MALE STRIPPERS

Portland like most major cities in the 1960s had bars/taverns that promoted “go-go boys” this became part of the entertainment in the gay culture and advertised as such. Per History of go-go dancing - Patpong Museum “Many go go clubs that are frequented by gay patrons have male go go dancers often called go go boys. Go go boys in gay clubs are especially popular from 1965 to 1968. After that time, their popularity slowed down a bit, until 1988 when go go dancers became popular again at gay clubs.

Nowadays, male go-go dancers are more common and popular in American culture especially in major cities such as New York and Los Angeles. In today’s club scene, you can find more male go-go dancers than female go go dancers. This is a big turnaround from the 1960s.”

The trend changed from guys with shorts or swim trunks not to spur any police raids but still entertain patrons. As the sexual revolution progressed and laws changed stripping in gay clubs became more popular - though not allowing nudity or touching, many patrons were excited to see the change.

Per Wikipedia: Stripper - Wikipedia Until the 1970s, strippers in Western cultures were almost invariably female, performing to male audiences. Male and female strippers also perform for gay and lesbian audiences respectively, as well as for both sexes in pansexual contexts.

The modern male stripper show usually involves full nudity, although sometimes they may retain underwear, especially g-strings, bikini briefs or thongs throughout the show, or only remove all clothing for a brief time.

Gender Roles, Sexuality, and the Male Strip Show: The Structuring of Sexual Opportunity

PAULA L. DRESSEL and DAVID M. PETERSEN Gender Roles, Sexuality, and the Male Strip Show: The Structuring of Sexual Opportunity on JSTOR

Portland’s bars were no different. Demas Tavern advertised in the early 1970s “go-go boys and pool”. In the era of AIDS around 1981 and the closing bathhouses and bookstores – came a new era and that was male strippers featured at local bars and continues to present day. Below are just a few of the ads that were placed in newspapers about male strippers.

LISTING OF MALE STRIP BARS

Darcelle XV Showplace 1974-2020 J & J Tavern 1978-1981 Silverado (1) 1988- 2007 Silverado (2) 2007-2018 Silverado (3) 2018-present Stag PDX 2015-present Fuzzy Navels 2022-present  Silent Partners Three Sisters

Late 1960s-1970s there were various bars/taverns with go-go boys these are not listed.

Above Left [need citation] Above Middle ad in the City Week newspaper December 26, 1986. Above Right an ad in 1988 La Femme Program. Below Left an ad in City Week newspaper, Feb 20-26, 1987. The Below Middle ad is also from the City Week newspaper, May 8, 1987. Below Right ad is from the City Week newspaper, Feb 20-26, 1987

Male stripper photo from Julie Rodgers collection