Jeremy Atherton Lin Libri

An intimate trip through queer history, this work explores the gay bar as a vital space of solidarity and sexual expression. With urban centers witnessing the closure of these venues, the author reflects on their significance in shaping identity and community. He embarks on a transatlantic journey through the clubs, pubs, and dives that have marked his life, revealing each location as a palimpsest of queer history. The prose is vibrant and exhilarating, transporting readers from Hollywood nights in the 1970s to cruising tunnels in 18th-century London, and from post-AIDS bars to today’s fluid queer spaces. The narrative captures moments of police raids, riots, and transformative encounters, weaving a stylish inquiry into the relationship between place and identity. This exploration goes beyond the simplified Stonewall narrative, delving into lesser-known struggles for queer territory. Elegiac and infused with humor, the work serves as a serious critical examination, a love story, and a memorable night out, inviting readers to reflect on the cultural significance of these spaces in the ongoing journey for liberation.

An indispensable, intimate and stylish celebration of the institution of the gay bar, from the post-AIDS-crisis 1990s to today's fluid queer spaces.