An Obsessive Quest to Track Down the Last Remaining Lesbian Bars In America
April 24, 2023
Effing Dykes blogger Burton debuts with a witty cross-country tour of lesbian bars. Eager to reconnect with the queer community after Covid-19 lockdowns, Burton set out in 2021 on a pilgrimage with her trans husband, Davin, to visit the 20 self-identifying lesbian bars (down from 206 in 1987) left in the U.S. (more have since opened). Highlights include Burton’s first visit to a drag show since the onset of the pandemic, at the Back Door in Bloomington, Ind.; singing the queer anthem “Goodbye Earl” with dozens of other patrons at the Lipstick Lounge in Nashville, Tenn.; and competing in dildo races at the Pearl Bar in Houston, Tex. Along the way, Burton makes friends, studies lesbian behavior (“My god do we love a spot where we can lean while we stare at each other without engaging”), and discusses reasons for the closure of “dyke bars,” including gentrification, the pandemic, and the growing acceptance of the queer community in mainstream culture. In response, the remaining nightspots have become more inclusive of other segments of the LGBTQ community and added indoor slides, Instagram-friendly patios, and other attractions. Throughout, Burton’s keen observations and sense of humor are on full display. It adds up to an infectious celebration of the joy and resilience of queer spaces.
August 1, 2023
In a quest to learn more about the nation's lesbian bars, Effing Dykes blogger Burton traverses the country, from California to New York and various spots in between, intent on visiting all the remaining institutions. Sarah Beth Pfeiffer provides a bubbly yet sensitive reading of this wayward and often fraught trip across the United States. At once a love letter to lesbians and a reminiscence of her own life's journey, including coming out and changing relationships with family, Burton's book finds all that is beautiful about these bars, including the families they create and the roles they play in queer culture. Out of an estimated 206 bars in 1987, she estimates that there are only 20 or so left; those that remain continue to provide welcoming places not just for lesbians but for any open-minded, accepting person who walks through their doors. Pfeiffer conveys Burton's wonder and gratitude for these vibrant places. It's amazing how many bars have survived--and continue to thrive--despite shutdowns during COVID and increasing restrictions imposed by anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation. VERDICT Lesbians, allies, and anyone interested in learning more will enjoy this warmhearted look at one of the most endangered spaces in queer culture.--Elyssa Everling
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