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As Eric Gonzaba, a historian at California State University, Fullerton, explains, Damron, a white, gay man from San Francisco, “started just writing down lists of locations that he would visit, … places he either found other gay men or he felt accepted.” Ostensibly universal, Damron’s handbook, first published in 1964 and still released annually, was actually directed toward a specific-and secretive-audience. An introductory note reassures readers that the information contained within the volume is up-to-date, while classifications written in abbreviated parentheticals offer travelers additional details on specific establishments: An asterisk, for example, indicates a place is “very popular,” while the letter “D” specifies if a bar or club has space for dancing.
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Bars, restaurants, hotels and businesses are grouped by city and state, their names and addresses listed in alphabetical order. Screenshot via Mapping the Gay Guides / Photo illustration by Meilan SollyĪt first glance, Bob Damron’s Address Book reads like any other travel guide. Mapping the Gay Guides’ main function is preserving and publicizing an overlooked, under-studied chapter in LGBTQ history.