Damn. John Rechy takes me back. I read his books wherever I could find them. Usually picked up from a public library. I was so eager to know gay life as someone who just entered adulthood in the late 80s. We really had nothing back then to educate ourselves. I moved to Los Angeles thanks to him.
I remember his books about cruising Griffith Park, the bar scene, and hooking on Santa Monica Blvd. Most of it pre dated me since the books mostly were 70s I think but I still remember the Hustlers on the Blvd.
Yes it was funny to later learn he was still Hustling on the Blvd and his students would sometimes recognize him out selling the goods. 🥳🤣