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.

[yendu bwam]

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

It's no joke. I brought my sons into a public restroom on the NY Thruway, and had to back out fast. This is a sure indicator of the decline of morality in our nation. It's an abuse of my rights and these people should be arrested and punished.

[stands2reason]

I tried, but I couldn't get myself past the first page.

[stands2reason]

Hate that verse, doncha?

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

I didn't realize how gross the site had gotten. I apologize for the graphics, but I did research on my area, and my friend's health club is on there, along with several mall and college restrooms. I need to start warning some of my friends.

Matter of fact, 2 restrooms in city offices were also highly rated!!!

[stands2reason]

I guess noothing is immoral until the government makes it illegal...do you think fornication should be made illegal? It hurts people, too. If not, then by your logic, you must be for it...

[stands2reason]

Forgive my last post. I meant it towards biblewonk.

[stands2reason]

I'm not assuming the worst of you but I'm still really struggling with the idea of being a Libertarian and a Christian.

This may help. God isn't government.

[biblewonk]

I guess noothing is immoral until the government makes it illegal...do you think fornication should be made illegal? It hurts people, too. If not, then by your logic, you must be for it...

I wish this made more sense, then I could respond to it. Why did the government make prostitution illegal in the first place? How do countries that are legalizing it feel about the bible today?

[biblewonk]

This may help. God isn't government.

It doesn't. Are you another one of those "Libertarian Christians"?

[cherry]

"JJ was a drug addict -- homosexual too ! He would use rape for punishment !"

is that true?..where did you ever hear or read that?

[RushLake]

what is it with gay men and public bathrooms???

I think it is that they are attempting to redefine how the rest of society views what is "normal" behavior thus enabling them to advance their agenda. I believe that their agenda is to advance homosexual behavior via means such as making pedophilia seem normal. The younger the recruit, the better. If the son that walked in with his father can become inured to this crap overtime, it will help make it acceptable to people other than hollywood, soccer mommies, and the left in general.

[RichInOC]

Elton John lyrics? You're evil.

[habs4ever]

Oh my goodness, that is quite a opening page! Gee, most sites wait until you are well in before showing such graphic pics! Those boys' mothers must be very proud of their modelling careers ;-)

[bvw]

Big difference between Mayor Street and Mayor Rendell. Rendell would have just ignored this, maybe even made some joke about it at some homosexual group banquet.

[new cruelty]

LOL, I'm in an Elton sort of mood today I guess...

Goodbye Experiment 273

[f.Christian]

It was very well known -- possibly in the movie even.

I read a frightening account in a Christian publication of an early account of an encounter with the young jj. When he was just starting out in Indianapolis in the 60's very successfully in an inner city church another local minister made a visit with him. During their meeting jj explained how sheoples need a father figure to lead them -- he heard enough and wanted to leave and jj asked if they could pray together 1st .. ... .. before he knew it he was kneeling on the floor and the room filled with his cronies and his brain // soul was being sucked out of him. He had to recite the Lord's prayer to maintain his composure -- -- -- scary // evil !

[eno_]

You are quite right. Strawbridges has the right to get this stopped. But some people here post as if busting pickle parks is more important than busting burglars, muggers, car theives, etc. It isn't, and until cops with as big a budget as the Philly PD figure out how to use their resources effectively, having them chase after whatever somebody thinks is icky, is counterproductive.

[stands2reason]

I'm neither Christian nor libertarian.

[stands2reason]

I'll repeat it slower for you. Do...you...think...fornication...should...be...illegal? Why or Why not?

[stands2reason]

But some people here post as if busting pickle parks is more important than busting burglars, muggers, car theives, etc.

Bulls#!t.