I can not offer much of an opinion - having never been to the baths. I wanted to and thought about it - very tempted - but always chickened out afraid of someone I knew finding out and very cautious from having grown up in the days of AIDS.
Two parts of the article I found interesting...
Quote:
Public bathhouses originally operated in major cities to promote hygiene among poorer populations, but as indoor plumbing became universal, the venues transitioned into cruising houses for gay men.
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I never really thought about the fact that bath houses opened as BATH houses! It does not really make a difference - but I find it an interesting bit of trivia.
The other part I found interesting was comparing it to Prohibition - in both cases an illegal activity - but also one that in the majority of places the law turned a blind eye to.
Interesting article - thanks for posting it.