In the old days – post-Stonewall, pre-LGBTQ rights – we had Spartacus and Damron. These gay travel guides were packed with listings for gay bars, clubs, saunas, bookstores, and LGBTQ-friendly hotels. They helped gay travelers find safety, community, and connection in unfamiliar places.  As times changed—and as travel info became more accessible and digital—those old-school guides faded out. But the need for thoughtful, identity-aware travel advice never went away. Now, a new wave of LGBTQ travel books is stepping in to fill that gap, with a fresh take and a broader lens.