That same issue of the Gay Community Center newspaper featured a map of lesbian and gay places in the city, including at least six bars-and that's not counting the floating bar on the regular gay and lesbian cruises around the harbor, the popular Ladies Tea at the Hippo-then called The Pink Hippopotamus -or the many women's nights at other predominantly gay men's establishments.

There is some truth to this stereotype of gay men as out in the bars while lesbians were organizing at home, but it misses the vibrant history of lesbian social spaces in Baltimore. In the August 1979 issue of Baltimore's long-running Gay Community Center newspaper, Greg Lehne wrote about casual sex in the gay men's community in his column, 'Gay Perspectives.' How do you let a man know you are interested in getting to know him, not just getting it on? Lehne advised looking to lesbians: 'The lesbian social scene, which predominantly revolves around friendship circles and non-bar activities, can also provide gay men with a model for meeting friends.' He suggested men organize Sunday brunches at home, everyone inviting a friend, like those potluck-loving lesbians do.