NY State Lawmakers Propose Allowing Sex in Bathhouses Again

[Luv2play]

NYTimes reports that a group of gay state lawmakers are spearheading a push to bring back spaces in gay bathhouses to permit sexual activity. These spaces were closed down in 1986 to prevent the spread of HIV. 
They argue it’s legal in Texas and Florida but not NY. That’s ridiculous they claim given the changes in science and attitudes and practices regarding harm reduction . 
It will take a year for the legislature to adopt such changes and a lot can happen in politics in that time. 
Still, looks like change may be coming to that great city which never sleeps. 

[+ SirBillybob]

Welp … bette on a comeback?

Edited August 9 by SirBillybob

[Luv2play]

I remember visiting the St. Mark’s Baths in the early 1980’s. It was an overwhelming experience for this guy from Canada, although I was no country bumpkin.
 

 At the time I was living in Europe and just on a visit. I had never seen an establishment like this on such a scale. In the end I didn’t do much but just gape at the spectacle. 

[+ Charlie]

I had no idea that NY State lawmakers had ever dealt with this subject. 

[+ BOZO T CLOWN]

3 minutes ago, Charlie said:

I had no idea that NY State lawmakers had ever dealt with this subject. 

https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-york/10-NYCRR-24-2.2

BTC
🤡

[Rod Hagen]

This article confused me as I seem to remember hearing about a bathhouse on 8th or 9th in the 20s in Chelsea 20 years ago, West Side Boys or something like that.  Am I misremembering?

[+ Travis69]

57 minutes ago, BOZO T CLOWN said:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-york/10-NYCRR-24-2.2

BTC
🤡

How does your stripper joint in NYC get away with it?

[Luv2play]

1 hour ago, Rod Hagen said:

This article confused me as I seem to remember hearing about a bathhouse on 8th or 9th in the 20s in Chelsea 20 years ago, West Side Boys or something like that.  Am I misremembering?

The article states that the bathhouses were not closed down by the legal change in 1986, just that they had to close the private cabins. I guess some decided to close anyway since they were losing a key attraction of the baths. 
Bette Midler had only so much drawing power. lol

[dutchal]

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/08/nyregion/gay-bathhouses-ny-law.html

https://nypost.com/2026/08/05/us-news/ny-lawmakers-push-for-return-of-sex-fueled-bathhouses/

https://www.them.us/politics/new-york-bathhouse-bill

 

 

[BigDMike]

Okay...hate to potentially ask a dumb question....though I have been to bathhouses, not one in NY. 

Are you saying....if I was to show up, I wouldn't see anyone having sex?  Or just no private rooms for people to do their thing and it was out in the open?

I never realized there was a law against this....I've been to a fair share in different states and Mexico, Canada and Japan and always engaged with or visibly watched others fully get it on.

[notarobot]

Way more than 20 years ago:  The Everard Baths on W 28 ST...called the everhard by one and all.

[Heart It Deep]

On 8/9/2026 at 12:06 PM, Rod Hagen said:

This article confused me as I seem to remember hearing about a bathhouse on 8th or 9th in the 20s in Chelsea 20 years ago, West Side Boys or something like that.  Am I misremembering?

West Side Club got around the rule because they charge  "membership fee" before entry.  It's  reason I've never been.  Compared to Europe etc where entry is 20-30 Euros...  You end up spending closer to 100 dollars just to get in.  Unless you actually wanted to go all the time, it didn't seem worth the price to me. 

[Rod Hagen]

On 8/10/2026 at 1:37 PM, BigDMike said:

Okay...hate to potentially ask a dumb question....though I have been to bathhouses, not one in NY. 

Are you saying....if I was to show up, I wouldn't see anyone having sex?  Or just no private rooms for people to do their thing and it was out in the open?

I never realized there was a law against this....I've been to a fair share in different states and Mexico, Canada and Japan and always engaged with or visibly watched others fully get it on.

I went to the BathHouses in LA when I was young and they broke up any public displays, telling the gentlemen to go to their rooms instead.  Presumably it's the same around the US in whichever BHs are still operating.

Edited Wednesday at 02:05 PM by Rod Hagen

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

5 hours ago, Rod Hagen said:

I went to the BathHouses in LA when I was young and they broke up any public displays, telling the gentlemen to go to their rooms instead.  Presumably it's the same around the US in whichever BHs are still operating.

Here in Las Vegas, several bathhouse and sex clubs allow sex out in the open.  Some have glory holes and some have slings out in the open.  There's a heterosexual sex club called the Green Door where men and women have sex out in the open and spectators may join in.  The only caveat is no employees of the bathhouse or sex club can participate (considered prostitution).

[+ BOZO T CLOWN]

This is the wording of the law:

"No establishment shall make facilities available for the purpose of sexual activities where anal intercourse, vaginal intercourse or fellatio take place. Such facilities shall constitute a threat to the public health."

If the law is repealed, will this mean that all of the NYC Equinox clubs can stop monitoring their saunas? And if it does happen, watch out for a big demand for mops in NYC. 

BTC
🤡