N.y.’s Mayor Takes Aim At ‘gay’ Baths (Press, 8 November 1985)
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Summary: N.y.’s Mayor Takes Aim At ‘gay’ Baths (Press, 8 November 1985)
On 8 November 1985, New York City Mayor Edward Koch announced his intention to shut down homosexual bars and bathhouses that allow open sexual activity, citing a public health concern amidst the AIDS crisis. This proclamation followed his re-election with a significant majority the previous day. Koch aimed to prioritise the battle against AIDS, stating that these venues "sell death" and were harmful to public health. The first establishment targeted for closure was the Mineshaft, a well-known sado-masochist bar famed for its open sexual practices among patrons. The closure initiative aligns with new state regulations introduced by Governor Mario Cuomo the previous month, which aimed to combat unsafe sexual practices that are contributing to the spread of AIDS. Undercover inspections had reportedly taken place at the Mineshaft and other similar locations, but no closures were made at that time to prevent potential civil unrest from the large LGBTQ+ community within the city, which includes a considerable number of drug users who are particularly at risk. New York City has the highest number of AIDS cases in the United States, with Mayor Koch estimating around 5,000 individuals suffering from the disease and approximately 400,000 carrying the HIV virus, 20 per cent of whom may eventually develop AIDS. The Mineshaft, noted for its distinctive atmosphere where patrons often wear leather and blue jeans and sometimes engage in BDSM activities, is situated in a wholesale meat market in lower Manhattan and charges a weekend admission fee of $10. Koch, who previously sought support from the gay community during his campaign, expressed a resolute stance against the existence of bathhouses, justifying his actions as necessary to protect public health and alleviate the AIDS epidemic. The situation marked a significant intersection of public health policy, social attitudes towards homosexuality, and the ongoing AIDS crisis in New York City during the mid-1980s.
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