A key source for this specific data was small guidebooks originally published for gay and lesbian travelers. These books functioned in a similar way to The Jewish Vacation Guide had done [see below]. First published around 1916, compiled these addresses, alongside a whole network of Jewish-owned or Jewish-friendly places where it was safe for Jews to eat, sleep, and visit. Published in the Yiddish press, served as a vital tool in navigating the potential danger of Jewish travel in early America.It is unclear when the book ceased publication. Negro Motorist Green Book aka Green Book which helped African-American travelers find welcoming hotels, restaurants, and services from 1936 until 1967, three years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act, the Green Book ceased publication.[see below] The book’s cover warned: “Carry your Green Book with you … you may need it… ” Black motorists risked exclusion from “Whites only” spaces, police harassment, physical violence and even lynching.  While no one source of information provides an accurate picture of the past, for anyone conducting a mapping or place-based history of LGBTQ life in the USA, travel guides are an invaluable and highly recommended source of data.* Where Was That? : Using Travel Guides to Reconstruct LGBTQ History - University Libraries | Washington University in St. Louis (wustl.edu)

Also, Off the Shelf #24: The Road Is Calling: Gay Travel and Tourism Writing – Rainbow Round Table Book and Media Reviews (ala.org)

One great resource is the paper Gay Spaces: Travel Guides and Maps for the LGBTQ Community, 1969-2001 by Jack Swab a Graduate Student: M.A. in Geography and M.S. in Library Science, University of Kentucky.

Below are a few that were published as early as 1950. More research is needed. It should be noted that a lot of gay history can be traced by using Gay Guides, they are just hard to find.

1950

• ONE Magazine: This was another magazine published by ONE Inc., another gay rights group that emerged from the Mattachine Society. It started in 1953 and ran until 1967. It featured articles, stories, poems, and reviews on gay issues and interests. It also included a section called “ONE Institute Quarterly” that provided information on gay-friendly places and events around the world.

• The Le Guide Gris, also known as The Grey Guide, was an international gay travel guide that played a significant role during the 1960s,and billed itself as “the first-ever travel guide written specifically for gay male travelers”. Published by the Mattachine Society only nine editions were published. The guide included listings of various establishments such as bars, nightclubs, saunas, beats, and hotels across different cities and regions. It specifically catered to gay male travelers, providing valuable information on LGBTQ+ spaces. Oregon is not mentioned, the guide concentrated on international travel.

• Annual Publication: Le Guide Gris was planned as an annual publication, making it one of the earliest travel guides specifically tailored for gay travelers

• The Ladder: This was a magazine that was published by the Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian rights organization in the U.S. It started in 1956 and ran until 1972. It aimed to educate and empower lesbian women and to promote social acceptance of homosexuality. It also included a section called “Around the World” that reported on lesbian news and activities in different countries.

These publications were not strictly travel guides, but they did offer some guidance and support for gay travelers in the 1950s. They were also very influential in advancing the gay rights movement and creating a sense of community among queer people.

1960

• Bob Damron’s Address Book: This was a pocket-sized guide that listed known queer haunts across the U.S., as well as their defining features, such as nightlife, underground scene, or friendly bartenders. It was started by Bob Damron, a gay businessman from San Francisco, in 1964, and was published annually until 2019. It was considered a lifeline for gay travelers in the 1960s and 70s.

• The Address Book: This was another guidebook that covered queer-friendly venues in the U.S. and Canada, as well as some international destinations. It was first published in 1962 by the Mattachine Society, one of the earliest gay rights organizations in the U.S. It also included information on local laws, health services, and social groups for queer people.

• The Lavender Baedeker: This was a guidebook that focused on the South and the Midwest regions of the U.S., where queer spaces were more scarce and hidden. It was first published in 1966 by Louie Crew, a gay activist, and poet from Alabama. It used coded language and symbols to indicate the type and level of acceptance of each venue, such as restaurants, hotels, bars, and parks.

• The Spartacus International Gay Guide: This was a guidebook that covered over 100 countries and offered information on gay bars, clubs, hotels, saunas, beaches, and cruising areas. It was first published in 1969 by John D. Stamford, a British publisher and activist who lived in Amsterdam. It also included ratings of each country’s gay-friendliness and legal situation.

• The International Gay Travel Planner: This was a guidebook that focused on Europe and North America and provided detailed descriptions of gay-friendly venues, events, organizations, and publications. It was first published in 1968 by the Homophile Action League, a gay rights group based in Philadelphia. It also included maps, illustrations, and photographs2.

• The Gayellow Pages: This was a guidebook that listed gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses, services, organizations, and publications in the U.S. and Canada. It was first published in 1969 by Leonard Fink, a gay photographer and activist from New York. It also included tips on travel safety, health, and legal issues.

• The Male World Guide. Not much is known about this publication, only the 1966 guide has been found. It appears that it was a travel guide specifically aimed at gay male travelers. Copyright by Kensten Developments. Oregon is mentioned.

• Gay tourist cruise news & world report. The only issue found is from 1965, not much detail about this publication and Oregon is not mentioned.

• Bold. The only issue found is from 1968, however, not much detail about this publication and Oregon is not mentioned.

• Your Trip. The only issue found without a date, however not much detail about this publication though Oregon is mentioned.

• The Guild Guide [also known as the International Guild Guide]: This was a guidebook that covered queer-friendly venues in the U.S. and Canada, as well as some international destinations. It was published by Guild Book Service, one of the leading distributors of gay publications in the 1950s and 1960s. It also included information on local laws, health services, and social groups for queer people.

• Directory 43, was a significant gay bar guide that provided valuable information for LGBTQ+ travelers during that era. It was published by Directory Services, Inc. (DSI) and it was a precursor to the more well-known Damron Address Books and other gay travel guides that followed. The guide listed gay bars, baths, and other relevant establishments across various cities, helping gay individuals connect with like-minded communities and explore nightlife and social spaces. Oregon was prominently listed.

• Incognito Guide - Copies from 1965-1972 have been found, it appears this is more of an international travel guide - Oregon is not mentioned.

1970

• Damron continued to publish guide books.

• The Spartacus International Gay Guide: This guidebook focused on towns, beaches, and cruising areas. It was first published in 1970 by John D. Stamford, a British publisher and activist who lived in Amsterdam. It also included ratings of each country’s gay-friendliness and legal situation.

• The Guild Guide [also known as the International Guild Guide]: This guidebook covered queer-friendly venues in the U.S. and Canada, as well as some international destinations. It was published by Guild Book Service, one of the leading distributors of gay publications in the 1950s and 1960s. It also included information on local laws, health services, and social groups for queer people.

• The International Gay Travel Planner: This a guidebook that focused on Europe and North America and provided detailed descriptions of gay-friendly venues, events, organizations, and publications. It was first published in 1968 by the Homophile Action League, a gay rights group based in Philadelphia. It also included maps, illustrations, and photographs.

• Barfly. The Barfly travel guides from the 1970s were published by Advocate Publications, Inc. and provided listings for gay bars, baths, and other queer venues. These pocket-sized guides were usually stapled, booklet-style 'pocket guide' measuring approximately 3" x 4.5", and around 85 pages At this time it appears that they were only published during the 1970s.

• International Man-to-Man Guide. At this time, there is only one known publication, 1972, Oregon is not included.

1980 -

• Damron continued to publish guidebooks.

• Exclusively Out and About Per inside cover: Our Best To You Exclusively Out and About is pleased to publish this, our first guide and directory to Oreogn’s largest and most vibrant city, Portland, the City of Roses. Publication dates are not known, the first was published in 1983 [it appears it was published through 1985, still checking on other dates. Portland Oregon is the basis for this book and its businesses.

• The Just Out Pocket Book. The Just Out Pocket Book is an annual directory. Per the inside cover: “A Resource Guide for Lesbian and Gay Oregon will become your best friend, it will guide you to services, professionals, and businesses which welcome you as a valued client or customer. Publication dates are not known at this time. Oregon businesses are highlighted.

• In Touch 1980s Gay Men's Guide; Guidebook from In Touch magazine [In Touch: The Magazine for a Different Point of View" was published by In Touch, Inc. out of Los Angeles, California. A high-quality, glossy, Newsweek-size magazine containing 100 pages including front and rear covers. The issue features articles, personalities, arts and entertainment, reviews, illustrations, and tasteful male nude photographs.] with listings of gay-friendly bars and meeting places in the United States and Canada.

• Places of Interest; Guidebook targeting LGBTQ people traveling in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. Not much is known about this publication except for a small notice in the Capitol Forum newspaper (Salem, Oregon April 1981) that Marianne Ferrari was the publisher also published under Ferrari Publications.

• More data to come

1990

• Damron continued to publish guidebooks. - more data to come

2000 - more data to come

• Damron continued to publish guidebooks.

2010 - more data to come

2020 - more data to come

Online websites:

• Queer In The World - LGBT Travel Guides Stated on their website: “Our mission is to inform, inspire, connect, and empower the global LGBT+ community by shining a light on the world’s most fabulous gay destinations. We offer guides to 200+ cities worldwide and know the best gay bars, hotels, clubs, saunas, parties, beaches, and not-to-be-missed experiences. Plus films, fashion, pop culture, gay events, and much, much more.”

1949-1969

TRAVEL GUIDES

In 1999, the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest published A WALKING TOUR OF DOWNTOWN PORTLAND: A Century of Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Historic Sites. It’s not quite a travel guide, but it will help you travel the city of Portland! Part 1 Part 2 [you might have to rotate the files - sorry!]