Gay saunas and bathhouses once played a central role in the queer community, providing spaces for connection, sexual freedom, and support. Iconic cities like New York were home to numerous renowned bathhouses, such as The Continental Baths and St. Mark’s Baths, which served as cultural landmarks and havens for gay men. However, these establishments have been disappearing over recent years, and it’s essential to explore why.
What Happened to Gay Saunas and Bathhouses? A Cultural Shift in the LGBTQ+ Scene – by Maxwell Alexander, EIC, Guy Style Magazine, MA, BFA
A Historical Overview: Gay Bathhouses as Safe Spaces
During the mid-20th century, gay saunas offered more than just opportunities for sexual encounters—they were community hubs where men could express their identities and connect without fear of persecution. In an era when being openly gay was criminalized and social acceptance was scarce, bathhouses provided anonymity, but also a sense of belonging. It wasn’t just about physical connections; these spaces fostered a sense of culture, camaraderie, and freedom.
New York City’s The Continental Baths, for instance, was not only known for its open atmosphere but also for hosting performances by rising stars like Bette Midler. Such venues represented a vibrant mix of sexuality, art, and social life.
The Impact of the HIV/AIDS Crisis
The HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s drastically altered the landscape of gay bathhouses. Many establishments became scapegoats during the crisis, accused of contributing to the spread of the virus. In 1985, New York City officials enforced the closure of several bathhouses, citing public health concerns. This wave of shutdowns marked the beginning of the decline for many saunas, which were suddenly seen less as places of liberation and more as potential vectors of disease.
Though advances in HIV treatment and increased societal acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals have since transformed the community, bathhouses never fully recovered. Their role within the gay scene continued to diminish as new modes of connection emerged.
How Technology Shifted the Need for Physical Spaces
With the advent of dating apps like Grindr, Scruff, and Tinder, meeting other gay men became as simple as tapping on a screen. The convenience of these platforms significantly reduced the demand for physical spaces like bathhouses. Where men once relied on saunas for discreet encounters, they can now arrange meetings in private settings, making public saunas less necessary.
Additionally, as LGBTQ+ individuals gained greater visibility and acceptance, the necessity for secretive, underground spaces began to wane. Queer nightlife shifted focus to bars and clubs, which became the new social hubs, further relegating bathhouses to the background.
The Final Nail: COVID-19 and the Decline of NYC’s Last Gay Bathhouses
The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a final blow to New York’s last remaining gay bathhouses, with lockdowns and public health restrictions making it difficult for them to sustain operations. The closure of East Side Club in 2021 marked a significant end of an era. This sauna, along with others like West Side Club and Manhattan Spa, succumbed to financial challenges brought on by the pandemic.
Their disappearance is not merely a result of economic strain; it reflects a broader cultural shift. As more aspects of life moved online, so too did expressions of queer sexuality, creating a new norm where digital interaction often replaces physical connection.
The Sanitization of Queer Sexuality in the Modern World
The closure of gay saunas is part of a larger trend toward sanitizing sex and sexuality, especially queer expressions of it. There is a growing pressure within society—and even from within LGBTQ+ circles—to present sexuality in ways that conform to mainstream standards of “respectability.” This is reflected in the loss of physical sexual spaces and a broader reluctance to acknowledge queer desire in all its rawness.
Historically, art and culture have celebrated male intimacy without shame or restraint, from classical Greek sculptures to the provocative illustrations of Tom of Finland. However, contemporary culture increasingly pushes such expressions into virtual spaces or shrouds them in “sanitized” depictions. This trend risks erasing an essential part of human experience: the celebration of sex as a natural, beautiful, and intrinsic aspect of life.
Resisting the Erasure of Queer Sexual Spaces
It’s vital to recognize that gay saunas were more than just venues for sex. They affirmed the right to be openly sexual without judgment or shame. Their disappearance not only signifies the loss of physical locations but also a broader shift toward the desexualization of queer existence.
As we continue to push for a world where LGBTQ+ people are fully accepted and respected, we must ensure that this acceptance includes embracing our sexual identities, too. Sex is not something to be hidden or diluted—it’s a fundamental part of our humanity that deserves to be acknowledged, celebrated, and protected.
