{"product_id":"the-lesbian-bar-chronicles-the-living-history-and-hopeful-future-of-americas-dyke-dives-and-sapphic-spaces-9780807023440","title":"The Lesbian Bar Chronicles: The Living History and Hopeful Future of America's Dyke Dives and Sapphic Spaces","description":"\u003cb\u003eA grassroots tour of the nation's lesbian bars that illuminates their past, present, and hopeful future, from the co-creator of the hit podcast \u003ci\u003eCruising\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eLesbian bars are so much more than a place to get a drink. For over a century, they've acted as community posts, political organizing grounds, and sanctuaries. Yet whereas in the 1980s there were an estimated 200 lesbian bars across the US, the current count sits at a few dozen. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eThe Lesbian Bar Chronicles\u003c\/i\u003e, author and co-creator of the hit podcast \u003ci\u003eCruising\u003c\/i\u003e Rachel Karp embarks across the country with her wife and best friend to chronicle the stories of the remaining US lesbian bars. Recent narratives have claimed lesbian bars are dying, but Karp's group finds many of the places they visit to be thriving, their communities sustaining themselves over decades of change and challenges. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWeaving together over 100 hours of immersive interviews with bar owners, staff, and regulars, Karp highlights places like \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e-Chicago spot \u003cb\u003eNobody's Darling\u003c\/b\u003e, where readers meet \"the mayor\" Shirley J, who in the 1970s was instrumental in the birth of house music \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e-\u003cb\u003eFrankie's \u003c\/b\u003ein Oklahoma City, where readers attend a \"family night\" to learn how a lesbian bar can birth a chosen family \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e-\u003cb\u003eRedz\u003c\/b\u003e, a Chicana lesbian bar in East LA involved in the precedent setting court case that followed years of arrests for patrons wearing men's clothing \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA heartfelt reclamation of queer history and queer lives, Karp's narrative examines how these beacons for community and inclusion can teach us to live openly, cultivate connection, and continue to take up space.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Rachel Karp\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Beacon Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/26\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 280\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.88lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.14h x 6.07w x 1.19d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780807023440\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 03\/09\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 05\/01\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eRachel Karp\u003c\/b\u003e is a writer and producer who has worked across podcasts, TV, film, theater, and digital media. The co-creator and producer of the award-winning documentary podcast \u003ci\u003eCruising\u003c\/i\u003e, she currently serves as an associate producer on LinkedIn's editorial team, working on the podcasts \u003ci\u003eHello Monday \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eBuilding One. \u003c\/i\u003eShe holds a Bachelor's degree in Theater and English from Skidmore College. She lives in Brooklyn with her partner Jen, in their home which has lovingly been dubbed \"the home for wayward gays\" by the multitude of queer friends and family members who have stayed there over the years.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"booksdeli.com","offers":[{"title":"Rachel Karp \/ Hardcover \/ English","offer_id":48363842306205,"sku":"9780807023440","price":35.94,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0619\/5648\/9373\/files\/img_75adf407-aff5-41be-af77-c3bc6ed79aa7.jpg?v=1780429225","url":"https:\/\/booksdeli.com\/products\/the-lesbian-bar-chronicles-the-living-history-and-hopeful-future-of-americas-dyke-dives-and-sapphic-spaces-9780807023440","provider":"booksdeli.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}