Swasarnt Nerf's Gay Guides for 1949

H. Hagius

This is the reprint of a set of mimeographed (extremely low-tech method of printing) pamphlets that circulated in the New York gay underground. It gives a list of bars and cruising places and much, much more, for New York, the U.S.A., and finally the entire World for the period from 1949 through the mid-'50. 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.