Gay bathhouse manhattan
Mt. Morris Baths
History
Located in the basement floor of the Lohengrin apartment house, the Mt. Morris Baths (originally the Mayer Baths) was the first commercial tenant of this space. The establishment, featuring Turkish and Russian baths, catered to a mostly Jewish clientele and in the late 19th century was also acknowledged as a hangout for police officers. By 1915, the baths were renamed the Mt. Morris Baths, and by the 1920s and 1930s, African-American patrons began frequenting the baths reflecting changes in the demographics of the neighborhood.
When exactly it began to attract a predominantly lgbtq+, African-American clientele is unknown, but it was mostly likely in the 1920s during the Harlem Renaissance. In 1923, Carl Van Vechten, patron of the Harlem Renaissance, noted in his diary that he had visited the baths, which at the time was known for its “rough trade.” In 1930, Countee Cullen left his wife Yolande Du Bois for Harold Jackman, who he had allegedly met at the baths. Lincoln Kirstein characterized the baths as “a rendezvous” for “notorious homosexuals, deviated perverts, and merc
Gay Saunas in New York City
Introduction to New York City Gay Saunas and Bathhouses
Discovering a gay bathhouse in New York Metropolis can feel like navigating a maze, especially when you realize the options seem surprisingly sparse in such a bustling metropolis. This is a ordinary puzzle many gay travellers find themselves trying to solve when they go to NYC. In this capital, the gay sauna tradition diverges significantly from what one might find in European capitals like Barcelona, Rome, or Milan.
Why, you might ask? The landscape of gay saunas in New York City has been shaped by its history, particularly during the devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, leading to the closure of many establishments. Yet, the essence of communal and intimate exploration among gay men has not dwindled. Instead, it has transformed, giving rise to alternative venues and vibrant events that capture the essence of New York's gay scene.
East Side Club, the city's lone traditional gay bathhouse survivor. From massage-based establishments masquerading as spas to the lively world of gay sex parties, Novel York City offers a plethora of choices for those looking to scout their desires in a safe a
NYC Bath Houses Are Assist, and Gay Men Are Cruising Them Once More
23 years ago, Metrosource published “A Gun in the Closet,” an article recounting the lives of 3 LGBTQ youth and the issues they were facing. Moved by the piece, Leo Preziosi decided to do something to persist the efforts to safeguard LGBTQ+ youth in response to the extremely upper suicide rates. He formed Live Out Loud, a nonprofit dedicated to serving LGBTQ+ youth ages 13 to 18 by partnering with families, schools, and communities to provide resources, role models, and opportunities for our at-risk group youth. After two decades of success, the group presented its 23rd Annual Trailblazers Gala last month, bringing together donors, corporate supporters, election officials, and youth scholarship winners to celebrate the organization’s life-affirming educational programming. At the event, 3 LGBTQ+ seniors were awarded the Stay Out Loud Young Trailblazers Scholarship Award towards the college of their selection. The event also honored LGBTQ+ mentors, role models, and community builders. Truly inspiring work from just one article. We caught up with Live Out Loud Founder and Executive Director Leo Preziosi af
Continental Baths at the Ansonia Hotel
History
In the late 1960s, Steve Ostrow, an entrepreneur and former opera singer, wanted to elevate the gay bathhouse experience from what were then seedy spaces to an enhanced destination as a health club and spa. At the hour, homosexuality was illegal and most New York Capital LGBT bars were operated by the Mafia.
In 1968, he leased the vacant 40,000-square-foot, multi-level basement room of the once lavish Ansonia Hotel (then rental apartments), which previously housed its Turkish Baths and swimming pool area. Ostrow predicted that his modern venture would draw patrons away from other locations such as the well-established Everard Baths.
Ostrow initially created a space that he advertised as the recreation of the “glory of Ancient Rome.” It featured a disco dance floor, pool with cascading waterfall, sauna rooms, bunk beds in public areas, and tiny private rooms. When it first opened on September 12, 1968, it contained 50 rooms and 200 lockers and operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Over moment, Ostrow added a cabaret and stage, restaurant, gym, l
.