Bob Damron, Source: ONE Archive, Cruise Magazine 1979 Issue 9
t the time, the Address Book was also not something you’d find on the shelves of
mainstream bookstores. Instead, it was sold discreetly through mail-order ads in gay magazines, behind the counters of select bookstores, and sometimes even under the bar at the very establishments it listed.
Word-of-mouth was key—queer travelers and bar patrons passed along recommendations on where to find a copy, ensuring it remained in the hands of those who needed it most.
In an era when visibility was dangerous, the book’s distribution network was as underground as the spaces it documented.
This book was made to be disposable and they are very rare because they were ephemeral, in other words they were created to last only for a brief period.”
Professor Hawkins,
Mail-Order forms of The Address Book, Source: ONE Archive, Cruise Magazine 1979 Issue 9
The 1965 edition of the Address Book contained a total of 150 entries, with 78 listings in the Los Angeles area alone, reflecting the author’s San Francisco roots.
The later editions gradually expanded, featuring more entries as the gay community grew more visible, and while the book became thicker over time, it maintained its compact size for discretion and portability.
Inside the 1965 version of the Address Book, a coded glossary provided essential details about each listing, offering symbols and abbreviations that discreetly conveyed whether a venue was racially inclusive, had dancing, or was frequently targeted by police raids.
Some examples include G, for “Girls, but rarely inclusive”, and S-M, for “SOME MOTORCYCLE.”
This coded system allowed users to navigate the queer landscape without drawing unwanted attention.
I
“
When a certain song would play, it would only be men and women dancing together, whereas prior to the song playing it would’ve been men with men and women with women. This was so that when the police came they would think that it’s a straight bar.”
Professor Hawkins, USC ONE ARCHIVES Library
In these bars, people participated in secret unspoken systems to counteract interactions with the police.
n the California section, entries were organized into four regions: Hollywood,
Metropolitan, San Fernando Valley, and West & Southwest. Hollywood was home to iconic bars like the Frolic Room and The Bull, which are still in operation today.
Other notorious places included Joani Presents, a lesbian club in North Hollywood, which was owned by musician and performer Joani Hannon from 1961 to 1973. Hannon herself was a drummer who had toured internationally with an all-girl band and famously appeared in Some Like It Hot with Marilyn Monroe.
In 1965, at the age of 37, he published the first edition of his Address Book. Damron was deeply familiar with the underground network of gay bars and gathering spots, having traveled extensively himself.
The author of The Address Book, Bob Damron, was born in Los Angeles in 1928. He was a businessman and former Broadway actor who recognized the need for a travel guide catering specifically to gay men.
The 1965 Address Book, Source: USC ONE ARCHIVES Library
More than just a directory, it was a survival tool—cataloging bars, bathhouses, bookstores, cruising spots, and social clubs where LGBTQ+ individuals could find community and safety.
Much like the Green Book had done for Black travelers under Jim Crow, Damron’s guidebook became an essential companion for queer travelers in an era when visibility could mean arrest or worse.
Its coded system of letters and symbols provided users with crucial details—whether a bar welcomed people of color, had dancing, or was at risk of police surveillance.
The Address Book itself was a compact guide, approximately around 3.5in by 5.5in, small enough to fit discreetly in a pocket or be quickly tossed into a nearby bush if its owner needed to avoid suspicion.
Bound in an unassuming format, the book was designed to be both accessible and easily concealed, ensuring that those who used it could do so with a degree of safety.
disorder, sodomy laws criminalized same-sex relationships, and police raids on gay bars were routine, living openly as a queer person was a daily, life-threatening, risk.
The LGBTQ+ community faced widespread discrimination, entrapment, and violence, with few places to gather safely.
To navigate these spaces meant relying on word-of-mouth, secrecy, and an acute awareness of the dangers that lurked in the wrong bar, the wrong city, or even the wrong company.
This was the case until the invention of Bob Damron’s Address Book in 1965, a groundbreaking pocket-sized guide that discreetly mapped gay-friendly establishments across the United States.
I
n the midst of the 1960s, an era when homosexuality was classified as a mental
Explore a 3D scan of the 1965 Address Book with rotatable views and information hotspots.
Best experienced on tabletop.
Best experienced in open areas.
*Scan the QR code with your phone to activate an immersive experience with the first edition of The Address Book.
Step through a virtual portal to be inside the ONE Archives at the USC Libraries to learn more about the iconic little book.
Place the 1965-edition on your table and Professor Joseph Hawkins will guide you through an immersive, page-by-page exploration.
Best experienced on tabletop.
Best experienced in open areas.
*Scan the QR code with your phone to activate an immersive experience with the first edition of The Address Book.
Step through a virtual portal to be inside the ONE Archives at the USC Libraries to learn more about the iconic little book.
Place the 1965-edition on your table and Professor Joseph Hawkins will guide you through an immersive, page-by-page exploration.
INTERACT WITH THE ADDRESS BOOK
Professor Hawkins, USC ONE ARCHIVES Library
It was an extremely dangerous process to go to a gay bar because once you were found there, your name could be put on a black list published in the local newspaper. In addition to that, people were very afraid of losing their jobs and of being caught in these places because many people at the time were married."
“
Other notorious places included Joani Presents, a lesbian club in North Hollywood, which was owned by musician and performer Joani Hannon from 1961 to 1973. Hannon herself was a drummer who had toured internationally with an all-girl band and famously appeared in Some Like It Hot with Marilyn Monroe.
The author of The Address Book, Bob Damron, was born in Los Angeles in 1928. He was a businessman and former Broadway actor who recognized the need for a travel guide catering specifically to gay men.
Bob Damron, Source: ONE Archive, Cruise Magazine 1979 Issue 9
t the time, the Address Book was also not something you’d find on the shelves
of mainstream bookstores. Instead, it was sold discreetly through mail-order ads in gay magazines, behind the counters of select bookstores, and sometimes even under the bar at the very establishments it listed.
Word-of-mouth was key—queer travelers and bar patrons passed along recommendations on where to find a copy, ensuring it remained in the hands of those who needed it most.
In an era when visibility was dangerous, the book’s distribution network was as underground as the spaces it documented.
A
This book was made to be disposable and they are very rare because they were ephemeral, in other words they were created to last only for a brief period.”
“
Professor Hawkins,
USC ONE ARCHIVES
Mail-Order forms of The Address Book, Source: ONE Archive, Cruise Magazine 1979 Issue 9
The 1965 edition of the Address Book contained a total of 150 entries, with 78 listings in the Los Angeles area alone, reflecting the author’s San Francisco roots.
The later editions gradually expanded, featuring more entries as the gay community grew more visible, and while the book became thicker over time, it maintained its compact size for discretion and portability.
I
n the California section, entries were organized into four regions: Hollywood,
Metropolitan, San Fernando Valley, and West & Southwest. Hollywood was home to iconic bars like the Frolic Room and The Bull, which are still in operation today.
“
When a certain song would play, it would only be men and women dancing together, whereas prior to the song playing it would’ve been men with men and women with women. This was so that when the police came they would think that it’s a straight bar.”
In these bars, people participated in secret unspoken systems to counteract interactions with the police.
In 1965, at the age of 37, he published the first edition of his Address Book. Damron was deeply familiar with the underground network of gay bars and gathering spots, having traveled extensively himself.
Inside the 1965 version of the Address Book, a coded glossary provided essential details about each listing, offering symbols and abbreviations that discreetly conveyed whether a venue was racially inclusive, had dancing, or was frequently targeted by police raids.
Some examples include G, for “Girls, but rarely inclusive”, and S-M, for “SOME MOTORCYCLE.”
This coded system allowed users to navigate the queer landscape without drawing unwanted attention.
Mail-Order forms of The Address Book, Source: ONE Archive, Cruise Magazine 1979 Issue 9
Professor Hawkins, USC ONE ARCHIVES Library
ABOUT
Another well-known venue was Club Laurel, a gay bar on Ventura Boulevard that operated from 1954 to 1968.
Originally known as Jay’s Club Laurel, it was purchased and run by singer Beverly Shaw in the 1950s. Shaw, a sultry vocalist from the San Francisco nightclub scene, performed at the club and eventually recorded her own album under the label Club Laurel Records.
resilience and unity of the LGBTQ+ community. What began as a discreet yet vital resource in a time of criminalization and widespread discrimination has transformed into a lasting symbol of queer visibility and survival.
While many of the original venues listed in the guide have since closed, the need for safe, affirming spaces remains just as crucial.
In some regions, LGBTQ+ individuals still face barriers to acceptance, with laws and social stigmas continuing to threaten their ability to gather freely.
The Damron Company, now led by Gina Gatta, has carried this legacy forward, adapting to modern needs with online databases and regularly updated editions like the Damron Men’s Travel Guide and Women’s Traveller.
The guide’s evolution—from a pocket-sized lifeline to a comprehensive digital archive—reflects the broader fight for visibility, inclusion, and community.
As the world progresses, the existence and preservation of these spaces serve as a reminder that the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights is far from over, and that the quest for belonging and safety remains a fundamental part of queer history.
oday, the legacy of Bob Damron’s Address Book remains a powerful testament to the
T
VISIT SOME LANDMARKS
The Frolic Room and The Bull are still open to the public and operating today. These iconic spots continue to hold space in Los Angeles, reminders of a time when simply gathering could be an act of resistance.
Joanie Hannon & Vivian Grant, Source: ONE ARCHIVES
Drag competition (intro hires) at Joani Presents, ca. 1970, Source:
ONE ARCHIVES
Drag competition (intro hires) at Joani Presents, ca. 1970, Source: ONE ARCHIVES
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The augmented reality from this project was developed with the support from Niantic Labs as part of the 8th Wall Developer Accelerator Fund. Additionally, this project was made possible through the extensive resources available at the USC ONE Archive Library. Special thanks to the dedicated librarians and to Professor Joseph Hawkins for their invaluable guidance and support.
MORE JOVRNALISM PROJECTS
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
Jinglin Jingan is a Los Angeles-based multimedia artist. She has studied Media Arts and Practice at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and Graphic Design at the Rhode Island School of Design. Her expertise spans graphic design, augmented and virtual reality, AI integration, and 3D modeling. Jinglin’s work has been exhibited at the Kennedy Center, received 2nd place at the Stanford University AI New Frontiers Awards, won 22 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, and recognized at the Congressional Institute.
© 2015-2021 JOVRNALISM™ is a registered trademark
JOVRNALISM is an award-winning production crew created and led by Prof. Robert Hernandez from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Journalism. Our work has been features by media companies like The New York Times, ProPublica, USA Today, NPR and others. They have been recognized by The Webby’s, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Online News Association and many others.
Explore a 3D scan of the 1965 Address Book with rotatable views and information hotspots.
I
n the midst of the 1960s, an era when homosexuality was
More than just a directory, it was a survival tool—cataloging bars, bathhouses, bookstores, cruising spots, and social clubs where LGBTQ+ individuals could find community and safety.
Much like the Green Book had done for Black travelers under Jim Crow, Damron’s guidebook became an essential companion for queer travelers in an era when visibility could mean arrest or worse.
Its coded system of letters and symbols provided users with crucial details—whether a bar welcomed people of color, had dancing, or was at risk of police surveillance.
classified as a mental disorder, sodomy laws criminalized same-sex relationships, and police raids on gay bars were routine, living openly as a queer person was a daily, life-threatening, risk.
The LGBTQ+ community faced widespread discrimination, entrapment, and violence, with few places to gather safely.
To navigate these spaces meant relying on word-of-mouth, secrecy, and an acute awareness of the dangers that lurked in the wrong bar, the wrong city, or even the wrong company.
This was the case until the invention of Bob Damron’s Address Book in 1965, a groundbreaking pocket-sized guide that discreetly mapped gay-friendly establishments across the United States.
The 1965 Address Book, Source: USC ONE ARCHIVES Library
It was an extremely dangerous process to go to a gay bar because once you were found there, your name could be put on a black list published in the local newspaper. In addition to that, people were very afraid of losing their jobs and of being caught in these places because many people at the time were married."
Professor Hawkins, USC ONE ARCHIVES Library
“
The Address Book itself was a compact guide, approximately around 3.5in by 5.5in, small enough to fit discreetly in a pocket or be quickly tossed into a nearby bush if its owner needed to avoid suspicion.
Bound in an unassuming format, the book was designed to be both accessible and easily concealed, ensuring that those who used it could do so with a degree of safety.
INTERACT WITH THE ADDRESS BOOK
*Scan the QR code with your phone to activate an immersive experience with the first edition of The Address Book.
Best experienced on tabletop.
Place the 1965-edition on your table and Professor Joseph Hawkins will guide you through an immersive, page-by-page exploration.
Best experienced in open areas.
Step through a virtual portal to be inside the ONE Archives at the USC Libraries to learn more about the iconic little book.
This book was made to be disposable and they are very rare because they were ephemeral, in other words they were created to last only for a brief period.”
“
t the time, the Address Book was also not something you’d find on the
shelves of mainstream bookstores. Instead, it was sold discreetly through mail-order ads in gay magazines, behind the counters of select bookstores, and sometimes even under the bar at the very establishments it listed.
Word-of-mouth was key—queer travelers and bar patrons passed along recommendations on where to find a copy, ensuring it remained in the hands of those who needed it most.
In an era when visibility was dangerous, the book’s distribution network was as underground as the spaces it documented.
A
Professor Hawkins,
USC ONE ARCHIVES
Bob Damron, Source: ONE Archive, Cruise Magazine 1979 Issue 9
In 1965, at the age of 37, he published the first edition of his Address Book. Damron was deeply familiar with the underground network of gay bars and gathering spots, having traveled extensively himself.
The author of The Address Book, Bob Damron, was born in Los Angeles in 1928. He was a businessman and former Broadway actor who recognized the need for a travel guide catering specifically to gay men.
The 1965 edition of the Address Book contained a total of 150 entries, with 78 listings in the Los Angeles area alone, reflecting the author’s San Francisco roots.
The later editions gradually expanded, featuring more entries as the gay community grew more visible, and while the book became thicker over time, it maintained its compact size for discretion and portability.
In 1965, at the age of 37, he published the first edition of his Address Book. Damron was deeply familiar with the underground network of gay bars and gathering spots, having traveled extensively himself.
Mail-Order forms of The Address Book, Source: ONE Archive, Cruise Magazine 1979 Issue 9
Inside the 1965 version of the Address Book, a coded glossary provided essential details about each listing, offering symbols and abbreviations that discreetly conveyed whether a venue was racially inclusive, had dancing, or was frequently targeted by police raids.
Some examples include G, for “Girls, but rarely inclusive”, and S-M, for “SOME MOTORCYCLE.”
This coded system allowed users to navigate the queer landscape without drawing unwanted attention.
When a certain song would play, it would only be men and women dancing together, whereas prior to the song playing it would’ve been men with men and women with women. This was so that when the police came they would think that it’s a straight bar.”
“
Professor Hawkins, USC ONE ARCHIVES Library
n the California section, entries were organized into four regions: Hollywood, Metropolitan, San Fernando Valley, and West & Southwest.
I
Hollywood was home to iconic bars like the Frolic Room and The Bull, which are still in operation today.
Joanie Hannon & Vivian Grant, Source: ONE ARCHIVES
Joanie Hannon, Source: ONE ARCHIVES
Drag competition (intro hires) at Joani Presents, ca. 1970, Source: ONE ARCHIVES
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The augmented reality from this project was developed with the support from Niantic Labs as part of the 8th Wall Developer Accelerator Fund. Additionally, this project was made possible through the extensive resources available at the USC ONE Archive Library. Special thanks to the dedicated librarians and to Professor Joseph Hawkins for their invaluable guidance and support.
MORE JOVRNALISM PROJECTS
JOVRNALISM is an award-winning production crew created and led by Prof. Robert Hernandez from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Journalism. Our work has been features by media companies like The New York Times, ProPublica, USA Today, NPR and others. They have been recognized by The Webby’s, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Online News Association and many others.
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
Jinglin Jingan is a Los Angeles-based multimedia artist. She has studied Media Arts and Practice at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and Graphic Design at the Rhode Island School of Design. Her expertise spans graphic design, augmented and virtual reality, AI integration, and 3D modeling. Jinglin’s work has been exhibited at the Kennedy Center, received 2nd place at the Stanford University AI New Frontiers Awards, won 22 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, and recognized at the Congressional Institute.
Another well-known venue was Club Laurel, a gay bar on Ventura Boulevard that operated from 1954 to 1968.
Originally known as Jay’s Club Laurel, it was purchased and run by singer Beverly Shaw in the 1950s. Shaw, a sultry vocalist from the San Francisco nightclub scene, performed at the club and eventually recorded her own album under the label Club Laurel Records.
While many of the original venues listed in the guide have since closed, the need for safe, affirming spaces remains just as crucial.
In some regions, LGBTQ+ individuals still face barriers to acceptance, with laws and social stigmas continuing to threaten their ability to gather freely.
The Damron Company, now led by Gina Gatta, has carried this legacy forward, adapting to modern needs with online databases and regularly updated editions like the Damron Men’s Travel Guide and Women’s Traveller.
The guide’s evolution from a pocket-sized lifeline to a comprehensive digital archive reflects the broader fight for visibility, inclusion, and community.
As the world progresses, the existence and preservation of these spaces serve as a reminder that the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights is far from over, and that the quest for belonging and safety remains a fundamental part of queer history.
oday, the legacy of Bob Damron’s Address Book remains a powerful testament to the resilience and unity of the LGBTQ+ community. What
began as a discreet yet vital resource in a time of criminalization and widespread discrimination has transformed into a lasting symbol of queer visibility and survival.
T
VISIT SOME LANDMARKS
The Frolic Room and The Bull are still open to the public and operating today. These iconic spots continue to hold space in Los Angeles, reminders of a time when simply gathering could be an act of resistance.
In these bars, people participated in secret unspoken systems to counteract interactions with the police.
© 2015-2021 JOVRNALISM™ is a registered trademark
Other notorious places included Joani Presents, a lesbian club in North Hollywood, which was owned by musician and performer Joani Hannon from 1961 to 1973. Hannon herself was a drummer who had toured internationally with an all-girl band and famously appeared in Some Like It Hot with Marilyn Monroe.