Local gay guide
Mapping the Gay Guides
Visualizing Homosexual Space and American Life
Welcome to Mapping the Same-sex attracted Guides!
While operating one of his many gay bars in the s, Bob Damron started a side project publishing gay move guides that featured bars like his. Called the Bob Damron Address Books, these guides proved well-liked and became a valuable resource for gay travelers looking for friends, companions, and safety.
First published in an era when most states banned same-sex love both in public and private spaces, these tour guides helped gays (and to a lesser extent lesbians) find bars, cocktail lounges, bookstores, restaurants, bathhouses, cinemas, and cruising grounds that catered to people like themselves. Much favor the Green Books of the s and s, which African Americans used to find friendly businesses that would cater to black citizens in the era of Jim Crow apartheid, Damron’s guidebooks aided a generation of homosexual people in identifying sites of community, pleasure, and politics.
Damron’s guidebooks were part of a growing interest in gay travel instruction publications that began i
Going to Turkey? Here’s every LGBTQ traveller needs to know
Turkey is a pleasant country in Western Asia that many travellers visit for its beautiful beaches, breathtaking landscapes, and historic cities. It is a fairly conservative country, which is reflected in its attitudes towards LGBTQ people. For gay travellers in Turkey, there are safety concerns to be mindful of when it comes to public verbalization, both in the cities and in rural areas. But don’t let that stop you from exploring the territory and visiting its vibrant LGBTQ communities.
Safer gay travel in Turkey
To be transparent, Turkey does not outlaw being homosexual. In fact, it has been legal since the founding of modern Turkey in However, general bans on “offences against public morality” are often used against LGBTQ statement. Even heterosexual couples are advised not to publicly exhibit their affection, and LGBTQ couples are advised to be extra careful. LGBTQ people are not protected by anti-discrimination laws, and a general rule of thumb of “don’t ask, don’t tell” is the safest way
Our handpicked local gay guides are the heart of every experience. As Diverse locals, they create an real, personal connection that makes you forget you're a tourist – and lets you feel love a local from the very first step.
With them, you’ll investigate vibrant neighborhoods beyond the usual tourist zones – discovering veiled cafés, special locations, and the energy of real queer experience. Whether it's a tucked-away homosexual bar only locals know, an LGBTQ+ art spot, or a scenic walk with local flavor, our guides bring each metropolis to life with passion and pride.
From Berlin to Bogotá, Paris to Mexico City – our gay tours blend cultural highlights with the soul of the community. Anticipate genuine stories, safe and inclusive experiences, and a deeper connection to the places you visit.
It’s not just travel. It’s your gateway to real LGBTQ+ identity around the world.
Gay Istanbul &#; the finest gay hotels, bars, clubs &#; more
Istanbul is quite literally where East meets West. In fact, it is the world’s only transcontinental city, with the Bosphorus Strait running through the city and dividing it into a European and an Asian side. The influences of both continents combine within Istanbul’s culture, cuisine, and the more liberal attitudes of its people—at least in comparison to its neighbors. However, Istanbul is very much its own place with a strong personality.
The former seat of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires is also a grandiose sight to behold. The million-plus city takes you back to historic Constantinople as grand mosques, ancient markets, bustling bazaars, and magnificent palaces reflect a rich and fascinating past shaped over the centuries by the Greeks, Persians, Romans, Venetians, and Ottomans. It also makes for a great jumping-off direct for short trips to nearby Bursa, Troy, and the Prince’s Islands, or for deeper excursions into Turkey. Although Istanbul has a surprisingly large lgbtq+ nightlife scene and is relatively tolerant, it’