both of those tasks.