Has anyone read Tearoom trade?

[+ FreshFluff]

This is a sociological study of gay tearooms in the midwest done in the late 60s. It was done as a dissertation, but the researcher's degree was revoked when the school found out more about his methods.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tearoom_Trade

 

I know tearooms still exist. Who frequents them these days? Is it still mostly frequented closeted and/or married men or just men who like anonymous sex?

[RexAll]

This is a sociological study of gay tearooms in the midwest done in the late 60s. It was done as a dissertation, but the researcher's degree was revoked when the school found out more about his methods.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tearoom_Trade

 

I know tearooms still exist. Who frequents them these days? Is it still mostly frequented closeted and/or married men or just men who like anonymous sex?

 

I was too young to read it when it came out. I was 9. A slight correction- Wikipedia says the campaign to have his degree revoked failed.

 

I remember when I was in high school Texas Monthly had an article about where gay men 'cruised' for sex in various Texas cities. The 1st floor men's bathroom ( next to the elevators) at the local JC Penneys was noted to be an active spot for anonymous encounters. I remember going and standing 'unobtrusively' near the elevator to see if I could discover any illicit sex going on- but I never did.

 

Rex

[jjkrkwood]

There is a lovely tearoom in NYC that I frequent quite often. The tea is a real pick-me-up, steeped to perfection, and I just love their scones.

[+ Charlie]

This is a sociological study of gay tearooms in the midwest done in the late 60s. It was done as a dissertation, but the researcher's degree was revoked when the school found out more about his methods.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tearoom_Trade

 

I know tearooms still exist. Who frequents them these days? Is it still mostly frequented closeted and/or married men or just men who like anonymous sex?

 

I think tearooms have always been logical hook-up spots all over the world for closeted and married men, or for those who don't have access to any other places to meet men for sex. I made most of my first connections there, because I was too young to go to bars, and social organizations for gay teenagers didn't exist when I was a youth. I suspect that nowadays, when even those who are deep in the closet have so many safer options, they are used mostly by those who respond to spontaneously to an opportunity, or who get off on the danger or sleaziness associated with tearoom sex.

[Phil_musc]

Any special Devonshire cream for those miraculous scones?

[jjkrkwood]

Any special Devonshire cream for those miraculous scones?

 

Special creme is Mandatory !

[+ FreshFluff]

*Whoosh*, that went over my head. Is that a reference to balls and what comes out of them?

 

Interestingly, there are "private" glory holes in people's homes now. Maybe this quasi-anonymous sex is appealing to those who were weaned on the real thing.