TRAVEL GUIDES 1949-1969

The first travel guide to be known for the ‘homosexual traveler’ was the Swasarnt Nerf's Gay Guides for 1949.

1949 First known guide for homosexuals. Swasarnt Nerf is a play on the French for sixty-nine.

This 172-page volume was lovingly published in 2010 by Hugh Hagius, who used several sources to capture a bit of gay culture through the 1950s. The Damron Guides did not begin until 1964, so the Guide information included here are rare privately circulated listings of bars, cruise areas, and much more, fresh off the mimeograph machines, and passed hand to hand to its audience. This copy is a reprint of a set of mimeographed (extremely low-tech method of printing) pamphlets that circulated in the New York gay underground. These were published by Swasarnt Nerf, whose real identity is unknown. Volumes were done in 1949, 1950, and one in the mid-50s. Very telling of the times is that each volume was entitled A Gay Girl's Guide, with the use of “girl" as "vocative, synonymous with darling, loosely by homosexuals with reference to themselves and their friends." These guides did not include photos, but the editor was able to intersperse private photos of gay New York beaches and city scenes from that time period, making this a more interesting read.

This publication also reprints an archive of more than 100 snapshots of New York gay life and gay beaches in the '40s and '50s, plus three photo essays: 1) Riis Beach during the clothing- optional '60s; 2) gay pornography of the '40s and '50s, and 3) physique magazines of the '60s. The last section is a national list of gay bars compiled by Lady Jai in Detroit around 1954. With reprints of the probably first Gay Guides: Gaedicker's Sodom-on-Hudson, Spring 1949, and The Gay Girl's Guide, 1949. Also with reprints (excerpts) from Gay Girl's Guide to the U.S. & the Western Worlds, Summer 1950, and Gay Girl's Guide to the U.S. & the Western Worlds, Mid-50s. There are no mentions of Oregon until Mid-50s edition.

1962 In the Michelle International ‘souvenir program’ from San Francisco it states, “Never before has a list of the more interesting spots throughout the country been published. We feel that most of the 'travel guides” list only such places as meets with the general approval of the Credit Cards and AAA. The following list is compiled through personal experiences. It is not guaranteed to be complete, and it is possible that some of the places have gone out of business, but it should serve as a guide to anyone taking a trip through the United States. Oregon is mentioned with 3 bars as stated in the program: Thank you: http://houstonlgbthistory.org/houston62.html

1950 - 1959 As stated above Gaedicker's Sodom-on-Hudson, Spring 1949, and The Gay Girl's Guide, 1949. Also reprints (excerpts) from: Gay Girl's Guide to the U.S. & the Western Worlds, Summer 1950, and Gay Girl's Guide to the U.S. & the Western Worlds, Mid-50s are believed to be the first alongside the 1949 Swasarnt Nerf edition. There appear to be no other guides during this time. Listings were alphabetical, and for this publication of 1949, and the Gay Girl’s Guide Mid-50s there is one listing in Oregon see below.

1963 Lavender Baedeker Guy Strait published the first edition of The Lavender Baedeker in 1963, an extension to his already popular newspaper in San Francisco entitled Citizen’s Guide. Oregon is listed in both Eugene and Portland. Another ‘guide’ printed during this time was a directory for photo work, modeling agencies, etc. Does not mention Oregon. Directory 43, First publication was in 1963, however no copy has been obtained.

1964 Directory 43 Portland and Eugene are mentioned.

Herman Lynn Womack started publishing the International Guild Guide a guide for gay men, “published in January of each year for $5.00,” featuring the Guild Press coding system to indicate what types of people frequented the various establishments in their international guide, by country and city.

1965 Herman Lynn Womack continued publishing the International Guild Guide a guide for gay men. Adding to the mix was a magazine published by Kenneth Marlowe “Around the World with Kenneth Marlowe” where cites places to visit. The magazine would be published for two years. [Below Right]

A second entry was Bob Damron publishing The Address Book. It was secretly published in 1965 by a man named Bob Damron, The discreet book listed every gay bar, restaurant, bathhouse, and eventually sex clubs and cruising spots in every major US city.  Published yearly and sold by Bob Damron himself, the address book became the easiest and safest way for gay men to find welcoming spaces to meet at a time when moral decency laws made gay-associated spaces prime targets for police raids, harassment, and arrests.  A member of the Mattachine Society, Damron was one of a few early pioneers in publishing gay listings. A San Francisco bar owner, Damron collaborated with fellow Mattachine Society member, Hal Call, to publish what was then known simply as “The Address Book”. In 2020 a group called “Mapping the gay guides” worked diligently to put various guides on the web: www.mappingthegayguides.org Bottom notice front cover of Directory 43. The directory was printed in 1965 as well, seeking Oregon information.