Gay bar in branson

Branson, Helen P. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, ISBN: Gay Bar is an excellent combination of historical content and modern context, sprinkled with funny stories throughout. Originally published by Helen Branson in in a print run of only 1, copies, the book was sold through homophile press outlets and at alternative leaning bookstores.

Although that initial run sold out, it was never reprinted. After a failed marriage and several stints as a hostess and manager at other bars, Branson opened her own gay bar in Los Angeles. Her intention was to give straight readers an idea of what gay people were actually like, and also to illustrate some of the problems they faced due to discrimination.

Within those constraints, her bar became a safe haven for men looking for friends, dates, or even potential jobs.

"Gay Bar" 1957 BRANSON, Helen P.

Interspersed throughout the original chapters, the historical context that Will Fellows adds about both the time frame and about Helen Branson herself makes this a book well worth reading for historical, as well as entertainment purposes. Gay Bar is a quick, pleasant book to read. Fellows writes in a similarly accessible style, and the two compliment each other nicely to form a cohesive narrative.

Highly recommended for public libraries, and recommended especially to patrons with an interest in queer pulp novels, as Gay Bar adds some historical perspective and depth to the social lives that are found in The Beebo Brinker Chronicles and similar period genre fiction. Gay Bar Branson, Helen P.