5 arrested at gay sex site

Phila. Daily News ^ | Thu, Feb. 13, 2003 | CATHERINE LUCEY

[NativeSon]

Wild, anonymous, male sex romps took place frequently in the sixth-floor men's room at the Center City Strawbridge's store, police said.

Police arrested five men yesterday, and another half dozen last month, in the bathroom, which is listed as a primo sex spot on a graphic Web site catering to gay men.

The men's room also was featured in Philadelphia magazine last month as "one of the classiest spots in town to find love with a perfect stranger."

All face charges of prostitution or lewd behavior, said Lt. Charles Green. None was a Strawbridge's employees.

Strawbridge officials were not available to comment last night.

Green said Strawbridge's, on Market near 9th, reported the problem to police in early January after a father and son walked into the bathroom around Christmas and saw two men having sex.

According to posts on the gay Web site, the bathroom has been popular for months. As many as 11 men could be crowded into the room, they said.

"I've been here when the stalls were half full and three guys were standing outside the occupied stalls with their pants down (or off completely!)," one writer said.

Another said: "I've been there when four or five guys are all going at it at the same time."

The bathroom is located in the restaurant, at the far end of the long pink dining room, with white linen tablecloths, crystal chandeliers and oil paintings.

The restroom appeared pretty slow last night.

The Web site also suggests other public bathrooms for the sexually voracious, including one in the Mellon Building on Market near 8th; the bathroom near the food court at the Gallery, on Market between 7th and 11th; and the basement restroom in the Mellon Bank Building at Market Street near 18th.

Green said they were investigating other locations, but would not reveal where they were.

[jimt]

If libertarians are conservatives I must be something else.

Well, there are a few words that come to mind....

[Rustheman]

It's Mickey Gilly.

[jimt]

With such poor performance on ordinary crime, it is perfectly reasonable to question the priorities here.

You have a right to complain if they don't solve your burglaries, but Strawbridge's has a right to keep people from using their restrooms for public sex.

[asneditor]

"Well, there are a few words that come to mind...."

You said it buddy without ever saying it ;-)

[biblewonk]

Remember judge not less ye be judged. Isn't that what it says?

Heather verse 101! Every heathen knows this, even Metalica.

[biblewonk]

Oops, Heather = Heathen. Sorry Heather.

[asneditor]

You make no sense whatsoever. Will you please explain your post of
"Libertarians must be so upset that these men aren't allowed to inject or injest anything they want into their own bodies."
For such a good bible thumper so far all I have seen from you is slander. Can you back up the statement you have made?

[biblewonk]

For such a good bible thumper so far all I have seen from you is slander. Can you back up the statement you have made?

I first heard that statement from a Libertarian on the FR. It was a year or 2 ago so I can't find the poster.

[asneditor]

So you heard it from "ONE" Libertarian so does that mean all Libertarians feel this way?

If thats the case then all christians must be murderers because Jim Jones was. All Christians must be haters because Rev. Phelps is.

Now do you see where I cam coming from?

[f.Christian]

JJ was a drug addict -- homosexual too !

He would use rape for punishment !

[asneditor]

Yup, ol JJ was some kinda creep for darn sure.
From what I have seen and read he started out in his youth as a good person. Somewhere along the way he sure went awry. I guess that goes to show what herion and cocaine can do for ya.

[biblewonk]

I would see where you were coming from if so many other Libertarians hadn't posted such similar things, just not EXACTLY the same. As far as Christianity is concerned. All kinds of people call themselves Christians. Those are the people I usually debate. When I see a post about sex or drugs I just automatically thing of the Libertarians I've read on the FR who want total liberty regarding all vices. Things like legalizing all drugs and prostitution, almost anything, as long as it is victimless.

A surprising number of Libertarians also call themselves Christians though seldom the Mensas.

[GSWarrior]

Everyone knows the aroma of urinal cakes is quite an aphrodisaic.

[Billthedrill]

It isn't just gay men - us straight guys do this too, right? I mean, I hang around women's rooms with my pants down to my ankles all the time.

I just can't figure out why everyone laughs...

[asneditor]

Well, thats why you shouldnt paint with such a broad brush.

Now with the religion part out of the way I will also tell you I too am for legalization of drugs. Why? Im sure that is your first question. Because, the only person being hurt by drugs is the person taking them and that is their choice. So you will come back by saying no, thats not true, drug dealers kill each other off all the time. and I say yes that is very true but if they took the money out of the trade through legalization the criminal element would be gone with no need for drug wars.

Now before I am labeled a heathen again I would like to let you know I am a deacon in my church (Central Christian Church)and I do drug counseling. There is NO REDEEMING VALUE to drugs and the good lord knows we would be better off without them but unfortunately thats not the case.
We have fought and fought against drugs through laws and law enforcement and it has gotten worse. It's time to try a different approach.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

You can also check your state and town and see what restrooms to avoid.

[stands2reason]

Great. Now you have to worry about sending your son into a public restroom.

[biblewonk]

Now with the religion part out of the way I will also tell you I too am for legalization of drugs. Why? Im sure that is your first question. Because, the only person being hurt by drugs is the person taking them and that is their choice. So you will come back by saying no, thats not true, drug dealers kill each other off all the time. and I say yes that is very true but if they took the money out of the trade through legalization the criminal element would be gone with no need for drug wars.

Religion out of the way?

Drug addiction hurts the individual and everyone in contact with that person especially spouse parents and kids. Drug addiction is a huge drain on the economy apart from the money spent to try and fight the sources. The bible speaks about the fall of people. Paul said he would not eat meat again if it caused his brother to fall. Where is that spirit in the Libertarian "Christian"?

Now before I am labeled a heathen again I would like to let you know I am a deacon in my church (Central Christian Church)and I do drug counseling.

Interesting. It is like a unitarian church? Are you a female? Central Christian Church could be like some of those liberal gay churches for all I know. There are so many things out there passing off as Christianity it's just sad. Even the Methodist church has completely left the bible and become a discrace. I'm not assuming the worst of you but I'm still really struggling with the idea of being a Libertarian and a Christian.

There is NO REDEEMING VALUE to drugs and the good lord knows we would be better off without them but unfortunately thats not the case. We have fought and fought against drugs through laws and law enforcement and it has gotten worse. It's time to try a different approach.

This position makes no sense. The fight could be fought a lot better but the idea of something being so horrible that we should just give up and maybe it will get better, well, that's why I ask if you are female.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Damn. Homosexuals don't bother me in the least, except for when this kind of thing goes on. What is it with picklesniffers and public restrooms, rest stops, and certain public parks?

They've really got to start policing their own community.