I've been thinking about my coming out days in the late 70s in Philly - what a different time that was. Sit down children and listen to a story about the good old days.

It used to be that the streets were filled with men looking for sex. It was possible to meet someone and find a spot in an alley to fuck.

Spruce St was the main cruising ground. 15th and 16th streets were where the hustlers hung out (I was 17, so I didn't need to pay) - further up on 21st and 22nd streets were the "meat market". Guys would drive down Spruce and up Pine and circle around until they found what they were looking for.

But let me tell you about Gay Acres, also referred to as Judy Garland Park....

I first discovered it because I walked to the end of Spruce Street to the Schuylkill River. Then I followed the train tracks, finding some sleaze along the way. Eventually, I made my way all the way to Mecca...I mean the park.

There were several trails with enough shrubbery to provide lots of places to play. It was busy, morning, noon and night, and especially busy at night.

I had hundreds of cocks there - many big, black or Puerto Rican. One guy rode up to me on his bicycle. "I have 11 inches" was all he had to say. I followed him down the trail and got on my knees, ignoring the berries that were staining my white jeans. When I tried to stand up, thinking he might want to fuck me, he ordered, "get back down" and continued feeding me until he flooded my mouth with cum.

Was it dangerous?

Probably.

Once a group of teenagers came through with a pit bull. It looked like they were looking for trouble. I knew my way around enough that I was able to head down one trail, across the railroad tracks and up the other side without them seeing me.

When the police came through, I did the same thing. I knew the trails like the back of my hand (or better).

I left Philly in 1989. When I returned, I was sad to see that the park had been developed. The trails have been cleared, bushes trimmed and a skating park installed. It was another time, where outdoor sex was king. Now Spruce Street, once the gay ghetto, has been gentrified and is some of the most expensive housing in center city. The block/meat market, has been closed. Bath houses and glory holes were shut down. And Gay Acres is but a distant memory.

Does anyone else have memories to share of those days?

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I don’t have a good story but I wish we could meet like we used to right now, have some fun, see if we connect

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