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1) You've gone to bathhouses. How often? Same one?
I have been going to a few bathhouses since 2009. In San
Diego I went to Club SD. Up here, I go to Steamworks (if I ever get the
urge to go). Over the past years, I have pretty much stopped
going. I didn't have a car, and there was no way I was letting
somebody drive me 45 minutes from home just to end up stranded should they
decide to leave without me.
2) Can describe the interior(s)?
Inside they are usually dimly lit, humid, industrial-esk,
loud, and smell of disinfectant and chlorine. Both bathhouses are
fashioned like hotels in similar fashion except Steamworks (SW) is single
storied and has no ceiling (the roof is about 60' up) and Club SD (CSD) is
two storied with a few two-storied open areas. Inside are group showers
(sometimes lights on, sometimes off), wet and dry saunas, hot tubs with
seating for about 20-30 comfortably, a gym, rooms with various types of
seating and various types of porn playing on many different screens, oh and
there are vending machines with condoms, lube, cock rings, vibrating bullets,
anal douches, toothpaste, mouth wash, dental floss, nail clippers, OMG just
ask me if a particular item can be found in these vending
machines. They also have vending machines with drinks, snacks, and
other food types. Both have common areas away from all the action, and
everybody respects that area. Go there to have a cigarette and catch a
breather.
3) If you have gone to different locations, did
you notice a different vibe/rhythm or language?
Honestly, I have not noticed a language, nor have I been
able to figure out if there even IS a language used. Usually, I can tell
if someone wants to play with me by the way they are looking at me, or the
fact that they just reach for my junk (there really isn't a safe place unless
you get a room and lock the door. Leaving the door open tends to mean
one wants someone to join, or just be watched. I am absolutely more
passive at these places when it comes to language. Sometimes I've had
my junk grabbed by a stranger as we walk down a dimly lit, narrow hallway,
doors lining both walls completely. If I took one look at him and
thought Oh my, fuck yes! then I went along with the guy, or led him to
my room. Other times, I've had to tell some guys "No means no,
even here."
5) Why do you go? I'm assuming it's for more than
getting your back washed.
(TRIGGER WARNING for chemical usage)
My first time at a bathhouse was when a man at a bar was
to take me to base because I missed the last bus back from my favorite gay
bar in San Diego. He took me to CSD where I bought a room (receipt was
credit in my name), by the time we got to the room, I was in and out of being
blacked out (I had a drinking problem when I was younger and in the
Navy. It was called, not respecting my limits) but I remember being
into it when I was "there."
Sex and drugs? Yes! Give me a place where I
don't have to worry about the cops, bags are checked, I can be almost as loud
as I want and I can have as many drug induced sexual encounters as I
can?! Shut up and take my filthy gay drug money! Literally why I
went back, every damn time.
6) Can you share with us why you &/or other men
find bath houses appealing?
I refer to the end of answer 5. I don't know why
other men go, I've never really asked. Always seemed to have other
things on my mind at the time. I also don't go very often now. If I
do, a small group of us will go and have the time of our lives.
7) Are sex safe practices used or ignored?
I can count the number of men I had safe sex with. I
can also tell you I have surpassed triple digits in the number of men I have
had sex with. I have had sex with men all along the spectrum of HIV and
AIDS statuses and have not contracted the disease. The only two things I
have ever contracted were from when I was raped, and when I cheated on my
boyfriend. Both instances have been completely cured and I have had a
clean bill of health for many years. I am actually going to the VA to
get my tests done next week, and I am scheduling an appointment with them to
be prescribed HIV preventative treatment. I abhor the feeling of nails
and condoms inside of me. There is a lot more on this subject that we
can get into later if you'd like.
In summary, Bathhouses are a place to get clean, get
dirty, and should be repeated as needed.
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