- In Bordeaux, the gay sauna on rue Thiers, the oldest in the Gironde capital, could reopen on June 2, surprised to obtain authorization from the Regional Health Agency.
- The National Union of Gay Enterprises (Sneg), however, recalled that everything was not so clear. Everything is a question of classification of these establishments and particularly strict health protocol.
- So how do you manage the return to business when barrier actions are invited? Faced with the difficulty, some libertine clubs preferred to remain closed, others reopened in all discretion and serenity, to satisfy their customers in a hurry.
They will reopen. Quickly. They are expected by "regulars in a hurry, lacking promiscuity". The libertine establishments of Bordeaux are "back in business" as Louis * who has frequented the Nikki Club for over ten years already would say. So how to manage the return to sexcapades, swinging and threesomes (or more) when the barrier gestures are invited?
Therein lies the problem for the Sauna Gay Thiers and its competitors in the metropolis. All of them, according to them, received the "go" from the Regional Health Agency of New Aquitaine (ARS), so, almost surprised, they reopened their doors last Tuesday ... before the National Union of Gay Enterprises (Sneg) does not curb their ardor. There is a catch since saunas and libertine clubs play on several tables: they have many swimming pools or a license IV [establishments receiving the public (ERP) of type N like the bars] and were thus authorized to reopen on June 2. But they are also EPR type X (a pure coincidence), assimilated to indoor sports halls where collective practices are prohibited until June 22. "We can apparently reopen the bathrooms but not the rest or by respecting a crazy sanitary protocol, impossible to set up," explains Juan, manager of the emblematic gay sauna on the Bordeaux right bank. It almost seems like they wanted to dissuade us. How do you want to clean your establishment every 30 minutes when it is 500m2? "
"The" glory hole "prevents saliva splashes"
To this reinforced cleaning, should be added the front temperature measurement at the entrance of clubs or saunas, the prohibition of grouped entries, disinfection after each customer outing, the limitation of the gauge in the showers, the hammam or the sauna, the wearing of a compulsory mask and the implementation of a circulation plan. "Either I stay closed, or I open up by relaxing the rules myself," insists Juan, strolling through the very narrow corridors of his establishment. Our cabins are private and could respect this protocol, similar to the "glory hole", which avoids splashing of saliva. I can close the hammam or the backroom, but it would make no sense. I will not deprive my clients of the pleasures they come to offer themselves. Finally, it is too humid here to keep a mask and then we already have enough gel ... we will not add more. "
Juan believes that these strict rules only add superfluous "safe" when his establishment already benefits from five hours of cleaning each morning, every day of the year "Covid-19 epidemic or not". Showering is compulsory at the entrance and after each sexual intercourse. The water of the basins scrupulously analyzed each week, according to the instructions of the ARS. "We really hope that this protocol will be lightened by June 22, because this prolonged confinement is a serious blow. You have to be strong, because financially it is tense, ”says the manager who took over the business thirteen years ago.
Pending this flexible protocol, the avenue Thiers sauna will remain closed. Like The Container or the Different. Other libertine clubs have however woken up, taking advantage of the vagueness surrounding the decrees, by opening their masked bars, by closing their eyes to physical distancing and by preferring not to be cited. "We received emails from May 11 from regulars in a rush, lack of promiscuity, says the manager of a club open to mixed couples. For some, going out to the club is not just about fucking, it's also about seeing their friends in a cozy place. It is sometimes their only outing of the month so the social bond was broken. "
“This Covid-19 is above all a dirty time for group sex. "
Among these regulars, Louis and his wife. The couple frequent once or twice a week at swingers clubs in Bordeaux. During confinement, the “lacking” duo chose to continue exchanging and mixing with other “curious straight guys”. "We weren't the only ones, on the libertine dating sites it moved a lot," says Louis. We then remember Alexander *, a pixie restorer crossed at the start of confinement. The gourmet quadra had finally let go of the knife: “This Covid-19 is above all a bad time for orgy. "Orphan of his favorite naughty places, Alexandre already predicted that he would not let go of his accomplices:" It will be done at my place. I trust my partners. And if necessary I will protect my body with plastic film ... by deconfining the essentials. "
The essentials will also continue to be preserved on the right bank of the Garonne. “Our priority has always been hygiene. It is ultimately less dangerous to come into the club than to rub shoulders with strangers at home. Here, hydroalcoholic gel is everywhere. Everything is clean and everything has always been, continues the manager who refuses to be the "cop". All the so-called "normalized" couples were able to fully experience their sexuality. I don't see why we should censor our customers any longer when debauchery is a small medium. Everyone knows each other. We are a great couple. "
* The first name has been changed
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