Gay bathhouses nationwide face uncertain future

Associated Press ^ | Aug 23, 2014 10:33 AM EDT | Matt Hamilton

[Olog-hai]

Gay bathhouses that once remained in the shadows to stay in business are now seeking attention to keep their doors open.

Some are doing aggressive online advertising and community outreach. Others tout their upscale amenities like plush towels and marble baths. A bathhouse in Ohio has even added hotel rooms and a nightclub. […]

In the heyday of bathhouses in the late 1970s, there were nearly 200 gay bathhouses in cities across the U.S., but by 1990, the total had dropped to approximately 90, according to Damron, the publisher of an annual gay travel guide. In the last decade, bathhouses, including ones in San Diego, Syracuse, Seattle and San Antonio, have shut down and the total nationwide is less than 70. Most patrons are older. …

[ransomnote]

from the link: ‘”Bathhouses were like dirty bookstores and parks: a venue to meet people,” said Sykes, who still owns the smaller North Hollywood Spa. “Today, you can go to the supermarket.”

[fso301]

I would think customer’s knowledge that surveillance cameras are everywhere would place a crimp on attendance.

[Sparklite]

Sick-making Phrase of the Week = “His husband.”

[Jim from C-Town]

From what he said it was. I didn’t sell the job or go to the job site.

[Morgana]

We still have gay bathhouses after AIDS?

[RichInOC]

Fellas, I have good news and I have bad news.

First, the good news: Now you’re just like everybody else.

Now, the bad news: Now you’re just like everybody else.

[headstamp 2]

They need to save these monuments to the genesis of AIDS.

[Caipirabob]

Convert them to hetero hot houses and watch income soar.

I NO CLEAN.

We're gonna need a bigger can of "Lemon Pledge"...

[scrabblehack]

Teresa Heinz Kerry had that same pose.

[Chode]

need one of these to change the pool filters...

[a fool in paradise]

Why isn’t AssPress concerned about the decline in “swingers’ clubs” where solo or couples could go to a bar (for maybe $100 cover charge) and screw (or watch people screw) in public.

Richard Dreyfuss was open about going to them.

I girl I knew in New York knew a woman who went to one on a blind/first date. Either solo men were barred or it was cheaper if they brought someone there. Get her in the room, buy her a $20 drink, and then ditch her.

The Sexual Revolution was revolting.

[Artcore]

“Make his favorite bathhouses into National Historic sites.That should really make him mad.Remember all those’Washington slept here signs’?How about.’Obama worked the glory hole here?’”
______________________________________________

Now that right there is funny, I don’t care who ya are! :-D