Gay Bathhouses and Public Health Policy Books In Print
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Gay Bathhouses and Public Health Policy

Haworth Press, 10 Alice St., Binghamton, NY 23904-1580. (Journal of Homosexuality, v. 44, no 3-4 2003). ISBN 1-56023-272-2, 1-56023-273-0pbk. $49.95, $34.95pbk.
edited by William J. Woods, Diane Binson. 2003.

From the beginning of the AIDS pandemic there has been concern by politicians and the general public that bathhouses were a breeding ground for the HIV virus. Efforts to close down most of the bathhouses were moderately successful but they still remain a high profile venue for social gatherings and sex. The numbers decreased but those that remain continue to be profitable. The question then is how does one instills into those who frequent the bathhouses a sense of responsible sex in order to curb the transmission of the HIV virus.

This book is an excellent historical summary of bathhouses in the U.S. and Canada. The authors have done a remarkable job in researching archives to bring to our attention how important bathhouses have figured in the gay movement. Probably the most important point to gain from this book is the last statement in the chapter that discusses the history of gay bathhouses: "Instead of wasting its time defending its bathhouses, its bars and its very right to exist, the gay community must be allowed to devote all of its resources, including the bathhouses, toward promoting the research, health programs and safe sex educational measures that will save lives." This statement was made in the early 80s and many bathhouses do, indeed, promote safe sex. This is an excellent book that should be in all academic libraries and public libraries in cities where gay bathhouses are located.

Keywords: Bathhouses; Health Policy; Sex Behavior; Prevention and ControlKWDbathhouses;healthpolicy;sexbehavior;preventionandcontrol
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