“Europe through the Back Door?” And you bought that book? Did you find yourself in every bath house and gay opera?
Just for interest, I spent many years as a travel journalist and along the way had a chance to meet many people like Rick Steves. Keep in mind these folks largely work for the media - they work for TV, radio or newspapers.
In addition, a lot of travel groups are organized by universities and hosted by professors. I think you are starting to get the picture.
There wasn’t anything gay in it, so far as I recall. I think Steves was married with kids 25 years ago. It was just a travel book.