An unusual post on Reddit has prompted a flurry of interest in Australia. A user in the harbor city of Newcastle, New South Wales, wrote it.
The poster (@Eel_intent) wanted to pay tribute to a queer man who recently passed. “I won’t use his real name, because y’know, that’d be weird. We’ll just call him Gary.”
“Missus and I met Gary when we moved into our home a couple of years ago and struck up a friendship with Gary when walking past his yard and patting his floofy little dogs.”
“Within that first conversation; after getting to know us a bit first, Gary went on to reveal that it was he who pioneered the installation of glory holes throughout Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast, and certain parts of Maitland. Gary made it his mission to install cock sockets in the beats of the region so no curious man’s penis would need remain dry.”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“Although he had said that he begun this public service in the mid 60’s, in recent years a lot of Gary’s work was undone just as soon as it was installed, and he was uncertain if any of his dick slots still exist to this day. (I personally have seen only one the entire 22 years I’ve lived here).”
“Gary was a quiet man with no family at all. Just three fancy little dogs and a lifelong passion for meeting men in public bathrooms. I just wanted to put something out there for a man who was, in many ways, an underappreciated part of the city’s infrastructure. Thanks.”
Related: Famed museum sparks controversy by acquiring glory hole for its permanent collection
Remembering “Gary”
Although the credibility of postings on Reddit may be suspect, this seems a pretty odd one to have dreamt up out of thin air. The poster’s responses to some of the questions he received also had an air of authenticity to them.
“What will happen to the dogs?” asked one person.
“Dogs have gone to the dude he was kinda seeing (not really his bf) in Sydney,” replied the poster.
Some people had ideas for special tributes in memory of the man.
“Perhaps changing their names from ‘glory holes’ to ‘Gary holes’ would be a fitting tribute and appropriate way to memorialise this great man,” was one well-liked comment.
Another said, “I’m curious what’s going to be on his headstone? Maybe drill a hole through the top in his remembrance?”
Others had further questions, with one asking how the conversation had turned from “hello, lovely morning to walk my three floofy dogs, isn’t it?” to talk of glory holes in toilets.
“He had been quite isolated,” replied the poster, “and once he found out we’re cozy with the gay community he just let a lot out. It was a good time.”
Others thanked him for posting the tribute to the unknown glory hole maker and shining a light on a lesser-known part of queer culture.
Not everyone is impressed by man’s actions
However, not everyone thought the posting amusing or sweet. A handful of respondents made their displeasure known.
“If I’m using the cubical, I don’t want to see inside the next one. If a kid is in the next one, I’m sure they want privacy too. As a parent, I insist on it. I’m not a fan. I think it’s vandalism and gives homosexuality a bad name. Not sure how to see the practice as not being grotty. FYI : I’m gay, married and have two kids in their 20s.”
The original poster was quick to defend his friend. He pointed out that it was a “legacy” activity that he was sure happened less frequently now. And there were good reasons for closeted men to go to public restrooms for sex in the past.
“Gary was a man of his time. He was not a pervert. He still held ALL of the fears and insecurities brought on by a lifetime of intolerance,” he said.
“Even at 87 years old he would say to my wife ‘I want you to know that I’m not interested in your husband. I can be friends with men without wanting to have sex with them,’ at least once a week. He was slightly paranoid about people knowing this side of him despite his initial comfort with us. He had told us about the times he had the shit kicked out of him and he told us about the month his family disowned him one-by-one until no one was there for him anymore.
“I get what you are saying,” he added. “I even agree with it. However, I am all acceptant of the environment we created together on both sides of the sexual preference pool. Gary was never going to change. Gary had trauma, and intimacy for Gary was something done with stealth and little bit of naughtiness.”
Related: Residents rally to preserve city’s historic glory holes
Neoprene
I know we are all mourning the passing of CAMmie. I didn’t realize, though, that he was posting from Australia. I imagine there will be a moment of silence for him before the Argentina-Australia World Cup match tomorrow. Rest in Arrogance, CAMmie!
still_onthemark
I hear Cam was attacked and pecked to death by his two parrots, Sad and Weak!
Diplomat
Still
LoL Touche
Pier
Oh my…. let the pearl clutching commence. A gloryhole. How 1970s. We gays are far above all that now
inbama
That was actually a delightful story.
Gay history has always been about survival , invention and taking pleasure when you can.
Thanks Queerty.
abfab
I was almost always afraid of someone biting off my penis so I shied away. Maybe it happened in one of my many nightmares. But I loved watching the face of the reciever while feeling him up and making out with him. Christopher and Hudson?…..help me out here boys.
They didn’t have these in ancient Greece?
inbama
The power drill was patented in 1917 by S. Duncan Black and Alonzo Decker
abfab
I hope they invented sandpaper too.
cynthia_foxe
the ones at the library at my college, univ of houston, were fab for suckin off bored hot str8s. eventually they installed a security guard as men came from all over the state !
abfab
Oh honey, they might have been hets but they were for sure were not straight. Love the share just the same. I hope we hear from everyone! Can we shake this place up a little bit!
SantaFeJack
In Pre-AIDS days, glory holes provided endless sexual opportunities and incredible excitement!
bachy
Gloryholes are a kind of retro fetish now. People set them up in their homes.
GREATGLORYHOLER
i had a Glory Hole installed in my Apartment from 2007 till 2016 It is in Storage until I find a new place to set it up. Now I just use a Traveling Glory Hole that I can set up in my Hotel Room
bafoxe2
Look for a Penis for the night on the site -> hot4.app
peacefulruffneck
What a great fun story. I many how many thousands (or more?) were served.
analove
A man with a big dick for the night look for on the site -> hot4.app
Kangol2
The ones in Columbia’s, New School’s, Pace’s, NYU’s and the various CUNY colleges’ libraries were legendary!
RIP, “Gary Gloryholer of Oz”!
Joseph1971
I am sorry, but 99.99 percent of the guys who use a stall know there is glory hole in that particular cubicle. I love how all of these “holier than though” types act as if they are horrified, like they have never seen one before. Grow up!
Where did you go to college? I bet there was one someone on your campus, and it may not have been utilized entirely by those who identify as LGBT and the rest of those letters. Give me a break, don’t act so naive.
PhillyProud
How many of the negative comments are from young gay men, who think we always had it this easy? I swear some of these guys have no idea of our history. One guy doesn’t want to see the stall next to him? Put some frigging toilet paper in the hole. The fear of being unmarried during Gary’s lifetime was huge, particularly in the States. They had to keep up appearances. GHs were an easy way to remain discreet and get/give a little love. 😉