A Democratic city councilman from Louisville, KY wants to shut down a private “spa” that caters to gay clientele because he’s not convinced it’s a real “spa.” At least, not the kind of “spa” he’s familiar with.
Councilman David James tells WHAS-TV he has a sneaking suspicion Vapor Spa isn’t a “private all male health spa” as its website claims, but rather an underground harem for unsafe sex practices between men that poses a genuine threat to public health.
How very San Francisco circa 1984 of him.
The spa is located inside a 450,00-square-foot business development. James claims a CDC study found approximately 20% of Louisville’s gay men who have contracted STDs also visited the establishment.
How about we take this to the next level?
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“We have issues of sexually transmitted diseases according to the health department coming through there,” he explains. “But the bigger problem is this is a place that advertises and suggests lewd behavior at its location.”
In an effort to build his case, James says he paid a visit to the spa, and that he will never be able to un-see many of the things he witnessed.
“There were people openly having sex all over the place!” he says. “I was kind of shocked.”
But owner George Stinson says there’s no record of James ever visiting. He explains that all patrons are required to sign an agreement that states they are gay man before entering the spa, which is kind of weird in and of itself, no?
So, in theory, unless James presented a fake name and ID, his story about people “openly having sex all over the place” doesn’t check out.
Stinson adds that he’s owned several gay businesses over the past four decades, and that each and every one has, at some point, been accused of being a sex club.
“It never stops,” he says. “I have operated gay businesses for 40 years and every one has been called a sex club.”
Stinson also challenged the CDC study claiming 20% of STD cases among gay men in Louisville can be traced back to Vapor Spa.
“What percent of those men also went to church on Sunday or visited the grocery store?” he asks.
As for James, he’s determined to bring the issue up at the next council meeting.
“I don’t know that we want to generate economic development through a sex club in Louisville,” he says, “if that’s what we want to be known as.”
He adds, “I don’t have a problem with the rest of the development. I only have a problem with the portion known as the Vapor Spa.”
We figured that much.
Related: Guys Reveal Their Best And Worst Bathhouse Experiences
Kangol
Has he been in there? He seems pretty curious. I bet he’d conclude the experience of visiting there and enjoying himself a “happy ending,” and he’d be eager to visit again.
natekerchel
He should join the Republican party, build a one way time machine and go back to the 1980’s, or both. It always strikes me that the ones who shout loudest about this type of thing are the ones who are most likely to be clients – secretly of course. I have no problem with, and no interest in, what other people do with their genitals. To try and scare us all with claims of ‘public health’ issues is disgusting, and is exactly the tack used by the homophobes from the religious right and Republican Party that we love to criticise. To hear that coming from a Democrat is sad.
Vortece
I don’t care what people do with their genitals, either, but it in this age of growing antibiotic resistance it would be nice if we could convince people to play safely. Not only would it be good for our health, but then these guys wouldn’t have that argument to use against us.
Glynn
the 80’s was vile – we lost way to many good and beautiful people to HIV/Aids – we should be interested in what people to with their genitals – it ain’t going away
natekerchel
What’s the likelihood of him being a ‘devoted church goer’? My guess is high.
Captain Obvious
Church and homophobia do not go hand in hand. My family has attended the same church for many decades and some of the most loved members are openly gay. My new pastor actually spoke out against homophobia and other forms of hate during a community event that the surrounding area attends(open to non-members).
All churches shouldn’t be lumped in with homopbobia. There are many churches that speak out against hate and it’s unfair to lump them in. There are also plenty of openly gay pastors and gay friendly churches that try to seek out gay membership specifically.
natekerchel
My apologies Captain Obvious – you are right to point out that not all churches are homophobic. However, that does not mean this particular person is not a homophobic church goer. That I find less sad than the fact that he is an elected Democrat.
@Vortece – I take your point about not leaving ourselves open to this type of thing. However, the issue of sexual practice should not be limited to gay men – as is almost always the case. We have no right to meddle in other people’s private affairs or ‘make windows into men’s souls’. But you are right to point out the dangers of unrestrained sexual practice. I suspect this man has a rather different agenda to you though.
Zeke_Krahlin
When you say “many” churches are gay friendly, you are not contrasting that with the many “more” churches that remain ant-LGBT. We remain vastly outnumbered by the homophobes who /do/ go hand in hand with churches. You make our egregious situation look a lot better than it really is.
dwes09
While there are many churches that support diversity and actively fight homophopbia (notibly UCC and City of Refuge affiliated churches, episcopal churches and more), the majority consider homosexuality a moral failing and dictate celibacy or heterosexuality for homosexual members. They do more harm than good and contribute to the spread of disease and despair.
JoeyRamone
Captain Obvious. Well let’s not exaggerate. Clearly, you want to defend your family and community. The Church (religion, in general) and homophobia may not go hand in hand but they are close neighbors. You write of “many” gay-friendly churches. Exactly how many is that? And I’ll bet not many of them–i.e, zero–are evangelical, Catholic, or Mormon, which however much they love the sinner, with their bright shinny smiles, they hate the “sin.” Being gay ain’t a sin. Period.
Finally, while speaking out against homophobia might be considered admirable to some, I don’t give credit to the lowest bar of what should be absolutely expected from every public organization, especially tax-exempt ones.
Juanjo
Re the health department statement – correlation is not causation. The man is right. Twenty percent went to his club, I am willing to bet an even higher number went to the local Kroger store.
Glynn
Yes, but do you think the people who went to Kroger’s got their dicks out?
Dave4445
Glynn – perhaps the remaining 80% were all on Grindr, Scruff and Growlr, making a bathhouse the least likely popular cruise place to get a STD.
These statistics are meaningless, especially in a small city like Louisville where you can count LGBT establishments on one and a half hands or so. Making it very likely that a big percentage of sexually active gay men have something in common.
batesmotel
So anti-gay people are not just in the Republican Party after all. They’re also within the Democratic Party. A party claiming to be supportive of gays. Well the majority of Democrats voted Yes on Prop 8 back in 2008 while voting for Obama at the same time. That’s why it didn’t pass originally.
Louis
batesmotel That can happen in either party I’m afraid.
However that being said there is no evidence of your biased claim of democrats being behind the support of Prop 8 in 2008 .
In fact most democrats were the ones openly and vocally against it back then plenty of them spoke out against it including Nancy Pelosi .
Not to mention :
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi35_DE38vSAhUL3mMKHX4vCNMQFgg1MAM&url=http%3A%2F%2Farticles.latimes.com%2F2008%2Fnov%2F11%2Flocal%2Fme-marriage11&usg=AFQjCNGrAjr8IjEbZONqjK7Jc3muHCQbug&sig2=9W8xD4Ho9lXUhAH-fegGuQ&bvm=bv.149093890,d.cGc
dwes09
Please provide a link to an impartial site that presents statistics regarding prop 8 and democratic voters. I do not think you can. A majority of Californians may have voted for prop 8, but not a majority of Democrats.
Dave4445
Prop 8 passed by 51%, hardly evidence that a majority of Democrats in California supported it.
According to exit polls, the biggest common factor among voters who supported Prop 8 was regular church attendance.
Since it’s common knowledge that most Democrats are baby killing devil worshiping homos, how could your statement be accurate?
Heywood Jablowme
Apparently it never occurred to him that gay bathhouses always require ID (in the U.S. anyway). He just made up the story without realizing he’d get disproved so easily.
But it’s not all that surprising he’s an elected Democrat – I’ve seen an awful lot of ignorance from GAY men right here on Queerty (mostly Democrats, presumably) about gay bathhouses and what they’re really like. Nowadays there is more STD infection at home from hookup apps than from gay baths, where condoms are always available. Nor is there “sex all over the place” in a bathhouse; sex is in the private rooms or in very specific rooms. The baths I’m familiar with are strict about drugs too, and will kick out the zombie-like, thieving “PNP” crowd.
Billy Budd
Here in Brazil all gay bath houses distribute free condoms. It is included in the price of admission. Nobody gets diseases and everybody has a GREAT time. When I was promiscuous I went to bath houses and had many adventures. I had sex with many straight identifying guys and also gay guys. Bath houses can be a part of heaven on earth. It is a magical atmosphere of camaraderie and free love.
natekerchel
I am sorry batesmotel – I forever see Anthony Perkins in full psycho mode whenever I see your name on here. Of course you are going to get some people in the Democratic Party who really should be with the Republicans, as they enjoy discriminating against anyone who does not fit into their tiny world. I can understand that if you seek election in one of the dumbo states as a Democrat, you might have to hold back on the pushing of equality to get elected. That is different from joining in with the bullies. This man has joined the bullies. I can also not understand why someone from one minority chooses to launch attacks on members of another minority. That is divide and rule working perfectly for the right wing and religious extremists.
Roan
Oh really. It’s a “spa” for gay men? No sexual contact whatsoever takes place there, despite the strict dress code (towels / gym wear and the “private changing rooms” that rent for $20.00 per hour. The men in the website photo in the hot tub are nude. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA whatever. It sounds like a wonderful place and I can’t wait to go!
Bad Ass Biker
In the past I have been to a couple of gay bath houses here in Chicago and most of the men are more covered and discreet in the public area than the straight, elderly, flabby and naked old men wandering around the dressing room of the straight gym I go to.
NateOcean
Next up:
Councilman David James visits the seashore. Reveals that water is wet.
BRYANinSF
Councilman James should mind his own damn business and stay out of private establishments that cater to gay men. What kind of research does he plan on conducting next…peeking through motel windows or listening at the doors of Louisville hotels? You better get busy, Councilman, because there is consensual sex between adults going on in those places as well. Maybe you could get a bullhorn, stand in the hallways and bellow, “If you’re using your penises for anything other than peeing or procreating, STOP IT IMMEDIATELY!”
Jason
If this guy was a Republican this would be your top story. THIS is an attack on gay people. Not assumptions about how the repeal of the ACA will pan out.
Eclatant
So has anyone actually seen this CDC study? Seems odd that they’d be studying one spa/club/establishment in one city like that.
TimberWolf
You know a guilty party when they accuse something they have personal issues with in this case Councilman James has issues with a gay spa, perhaps its Gay irks him and maybe if he can get to visit a womans spa he may see lesbians having sex after a pedi and wax. This reads more like a witch hunt to disgrace the gay community portraying in a sexual perverse unsafe light. Of course Councilman James is accusations are falsified , when the religion cards and church are mentioned they are grasping for straws.
DCguy
In other words, he thinks somebody recognized him at the sex club and is doing this to try to have an excuse when that story leaks.
Wayne
Bwahahah love the quote “It never stops,” he says. “I have operated gay businesses for 40 years and every one has been called a sex club.” says the owner of a gay spa… which is of course not a place where men have sex… no… of course not… nothing to see here folks… move along
ROFLMAO
paul dorian lord fredine
sure, he was only curious. riiiight.
niles
Right, he found an ID on the sidewalk. As for these clubs, most policemen will tell you that they help keep wanton sexual activity away from public areas. It is also a private club – butt out!
He BGB
Zeroing in on gay men again. Probably a neighborhood doing gentrification and wanting property values to go up where a bunch of old Christians live or mean yuppies.