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data-ttid="ContentHearContaer" class="ContentHearContaer-cGKRbE knDxNq"><div class="ContentHearHedAccredatnWrapper-GFiQf cDNVlV"><div data-ttid="ContentHearTleBlockWrapper" class="ContentHearTleBlockWrapper-cjmSKp eiGjZk"><div data-ttid="ContentHearRubric" class="ContentHearRubricBlock-LmpbT tPofh"><div data-ttid="ContentHearRubricDateBlock" class="ContentHearRubricDateBlock-kAQcZP fTFWxD"><div class="RubricWrapper-dKmCNX gPBNpL bric ContentHearRubricContaer-eTudtt iRsSlw"><a class="RubricLk-gRWSOU cwyjHY bric__lk" href="/entertament/books"><span class="RubricName-fVtemz cLxcNi">Books</span></a></div></div></div><h1 data-ttid="ContentHearHed" class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ ContentHearHed-NCyCC iUEiRd jdcWfa isouMH">This Book Tak You on a Rivetg Road Trip Through Ameri’s Queer Bars</h1></div><div class="ContentHearAccredatn-lfctVB etVsnJ ntent-hear__accredatn" data-ttid="ContentHearAccredatn"><div class="ContentHearDek-bIqFFZ eijTxK">Soclogist Greggor Mattson bar-hopped across the untry to unver the future of LGBTQ+ spac.</div><div class="ContentHearByle-kmPyCa emiglw"><span class="SpanWrapper-umhxW jvZaPI rponsive-asset ContentHearContributorImage-cvjZXn epCAJC"><picture class="RponsiveImagePicture-cWuUZO dUOtEa ContentHearContributorImage-cvjZXn epCAJC rponsive-image"><source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcSet=" 80w" siz="66px"/><source media="(m-width: 768px)" srcSet=" 90w" siz="66px"/><img alt="" class="RponsiveImageContaer-eybHBd fptoWY rponsive-image__image" src="></picture></span><div class="ContentHearByleContent-dpPmNn DRFq"><div data-ttid="BylWrapper" class="BylWrapper-KIudk irTIfE byl ContentHearByl-cZqgyJ bHLeKI"><p class="ByleWrapper-jWHrLH hdWCIC byle byl__byle" data-ttid="ByleWrapper" emProp="thor" emType="><span emProp="name" class="ByleNamWrapper-jbHncj fuDQVo"><span data-ttid="ByleName" class="ByleName-kwmrLn cYaBaU byle__name"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BylePreamble-iJolpQ iUEiRd bCbgyH gnILss byle__preamble">By 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bwyLBj"><div class="GridWrapper-cAzTTK kHBDeH grid grid-margs grid-ems-2 ArticlePageDisclaimerGrid-gIJgHl iraxbX grid-layout--adrail narrow wi-adrail"><div class="GridItem-buujkM stRKV grid--em grid-layout__ntent"><div class="TextBlockWrapper-bNZsMC bRiJpN StyledTextblock-SJflO kHgSzz disclaimer ArticlePageDisclaimer-jNIoBl cwGrok"><p class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ TextBlockText-gtrMkY iUEiRd fZLFPu kQegaj">All products featured on Them are penntly selected by our edors. However, when you buy somethg through our retail lks, we may earn an affiliate missn.</p></div></div></div><div data-ttid="ArticlePageChunks" class="ArticlePageChunks-fLyCVG eOdfIs"><div class="GridWrapper-cAzTTK kHBDeH grid grid-margs grid-ems-2 ArticlePageChunksGrid-hfxa bjczjj grid-layout--adrail narrow wi-adrail"><div class="GridItem-buujkM stRKV grid--em grid-layout__ntent"><div class="BodyWrapper-kufPGa bectqB body body__ntaer article__body" data-journey-hook="client-ntent" data-ttid="BodyWrapper"><div class="body__ner-ntaer"><p>To answer the qutn posed by the tle of his new book <a data-offer-url=" class="external-lk" data-event-click="{"element":"ExternalLk","outgogURL":"" href=" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><em>Who Needs Gay Bars?</em></a>, soclogist Greggor Mattson vised more than 300 of them across 39 stat. He unrtook this journey as a ath knell seemgly sound for bars servg LGBTQ+ people; by Mattson’s unt, 50% of all gay bars shuttered the 19 years om 2012 to 2021. Gentrifitn, broar social trends, and the rise of hookup apps have all played some role this wnowg, but there is ultimately no sgle explanatn for the prery facg the vast array of queer bars dottg the untry.</p><p>The book, which is subtled <em>Bar-Hoppg Through Ameri’s Endangered LGBTQ+ Plac</em>, is anized to sectns that addrs particular them (like ambivalence toward gay bars and who’s wele them) and typ of bars (cludg <a href=" target="_blank">lbian</a> and fetish bars). Each chapter tells the story of a bar that Mattson vised, om Troupe429 Norwalk, Connecticut to The Raven Anchorage, Alaska. Some bars are the only oasis servg queer people for around, while those big ci may be petg for attentn wh an entire gayborhood.</p><div><div class="ConsumerMarketgUnThemedWrapper-iUTMTf jssHut nsumer-marketg-un nsumer-marketg-un--article-mid-ntent" role="prentatn" aria-hidn="te"><div class="nsumer-marketg-un__slot nsumer-marketg-un__slot--article-mid-ntent nsumer-marketg-un__slot---ntent"></div><div class="journey-un"></div></div></div><p>“I did my bt to go out of my way to plac where I uld hear stori that I didn’t know,” Mattson tells <em>Them.</em></p><div class="Contaer-bkChBi byNLHx"></div><p>Beneath the stctural factors affectg gay bars, Mattson’s tle provok a perhaps more existential qutn: Who is the <em>we</em> who need gay bars? “Our muny is so diverse, and answers to that qutn e om particular pots of view,” Mattson says. We may gravate toward gay bars when we’re lonely, or when we move to a new cy — or we may not feel fortable them at all. But if we want them to be there when we do need them, “that means we, as a muny, need to thk about our spac,” Mattson says.</p><div class="AdWrapper-dQtivb fZrssQ ad ad---ntent"><div class="ad__slot ad__slot---ntent" data-no-id="7qri2"></div></div><p>Gay bars have played an tegral role the LGBTQ+ rights movement, not only durg flash pots like the <a href=" target="_blank">1969 Stonewall rts Manhattan</a>, but quieter, endurg ways too, such as ral areas, where Pri events and other muny outreach efforts are often anized si the lol bar. Given the hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills workg their way through stateho across the untry, the stak of g together, both to fight and fd joy, are latg every day.</p></div></div></div><div class="GridItem-buujkM fVLMby grid--em grid-layout__asi"><div class="StickyBoxWrapper-jfYB kNleGZ sticky-box"><div class="StickyBoxPrimary-dzWDWL cdhYoN sticky-box__primary"><div class="Contaer-bkChBi byNLHx"></div><div class="AdWrapper-dQtivb fZrssQ ad ad--rail"><div class="ad__slot ad__slot--rail" data-no-id="cl4jw"></div></div><div class="ConsumerMarketgUnThemedWrapper-iUTMTf jssHut nsumer-marketg-un nsumer-marketg-un--display-rail" role="prentatn" aria-hidn="te"><div class="nsumer-marketg-un__slot nsumer-marketg-un__slot--display-rail"></div><div class="journey-un"></div></div></div><div class="StickyBoxPlaceholr-grPmrg dxAvXx"></div></div></div></div><div class="RowWrapper-UmqTg HEhan full-bleed-ad row-mid-ntent-ad"><div class="StickyMidContentAdWrapper-fSBzwl drzyIa ad-stickymidntent"><div class="AdWrapper-dQtivb fZrssQ ad ad--mid-ntent should-hold-space"><div class="ad__slot ad__slot--mid-ntent" data-no-id="ldpjk"></div></div></div></div><div class="GridWrapper-cAzTTK kHBDeH grid grid-margs grid-ems-2 ArticlePageChunksGrid-hfxa bjczjj grid-layout--adrail narrow wi-adrail"><div class="GridItem-buujkM stRKV grid--em grid-layout__ntent"><div class="BodyWrapper-kufPGa bectqB body body__ntaer article__body" data-journey-hook="client-ntent" data-ttid="BodyWrapper"><div class="body__ner-ntaer"><p>Below, Mattson speaks to <em>Them</em> about the sights he gathered while puttg 10,000 on his r, sharg what he learned om talkg to gay bar owners and patrons about everythg om straight people their midst, strategi for keepg the doors open, and why bars that wele the entire muny are the way of the future.</p><div data-ttid="ProductEmbedWrapper" class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd ProductEmbedWrapper-dbbBkO hGAxXn eOBUm product-embed product-embed--image-left" data-em="{"dangeroHed":"Who Needs Gay Bars? by Greggor Mattson","brand":{"name":""},"id":"6490d7f95dab46fb30c1a6aa","offers":[{"offerUrl":"28","currency":"USD","purchaseUri":"]}"><a tabx="-1" aria-hidn="te" data-offer-retailer="Bookshop" data-offer-url=" class="external-lk BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BaseLk-eNWuiM ProductEmbedImageLk-dHxNy iUEiRd hSmufO kvPWzs bgZAlB" data-event-click="{"element":"ExternalLk","outgogURL":"" href=" rel="sponsored noopener" target="_blank"><span class="SpanWrapper-umhxW jvZaPI rponsive-asset ProductEmbedImage-cIdULW iluLcW"><picture class="RponsiveImagePicture-cWuUZO dUOtEa ProductEmbedImage-cIdULW iluLcW rponsive-image"><img alt="" class="RponsiveImageContaer-eybHBd fptoWY rponsive-image__image" src=" srcSet=" 120w, 240w, 320w, 640w, 960w, 1280w" siz="100vw"/></picture></span><p class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ ProductEmbedImageCredWrapper-jKDmYI iUEiRd dBrRAo gEhVWE">Ian Cldi</p></a><div class="ProductEmbedContent-kztPgY MfQJV product-embed__ntent"><div class="ProductEmbedHedWrapper-eVzhMb kcVySP"><div id="6490d7f95dab46fb30c1a6aa" class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ ProductEmbedHed-kvwLfM iUEiRd jsgzTv fCVfVZ">Who Needs Gay Bars? by Greggor Mattson</div></div><div class="ProductOfferListWrapper-bqpHEj cvoxld product-offer-list ProductEmbedCTA-iEJcDb gjXEJL product-embed__cta"><div class="ProductOfferWrapper-dpcYKd hBwhMM product-offer-list__offer product-offer"><div class="ProductOfferCtaBlock-bduvOV fbJiRZ product-offer__cta-block" id="button_label_$28atBookshop"><a href=" rel="sponsored noopener" target="_blank" aria-scribedby="6490d7f95dab46fb30c1a6aa" aria-label="$28 at Bookshop" data-buy-button="te" data-offer-retailer="Bookshop" data-offer-url=" class="BaseButton-bLlsy ButtonWrapper-xCepQ gJNxgH dBEvYj button button--primary-pair product-offer__buy-button" data-event-click="{"element":"Button","outgogURL":"" data-ttid="Button" type=""><span class="ButtonLabel-cjAuJN hzwRuG button__label"><span>$28</span> at Bookshop</span></a></div></div></div></div></div><p><strong>You ver an expansive range of bars, both terms of geography and the functn they serve their muni. How would you scribe, particular, the role of a gay bar that may be the only one for around?</strong></p><div data-attr-viewport-monor="le-recirc" class="le-recirc-wrapper le-recirc-observer-target-1 viewport-monor-anchor"></div><p>I lled them “outposts,” or bars that are more than an hour’s drive om the next neart gay bar. I was surprised by both how siar the bars were to each other and how long they had liberately tegrated wh straight people. They’re not specialists; they serve all of the LGBTQs very broad regns, wh people drivg om more than an hour away. Queer people the areas wanted a place that was welg to their fay, iends, and -workers. Almost all of the bars were red unti nservative stat, where there seemed to be somethg radil about livg an openly queer life alongsi people who may be votg for policians who don’t share your terts. That’s a ntradictn that I didn’t fd an easy answer to.</p><p><strong>You found that the growg number of straight people gay bars signals some tertg social dynamics. On one hand, n be nsired a sign of greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ people wh the broar culture. On the other, their prence may also dilute the feelg of muny. Can you talk about some of the ambivalence you disvered around the qutn of straight patrons gay bars?</strong></p><p>I thk straight people need to have a nversatn about why their bars are so broken and straight women don’t feel safe there. Many of the whe gay men who pla about women gay bars also brg their own girliends along, so they need to look the mirror. And who’s to say which people at the bar are actually straight? Bisexualy and pansexualy are the fastt growg LGBTQ+ inti. One of the thgs I love about a gay bar is the prumptn that everyone is queer until they prove otherwise. If they’re queer for the night, that’s fe wh me. And if people aren’t followg our queer norms, we n help te them on how to be good guts our spac a welg way.</p></div></div></div><div class="GridItem-buujkM fVLMby grid--em grid-layout__asi"><div class="StickyBoxWrapper-jfYB jxBcTH sticky-box"><div class="StickyBoxPrimary-dzWDWL cdhYoN sticky-box__primary"><div class="AdWrapper-dQtivb fZrssQ ad ad--rail"><div class="ad__slot ad__slot--rail" data-no-id="4nvjda"></div></div><div class="ConsumerMarketgUnThemedWrapper-iUTMTf jssHut nsumer-marketg-un nsumer-marketg-un--display-rail" role="prentatn" aria-hidn="te"><div class="nsumer-marketg-un__slot nsumer-marketg-un__slot--display-rail"></div><div class="journey-un"></div></div><div data-attr-viewport-monor="" class="RecircMostPopularWrapper-bRuGTi jkTTgR recirc-most-popular-wrapper viewport-monor-anchor"><div class="RecircMostPopularConter-jiViNn ktrplG recirc-most-popular-sparrow-trackg hi-asi-ad" data-most-popular-id="mod-most-popular-59"><div class="RecircMostPopularHeadg-iVzhzt 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Can you talk about the velopment of that shift and what suggts?</strong></p><p>One of the most notable trends over the last 40 years has been the cle of genr segregatn gay bars. The two kds of bars that have cled the most are cisy men’s bars and lbian bars. The biggt rise, and by far the most mon type of bar, is one where all genrs, or at least men and women, party together. I thk that’s partly due to our polics; we have been anizg for que some time as an LGBTQ+ muny, and seems natural that we would have iends who don’t share our exact queer inty. It’s also a smart cisn bs-wise; and for jtice, ’s the right thg to do. But even queer bars that are liberately tryg to support all facets of our muny n still host pop-up parti that ter to specific mographics and terts.</p><asi aria-hidn="te" class="PullQuoteEmbedWrapper-sc-EoVjf fQbAzo"><div class="PullQuoteDerativeBorr-sc-iUyOLj fAzNVP"></div><div class="PullQuoteEmbedContent-sc-kTcfhx eoUd"><p>“LGBTQ+ plac are not gog away. The qutn is: what kd of plac will we make?”</p></div></asi><p><strong>You found that bars servg queer people of lor have been on an pecially steep cle. What are some of the particular challeng that QPOC bars face?</strong></p><p>If you’re servg a multiply margalized muny, you’re already startg wh people who have ls money to support you. And many bars are que segregated. As I traveled the untry, I was readg the Cens Bure's statistics for each unty and seeg that bars didn’t reflect that diversy. Even some of the biggt ci that are half people of lor, you go to a bar and ’s all whe folks. One of the problems is whe folks only wantg to hang out whe spac, and the money follows them. Another challenge I found facg QPOC bars was appealg to a broad range of ag, servg elrs as well as the newly 21.</p><p><strong>The issue of safety up a lot the book as well, both terms of tra-muny prsur, like racism and transphobia, and creasgly om outsi threats. What were some of your fdgs about the ntted safety of gay bars?</strong></p><div data-attr-viewport-monor="le-recirc" class="le-recirc-wrapper le-recirc-observer-target-2 viewport-monor-anchor"></div><p>I am very ambivalent about llg gay bars safe spac. I unrstand that ’s a place where you n exprs erotic tert and your genr inty whout fear of vlence. But bars are not outsi society — racism, transphobia, ageism are all prent. Those of who are fat are gog to be body shamed at some pot. I often wonr who has the luxury of safety, not jt a gay bar, but out on the streets? We know that trans women of lor are not acrd that luxury many plac at all. So to me the qutn is: how n I help make my space safe for all of ? Even while I’m havg fun, n I look out for other people hopg that they will also look out for me?</p></div></div></div><div class="GridItem-buujkM fVLMby grid--em grid-layout__asi"><div class="StickyBoxWrapper-jfYB jxBcTH sticky-box"><div class="StickyBoxPrimary-dzWDWL cdhYoN sticky-box__primary"><div class="AdWrapper-dQtivb fZrssQ ad ad--rail"><div class="ad__slot ad__slot--rail" data-no-id="l2pxg"></div></div><div class="ConsumerMarketgUnThemedWrapper-iUTMTf jssHut nsumer-marketg-un nsumer-marketg-un--display-rail" role="prentatn" aria-hidn="te"><div class="nsumer-marketg-un__slot nsumer-marketg-un__slot--display-rail"></div><div class="journey-un"></div></div><div data-attr-viewport-monor="" class="RecircMostPopularWrapper-bRuGTi jkTTgR recirc-most-popular-wrapper viewport-monor-anchor"><div class="RecircMostPopularConter-jiViNn ktrplG recirc-most-popular-sparrow-trackg hi-asi-ad" data-most-popular-id="mod-most-popular-60"><div class="RecircMostPopularHeadg-iVzhzt jKtkdT">Most 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The muny is another moment of crisis, given the legislative attacks we’re facg right now. What role do you see gay bars playg as that ntu to unfold?</strong></p><p>Gay bars have often been talysts to activism. Lol Pri celebratns are often anized out of gay bars, whether ’s om a nversatn that blossoms to somethg larger, or the bar physilly giv over the space for the banners to be sewn and the floats to be rated. Our plac have the potential to be s for social change. And no ls important, there is prec ltle queer joy the world. The plac don’t always have to be eighted wh polics. Jt beg happy wh other queer people, and meetg strangers who see you for who you are — that is a polil terventn the world, too. And I hope we don’t lose the moments of queer joy that we need, pecially the tim of crisis.</p><div class="GenericCalloutWrapper-tojWn iezhXq llout--has-top-borr" data-ttid="GenericCallout"><div class="ContentCardEmbedWrapper-kULtsE iGAJsG ntent-rd-embed ntent-rd-embed--stacked" data-ttid="ContentCardEmbedWrapper"><div class="ContentCardEmbedImage-iwqgVw jlIubp ntent-rd-embed__image" data-ttid="ContentCardEmbedImage"><span class="SpanWrapper-umhxW jvZaPI rponsive-asset"><picture class="RponsiveImagePicture-cWuUZO dUOtEa rponsive-image"><img alt="Image may nta: Human, Blon, Teen, Kid, Child, Person, Advertisement, Poster, Brochure, Paper, and Flyer" class="RponsiveImageContaer-eybHBd fptoWY rponsive-image__image" src=" srcSet=" 120w, 240w, 320w, 640w" siz="100vw"/></picture></span></div><div class="ContentCardEmbedInfo-bDftKl bGnSrq"><div class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ ContentCardEmbedHed-kJVPGC iUEiRd gFmvMS cewqFA ntent-rd-embed__hed" data-ttid="ContentCardEmbedHed"><a class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BaseLk-eNWuiM ContentCardEmbedHedLk-eXLwe iUEiRd gFmvMS hRaEiJ eFUKSb ntent-rd-embed__hed-lk" href="/story/summer-book-club-real-queer-ameri-terview" data-ttid="ContentCardEmbedHedLk">From Texas to Utah, Take a Life-Changg Road Trip Through Queer, Red State Ameri</a></div><div data-ttid="ContentCardEmbedDek" class="ContentCardEmbedDek-bA-DKch hXdQfY">As part of the <em>them.</em> x W Hotels Summer Book Club, we’re readg <em>Real Queer Ameri,</em> a travel memoir about the bety of LGBTQ+ muni nservative plac. Sponsored by W Hotels.</div></div></div></div><p><strong>You found that the rate of gay bar closur remaed steady durg the first two years of COVID-19, and that there’s actually been a rebound sce 2021, though not que to pre-panmic levels. What is your read on where we are right now? Are gay bars crisis or havg a moment, or both?</strong></p><p>There has been a rebound, mostly larger ci. And there have been chang the kds of gay bars that are makg . The number of lbian bars nearly doubled between 2021 and 2023, while bars that serve maly men tanked, om about 45% of all gay bars to about 25%. Now, bars that serve all genrs acunt for more than 60% of all gay bars. That don’t bo well for cisy men's bars, some of which are learng to adapt. But ’s nsistent wh the fdg that lbian bars tend to wele all genrs, cludg trans and nonbary folks, and even straight cis men. So we n look to lbian bars for a mol of how do you n an all-genr space that still centers and celebrat part of our muny.</p><p>We’ve heard repeatedly durg the COVID panmic, om our elrs who lived through HIV/AIDS, that crisis is an opportuny for muny. I’m not sure that that lson was heed. But rather than s on our hands at home, we n choose to go out and make our spac welg a way that serv all of . This new panmic remd queer folks that we need each other, and that there is somethg special about beg the prence of other humans. LGBTQ+ plac are not gog away. The qutn is: what kd of plac will we make?</p><p><em><strong>Get the bt of what’s queer.</strong></em> <a href=" target="_blank">Sign up for <em>Them</em>’s weekly newsletter here.</a></p></div></div></div><div class="GridItem-buujkM fVLMby grid--em grid-layout__asi"><div class="StickyBoxWrapper-jfYB jxBcTH sticky-box"><div class="StickyBoxPrimary-dzWDWL cdhYoN sticky-box__primary"><div class="AdWrapper-dQtivb fZrssQ ad ad--rail"><div class="ad__slot ad__slot--rail" data-no-id="2396dv"></div></div><div class="ConsumerMarketgUnThemedWrapper-iUTMTf jssHut nsumer-marketg-un nsumer-marketg-un--display-rail" role="prentatn" aria-hidn="te"><div class="nsumer-marketg-un__slot nsumer-marketg-un__slot--display-rail"></div><div class="journey-un"></div></div></div><div class="StickyBoxPlaceholr-grPmrg dxAvXx"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="GridWrapper-cAzTTK kHBDeH grid grid-margs grid-ems-2 PaywallInleBarrierWhWrapperGrid-fyrGfS kLQIUk grid-layout--adrail narrow wi-adrail"><div 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BaseText-ewhhUZ BaseLk-eNWuiM TagCloudLk-kvjZFu iUEiRd hSmufO fWJQiy hIhJOI"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ TagCloudName-eAUnLd iUEiRd gSGCJB bUkXwu">LGBTQ Authors</span></a><a href="/tags/terviews" class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BaseLk-eNWuiM TagCloudLk-kvjZFu iUEiRd hSmufO fWJQiy hIhJOI"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ TagCloudName-eAUnLd iUEiRd gSGCJB bUkXwu">terviews</span></a><a href="/tags/gay-bars" class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BaseLk-eNWuiM TagCloudLk-kvjZFu iUEiRd hSmufO fWJQiy hIhJOI"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ TagCloudName-eAUnLd iUEiRd gSGCJB bUkXwu">gay bars</span></a><a href="/tags/queer-bars" class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BaseLk-eNWuiM TagCloudLk-kvjZFu iUEiRd hSmufO fWJQiy hIhJOI"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ TagCloudName-eAUnLd iUEiRd gSGCJB bUkXwu">queer bars</span></a></div></div></div></div><div data-ttid="ContentFooterBottom" class="ContentFooterBottom-jwWZfC kcbyiW"><div class="ntent-bottom-anchor"></div><div class="ConsumerMarketgUnThemedWrapper-iUTMTf jssHut nsumer-marketg-un nsumer-marketg-un--article-footer" role="prentatn" aria-hidn="te"><div class="nsumer-marketg-un__slot nsumer-marketg-un__slot--article-footer"></div><div class="journey-un"></div></div><div data-attr-viewport-monor="" class="recirc-list-wrapper viewport-monor-anchor"><div class="RowWrapper-UmqTg HEhan ContentFooterRelated-kEBiFe kVUuwq"><div class="GridWrapper-cAzTTK eRggVV grid grid-margs grid-ems-0 SummaryCollectnGridComponent-ktyEog bdTTVU summary-llectn-grid RecircListDefltOverlaySummaryCollectnGrid-AHJhY bEaXiL recirc-list__ems summary-llectn-grid--four-lumns summary-llectn-grid--TextBelowLeft"><div class="GridItem-buujkM kHPPIF grid--em"><div class="SummaryCollectnGridContent-eVUpRm gOErDJ"><div class="SectnTleRoot-dBGvdq iEHvtl SummaryCollectnGridSectnTle-fCmYwG izjbVn" data-ttid="SectnTle"><hear class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ SectnTleHed-dKqZet dxqEAa dvxNrX jttyjJ">Read More</hear></div><div class="SummaryCollectnGridItems-DZShR jbbmwr hi-read-more-ad" data-ttid="SummaryCollectnGridItems"><div class="SummaryItemWrapper-iwvBff jCBznZ summary-em summary-em--has-le summary-em--article summary-em--no-in summary-em--text-align-left summary-em--layout-placement-text-below summary-em--layout-posn-image-left summary-em--layout-proportns-50-50 summary-em--si-by-si-align-center summary-em--si-by-si-image-right-mobile-false summary-em--standard SummaryCollectnGridSummaryItem-WColm cuPhiJ" role="button" tabx="0"><div class="SummaryItemAssetContaer-gwhFFH VOyg summary-em__asset-ntaer"><a class="SummaryItemImageLk-dshqxb cPpCwE summary-em__image-lk summary-em-trackg__image-lk" href="/story/good-weird-queer-bar-boiler-room" aria-hidn="te" tabx="-1" data-ponent-type="recirc-river" data-recirc-id="em-image-1" data-recirc-pattern="summary-em" target="_self"><span class="SpanWrapper-umhxW kGxnNB rponsive-asset SummaryItemRponsiveAsset-hjGIGg bDvSkO summary-em__image"><div data-tt="aspect-rat-ntaer" class="AspectRatContaer-bJHpJz hlQxkn"><div class="aspect-rat--overlay-ntaer"><picture class="RponsiveImagePicture-cWuUZO dUOtEa SummaryItemRponsiveAsset-hjGIGg bDvSkO summary-em__image rponsive-image"><noscript><source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcSet=" 120w, 240w, 320w, 640w" siz="100vw"/><source media="(m-width: 768px)" srcSet=" 120w, 240w, 320w, 640w" siz="100vw"/><img alt="Good Weird Queer Bar: The Boiler Room Is Manhattan’s Friendlit Gay Bar" class="RponsiveImageContaer-eybHBd fptoWY rponsive-image__image" src="></noscript></picture></div></div></span></a></div><div class="SummaryItemContent-eiDYMl XMZX summary-em__ntent"><div class="RubricWrapper-dKmCNX gPBNpL bric SummaryItemRubric-dguGKN lapGFj summary-em__bric"><span class="RubricName-fVtemz cLxcNi">Communy</span></div><a class="SummaryItemHedLk-civM dVrbhU summary-em-trackg__hed-lk summary-em__hed-lk summary-em__hed-lk--unrle-disable" data-ponent-type="recirc-river" data-recirc-id="em-hed-1" data-recirc-pattern="summary-em" href="/story/good-weird-queer-bar-boiler-room" target="_self"><div data-ttid="ClampWrapper" class="ClampWrapper-kZxfkB hTTNGO clamp SummaryItemHedBase-hiFYpQ kBFaWv summary-em__hed"><div class="ClampContent-hilPkr jVhSBH"><div class="SummaryItemHedTag-TWblf gxaOcP" data-ttid="SummaryItemHed">Good Weird Queer Bar: The Boiler Room Is Manhattan’s Friendlit Gay Bar</div></div></div></a><div class="SummaryItemByleWrapper-boCfbi cuRXdL summary-em__byle-date-in"><div class="SummaryItemBaseByle-fFbXkY dHMSJg summary-em__byle"><div class="summary-em__byle__ntent"><div data-ttid="BylWrapper" class="BylWrapper-KIudk irTIfE byl"><p class="ByleWrapper-jWHrLH ecFEgL byle byl__byle" data-ttid="ByleWrapper" emProp="thor" emType="><span emProp="name" class="ByleNamWrapper-jbHncj fuDQVo"><span data-ttid="ByleName" class="ByleName-kwmrLn cYaBaU byle__name"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BylePreamble-iJolpQ iUEiRd bCbgyH gnILss byle__preamble">By </span>Naveen Kumar</span></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="SummaryItemWrapper-iwvBff jCBznZ summary-em summary-em--has-le summary-em--article summary-em--no-in summary-em--text-align-left summary-em--layout-placement-text-below summary-em--layout-posn-image-left summary-em--layout-proportns-50-50 summary-em--si-by-si-align-center summary-em--si-by-si-image-right-mobile-false summary-em--standard SummaryCollectnGridSummaryItem-WColm cuPhiJ" role="button" tabx="0"><div class="SummaryItemAssetContaer-gwhFFH VOyg summary-em__asset-ntaer"><a class="SummaryItemImageLk-dshqxb cPpCwE summary-em__image-lk summary-em-trackg__image-lk" href="/story/good-wierd-queer-bar-sister-louisas-church-livg-room" aria-hidn="te" tabx="-1" data-ponent-type="recirc-river" data-recirc-id="em-image-2" data-recirc-pattern="summary-em" target="_self"><span class="SpanWrapper-umhxW kGxnNB rponsive-asset SummaryItemRponsiveAsset-hjGIGg bDvSkO summary-em__image"><div data-tt="aspect-rat-ntaer" class="AspectRatContaer-bJHpJz hlQxkn"><div class="aspect-rat--overlay-ntaer"><picture class="RponsiveImagePicture-cWuUZO dUOtEa SummaryItemRponsiveAsset-hjGIGg bDvSkO summary-em__image rponsive-image"><noscript><source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcSet=" 120w, 240w, 320w, 640w" siz="100vw"/><source media="(m-width: 768px)" srcSet=" 120w, 240w, 320w, 640w" siz="100vw"/><img alt="At This Atlanta Bar, J, Karaoke, Bizarre Art, and Queer Fay Colli" class="RponsiveImageContaer-eybHBd fptoWY rponsive-image__image" src="></noscript></picture></div></div></span></a></div><div class="SummaryItemContent-eiDYMl XMZX summary-em__ntent"><div class="RubricWrapper-dKmCNX gPBNpL bric SummaryItemRubric-dguGKN lapGFj summary-em__bric"><span class="RubricName-fVtemz cLxcNi">Culture</span></div><a class="SummaryItemHedLk-civM dVrbhU summary-em-trackg__hed-lk summary-em__hed-lk summary-em__hed-lk--unrle-disable" data-ponent-type="recirc-river" data-recirc-id="em-hed-2" data-recirc-pattern="summary-em" href="/story/good-wierd-queer-bar-sister-louisas-church-livg-room" target="_self"><div data-ttid="ClampWrapper" class="ClampWrapper-kZxfkB hTTNGO clamp SummaryItemHedBase-hiFYpQ kBFaWv summary-em__hed"><div class="ClampContent-hilPkr jVhSBH"><div class="SummaryItemHedTag-TWblf gxaOcP" data-ttid="SummaryItemHed">At This Atlanta Bar, J, Karaoke, Bizarre Art, and Queer Fay Colli</div></div></div></a><div class="SummaryItemByleWrapper-boCfbi cuRXdL summary-em__byle-date-in"><div class="SummaryItemBaseByle-fFbXkY dHMSJg summary-em__byle"><div class="summary-em__byle__ntent"><div data-ttid="BylWrapper" class="BylWrapper-KIudk irTIfE byl"><p class="ByleWrapper-jWHrLH ecFEgL byle byl__byle" data-ttid="ByleWrapper" emProp="thor" emType="><span emProp="name" class="ByleNamWrapper-jbHncj fuDQVo"><span data-ttid="ByleName" class="ByleName-kwmrLn cYaBaU byle__name"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BylePreamble-iJolpQ iUEiRd bCbgyH gnILss byle__preamble">By </span>Samantha Allen</span></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="SummaryItemWrapper-iwvBff jCBznZ summary-em summary-em--has-le summary-em--article summary-em--no-in summary-em--text-align-left summary-em--layout-placement-text-below summary-em--layout-posn-image-left summary-em--layout-proportns-50-50 summary-em--si-by-si-align-center summary-em--si-by-si-image-right-mobile-false summary-em--standard SummaryCollectnGridSummaryItem-WColm cuPhiJ" role="button" tabx="0"><div class="SummaryItemAssetContaer-gwhFFH VOyg summary-em__asset-ntaer"><a class="SummaryItemImageLk-dshqxb cPpCwE summary-em__image-lk summary-em-trackg__image-lk" href="/story/the-ck-cisg-gay-bar-new-york" aria-hidn="te" tabx="-1" data-ponent-type="recirc-river" data-recirc-id="em-image-3" data-recirc-pattern="summary-em" target="_self"><span class="SpanWrapper-umhxW kGxnNB rponsive-asset SummaryItemRponsiveAsset-hjGIGg bDvSkO summary-em__image"><div data-tt="aspect-rat-ntaer" class="AspectRatContaer-bJHpJz hlQxkn"><div class="aspect-rat--overlay-ntaer"><picture class="RponsiveImagePicture-cWuUZO dUOtEa SummaryItemRponsiveAsset-hjGIGg bDvSkO summary-em__image rponsive-image"><noscript><source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcSet=" 120w, 240w, 320w, 640w" siz="100vw"/><source media="(m-width: 768px)" srcSet=" 120w, 240w, 320w, 640w" siz="100vw"/><img alt="Good Weird Queer Bar: The Cock Is the Last Filthy Gay Bar New York" class="RponsiveImageContaer-eybHBd fptoWY rponsive-image__image" src="></noscript></picture></div></div></span></a></div><div class="SummaryItemContent-eiDYMl XMZX summary-em__ntent"><div class="RubricWrapper-dKmCNX gPBNpL bric SummaryItemRubric-dguGKN lapGFj summary-em__bric"><span class="RubricName-fVtemz cLxcNi">Sex and Relatnships</span></div><a class="SummaryItemHedLk-civM dVrbhU summary-em-trackg__hed-lk summary-em__hed-lk summary-em__hed-lk--unrle-disable" data-ponent-type="recirc-river" data-recirc-id="em-hed-3" data-recirc-pattern="summary-em" href="/story/the-ck-cisg-gay-bar-new-york" target="_self"><div data-ttid="ClampWrapper" class="ClampWrapper-kZxfkB hTTNGO clamp SummaryItemHedBase-hiFYpQ kBFaWv summary-em__hed"><div class="ClampContent-hilPkr jVhSBH"><div class="SummaryItemHedTag-TWblf gxaOcP" data-ttid="SummaryItemHed">Good Weird Queer Bar: The Cock Is the Last Filthy Gay Bar New York</div></div></div></a><div class="SummaryItemByleWrapper-boCfbi cuRXdL summary-em__byle-date-in"><div class="SummaryItemBaseByle-fFbXkY dHMSJg summary-em__byle"><div class="summary-em__byle__ntent"><div data-ttid="BylWrapper" class="BylWrapper-KIudk irTIfE byl"><p class="ByleWrapper-jWHrLH ecFEgL byle byl__byle" data-ttid="ByleWrapper" emProp="thor" emType="><span emProp="name" class="ByleNamWrapper-jbHncj fuDQVo"><span data-ttid="ByleName" class="ByleName-kwmrLn cYaBaU byle__name"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BylePreamble-iJolpQ iUEiRd bCbgyH gnILss byle__preamble">By </span>Alexanr Chev</span></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="AdWrapper-dQtivb fZrssQ SummaryCollectnGridSummaryItem-WColm cuPhiJ ad ad--read-more"><div class="ad__slot ad__slot--read-more" data-no-id="m5z6ya"></div></div><div class="SummaryItemWrapper-iwvBff jCBznZ summary-em summary-em--has-le summary-em--article summary-em--no-in summary-em--text-align-left summary-em--layout-placement-text-below summary-em--layout-posn-image-left summary-em--layout-proportns-50-50 summary-em--si-by-si-align-center summary-em--si-by-si-image-right-mobile-false summary-em--standard SummaryCollectnGridSummaryItem-WColm cuPhiJ" role="button" tabx="0"><div class="SummaryItemAssetContaer-gwhFFH VOyg summary-em__asset-ntaer"><a class="SummaryItemImageLk-dshqxb cPpCwE summary-em__image-lk summary-em-trackg__image-lk" href="/story/good-weird-queer-bar-pony-seattle" aria-hidn="te" tabx="-1" data-ponent-type="recirc-river" data-recirc-id="em-image-4" data-recirc-pattern="summary-em" target="_self"><span class="SpanWrapper-umhxW kGxnNB rponsive-asset SummaryItemRponsiveAsset-hjGIGg bDvSkO summary-em__image"><div data-tt="aspect-rat-ntaer" class="AspectRatContaer-bJHpJz hlQxkn"><div class="aspect-rat--overlay-ntaer"><picture class="RponsiveImagePicture-cWuUZO dUOtEa SummaryItemRponsiveAsset-hjGIGg bDvSkO summary-em__image rponsive-image"><noscript><source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcSet=" 120w, 240w, 320w, 640w" siz="100vw"/><source media="(m-width: 768px)" srcSet=" 120w, 240w, 320w, 640w" siz="100vw"/><img alt="Good Weird Queer Bar: In Seattle, Pony is a Rowdy, Surreal, Ultra-Queer Paradise" class="RponsiveImageContaer-eybHBd fptoWY rponsive-image__image" src="></noscript></picture></div></div></span></a></div><div class="SummaryItemContent-eiDYMl XMZX summary-em__ntent"><div class="RubricWrapper-dKmCNX gPBNpL bric SummaryItemRubric-dguGKN lapGFj summary-em__bric"><span class="RubricName-fVtemz cLxcNi">Culture</span></div><a class="SummaryItemHedLk-civM dVrbhU summary-em-trackg__hed-lk summary-em__hed-lk summary-em__hed-lk--unrle-disable" data-ponent-type="recirc-river" data-recirc-id="em-hed-4" data-recirc-pattern="summary-em" href="/story/good-weird-queer-bar-pony-seattle" target="_self"><div data-ttid="ClampWrapper" class="ClampWrapper-kZxfkB hTTNGO clamp SummaryItemHedBase-hiFYpQ kBFaWv summary-em__hed"><div class="ClampContent-hilPkr jVhSBH"><div class="SummaryItemHedTag-TWblf gxaOcP" data-ttid="SummaryItemHed">Good Weird Queer Bar: In Seattle, Pony is a Rowdy, Surreal, Ultra-Queer Paradise</div></div></div></a><div class="SummaryItemByleWrapper-boCfbi cuRXdL summary-em__byle-date-in"><div class="SummaryItemBaseByle-fFbXkY dHMSJg summary-em__byle"><div class="summary-em__byle__ntent"><div data-ttid="BylWrapper" class="BylWrapper-KIudk irTIfE byl"><p class="ByleWrapper-jWHrLH ecFEgL byle byl__byle" data-ttid="ByleWrapper" emProp="thor" emType="><span emProp="name" class="ByleNamWrapper-jbHncj fuDQVo"><span data-ttid="ByleName" class="ByleName-kwmrLn cYaBaU byle__name"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ BylePreamble-iJolpQ iUEiRd bCbgyH gnILss byle__preamble">By </span>Matt Bme</span></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="SummaryCollectnGridToActnWrapper-gnReGN eGayfk"></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="RowWrapper-UmqTg HEhan"><div class="TaboolaWrapper-hMVdpE iYfBhy"><div class="TaboolaWidgetWrapper-egPIjc hkSrgt TaboolaWidget-eUSdED hQCCRa" data-ttid="TaboolaWidgetWrapper"><div class="TaboolaWidgetContent-iBEQTO eXroXG TABOOLA" id="taboola-below-article-thumbnails---f" data-ttid="TaboolaWidgetContent"></div></div></div></div><div class="RowWrapper-UmqTg HEhan"><div class="AdWrapper-dQtivb fZrssQ ad ad--footer should-hold-space"><div class="ad__slot ad__slot--footer" data-no-id="w0l58k"></div></div></div></div></div></ma><div class="BasePageMaFooterFiller-hTlZph jSriYf page__ma-footer-filler"></div><div class="RowWrapper-UmqTg HEhan"><div class="ConsumerMarketgUnThemedWrapper-iUTMTf jssHut nsumer-marketg-un nsumer-marketg-un--cm-footer" role="prentatn" aria-hidn="te"><div class="nsumer-marketg-un__slot nsumer-marketg-un__slot--cm-footer"></div><div class="journey-un"></div></div></div><div class="RowWrapper-UmqTg HEhan BasePageSeFooterRow-kpEBGH jqlJed"><div class="GridWrapper-cAzTTK eRggVV grid grid-margs grid-ems-0 BasePageSeFooterRowGrid-iBGjXL zQNeb"><div class="GridItem-buujkM kHPPIF grid--em"><footer class="SeFooterWrapper-bXjkRY cCBFKg se-footer--wh-store"><div class="SeFooterGridNoMargs-jSrXSj kdlxBX" data-ttid="SeFooterGridNoMargs"><div class="SeFooterBrandInfo-cdoqKy cdkwFG"><div class="SeFooterLogo-eYlNHY eigdAF se-footer__logo"><a href="/"><span class="SpanWrapper-umhxW jvZaPI rponsive-asset SeFooterLogoRponsiveAsset-ckjzWk kubVDn se-footer__rponsive-image"><picture class="RponsiveImagePicture-cWuUZO dUOtEa SeFooterLogoRponsiveAsset-ckjzWk kubVDn se-footer__rponsive-image rponsive-image"><img alt="Them" class="RponsiveImageContaer-eybHBd fptoWY rponsive-image__image" src="/verso/static/them/assets/" srcSet="" siz="100vw"/></picture></span></a></div><div data-ttid="SeFooterAbout" class="SeFooterAbout-lflfWa kCRdyp"><div class="SeFooterAboutText-XXKBX blTbmF">Them is the award-wng thory on what LGBTQ+ means today — and tomorrow. 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