Sassy Planet: A Queer Guide to 40 Cities, Big and Small

Expanding on the mission of the authors’ LGBTQ travel site, For Bottoms, this irreverent guide to 40 queer hot spots around the world is a trove of knowledge, even for those who prefer not to leave home. Though some space is dedicated to well-known gay bastions like New York City and San Francisco, the focus is mostly on locales that don’t get as much press, such as Omaha and Salt Lake City, or well-known cities outside North America that aren’t known for their gay culture like Tokyo and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Much of the content comes from interviews with locals, but with a twist: alongside conversations with beloved queer celebrities, including drag superstar Alaska Thunderfuck 5000, are casual chats with ordinary citizens conducted through gay cruising apps like Grindr, with subjects sharing their thoughts on everything from nude beaches to gentrification. While the project as a whole is unfortunately timed—given the precariousness of international travel during a pandemic—the book as a whole still serves as a valuable time capsule and repository of queer histories from around the world. With bold mixed-media art by Bráulio Amado and pictures by various photographers throughout, this handsome book offers all the fun of going out, for jet-setters and homebodies alike. (Sept.)