Bath-house Closure ‘a Bad Joke’ (Press, 9 November 1985)

On 9 November 1985, a significant initiative aimed at curbing the spread of A.I.D.S. in New York City commenced with the closure of the well-known gay bar, the Mineshaft. This action came after city lawyers secured a court order to shut down the establishment, located in the city’s meatpacking district, notorious for its connections to the gay community. The closure was part of Mayor Edward Koch's broader campaign, announced shortly after his election to a third term, to combat the rising A.I.D.S. crisis that had claimed more than 7000 lives in New York City. The law enforcement measures targeted bars and bathhouses where sexual activity was prevalent, as they were believed to significantly contribute to the transmission of the disease, particularly among the homosexual population. However, reactions from the gay community highlighted a sense of skepticism towards the effectiveness of such closures. John Svensson, a gay caterer, described the action as an "empty gesture," predicting that new private sex clubs would quickly replace the closed establishments, rendering the city’s efforts ineffective. This move to close such venues was prompted by increasing alarm from state officials over the alarming death rates from A.I.D.S. in the city. New regulations had been established, allowing local authorities more power to shut down places associated with what was classified as "high-risk sex." The debate surrounding the closure of these locations had been contentious, with supporters arguing that they were essential measures to protect public health, while opponents decried them as an infringement on personal privacy and freedoms. The closure of the Mineshaft was emblematic of a larger struggle within the city to respond to the A.I.D.S. epidemic while balancing civil liberties and public health protection. Though the immediate action had been taken, many within the gay community expressed doubt that such measures would make a genuine difference in halting the spread of the virus, suggesting persistent underground venues would persist despite legal efforts to shut them down.

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