LGBTQ+ Bathhouses — A Clean Place to Get Dirty

Introducing the “Midnight at Kuma” Blog Series

Bathhouses are culturally significant spaces to the LGBTQ+ community. Historically, variations have existed in several countries, such as the Turkish hammam, Japanese onsen, Native American sweat lodge, and Finnish sauna. Although the LGBTQ+ oriented bathhouses offer similar facilities such as showers, saunas, and steam rooms, their intended use goes far beyond bathing. They are commercial spaces, typically oriented toward men who want to have sex with other men, although some such as Kuma Club in Las Vegas, Nevada regularly offer all-genders inclusive events. The modern uses of bathhouses have even evolved to offer unique programming such as nude yoga classes or live kink demonstrations.

Once part of a flourishing industry…

Traditional gay bathhouses have been around since the 1800s in the United States. At a time when it was illegal for men to openly explore and express their sexuality with same-sex partners, these venues served as a safer alternative to meeting men in public parks or restrooms. The privacy and anonymity of bathhouses offered a reduced risk of getting arrested, blackmailed, beaten, robbed, or killed. These were once part of a flourishing industry, with nearly 200 gay bathhouses around the country, but they have gradually become less common with only less than 70 left nationwide as of 2014 and likely less today. The HIV/AIDS epidemic played a pivotal role in making people less comfortable going to gay bathhouses. Some scholars attribute this decline to the closure campaigns of moral crusaders. Others claim that online meetup apps such as Grindr are responsible for the downfall of bathhouses. It’s been suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic will have severe consequences for mass closure of these venues. According to TJ Nibbio, the former executive director of the North American Bathhouse Association, younger generations are staying away from bathhouses because they fear them as “… some dark, seedy place.”

Reimagine the role of bathhouses…

So, we can’t help but wonder, why are these venues with ‘bath’ in their name seen by some as ‘dirty?’ This article series will approach various topics about the evolution of modern LGBTQ+ bathhouses to help readers reimagine the role of bathhouses in today’s society. Some stories may cover the ins and outs of consensual sexual communication etiquette or what to wear and everything to expect. Some articles will offer wholesome deep dives into the cultural benefits of bathhouses, such as their role as research sites for HIV prevention strategies or as safe spaces to explore kinky expressions of sexuality. For the more adventurous readers, stay tuned for riveting first-person perspectives of bathhouse patrons from diverse backgrounds. Through all this, let’s create a cultural shift where LGBTQ+ bathhouses are seen as clean places to get dirty. 

Stay tuned for more articles in the “Midnight at Kuma” blog series

This article was sponsored by Kuma Club Las Vegas.