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From the mid-1980s onwards there was lobbying against gay
bathhouses blaming them for the spread of
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), in particular
HIV,
and this forced their closure in some jurisdictions (see Legal
issues, below). Sociologist Stephen O. Murray, writes that,
"there was never any evidence presented that going to bathhouses
was a risk-factor for contracting AIDS." In some countries,
fears about the spread of STDs have prompted the closing of
bathhouses—with their private rooms—in favour of
sex clubs, in which all sexual activity takes place in the
open, and can be observed by monitors whose job it is to enforce
safe-sex practices. However, proponents of bathhouses point out
that closing these facilities does not prevent people from
engaging in unsafe sex.
Neither the claim that bathhouses are responsible for the
spread of sexually transmitted diseases, nor the claim that they
are not, has been conclusively proved, but it is known that STDs
are spread via
unprotected sex, and as part of their membership agreement,
or as a condition of entry, some bathhouses now require
customers to affirm in writing that they will only practice
safe sex on the premises, and venues frequently provide free
condoms,
latex gloves, and
lubrication (and/or have them available for purchase).
In New Zealand and Australia, the
New Zealand AIDS Foundation and constituent members of the
Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations provide
safe sex information for sex on site venue users.
Some anti-bathhouse activists argue that these measures are
not enough, especially given that it is virtually impossible to
monitor sexual activity in a bathhouse; however, while they
acknowledge that closing gay bathhouses may force some men into
unsafe or illegal situations in
public parks and
lavatories, they point out that they may be less likely to
engage in anal or multipartner sex—both of which put
participants at risk for contracting STDs—in such situations.
Others counter these claims by pointing out that bathhouses
are a major source of safer sex information—they provide
pamphlets and post safer sex posters prominently (often on the
walls of each room as well as in the common areas), provide free
condoms and lubricants, and often require patrons to affirm that
they will only have safer sex on the premises. In cities with
larger gay populations, STD and
HIV testing and counseling may be offered on-site for no
charge.
All interviewees were asked whether or not they used
condoms, and all with the exception of Fabian, said they
used them when having penetrative sex with clients. For
fellatio, sometimes they used condoms and sometimes not...
For him (Fabian), it was all the same whether he used a
condom or not. He also talked about the drugs he had taken,
pure alcohol, crack cocaine, and "sometimes I inject, maybe
15 times I've injected, crystal, cocaine and sometimes
heroin."
– Interviews with
masajistas (masseurs) in a
Mexico City gay bathhouse, Peter Aggleton , Men who
Sell Sex , 1999
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