One of the most powerful men in NYC's gay nightlife scene faces over a decade of sexual misconduct allegations

NBC News ^ | Aug 25, 2022 | Matt Lavietes

[fwdude]

Michael J. Cohen, one of the most prominent figures in New York’s gay nightlife scene, has long reigned as a gatekeeper for young queer men looking to attend exclusive parties and clubs. He now faces a range of sexual misconduct allegations — including accusations that he groped or pressured men to have sex or send nude photos, as well as a claim of sexual assault — from members of that same community, according to nine people who told NBC News about their experiences over the past decade.

In 2015, Charles Battersby, then 19, was elated when Cohen offered to introduce him to other gay college students at the weekly parties Cohen hosted at the nightclub Goldbar, Battersby said. But once Battersby was inside, he said, Cohen repeatedly groped his genitals and buttocks throughout the evening. Cohen continued to touch Battersby without his consent at future parties, Battersby alleged, but he eventually decided to endure this behavior because he saw it as the price of admission.

[fwdude]

Besides the obvious lasciviousness of this world view, could it be that the media is finally beginning to turn on their pet mascot group in favor of other convenient victims? This article would NEVER have been published in the years leading up to the marriage redefinition Supreme Court ruling in 2015.

[metmom]

What a surprise......

[fwdude]

From the article:

Six of the nine accusers said that because they were newly out of the closet and didn’t know many queer people when the encounters occurred, they presumed that the incidents were normal within the gay community, even though they were upset by them at the time.

They weren't incorrect.

[Panzerfaust]

Hey at least he didn’t give them monkeypox, or worse yet, COVID! (/sarc)

[TnTnTn]

Mentally ill promiscuous predators…

[gloryblaze]

... one of the most prominent figures in New York’s gay nightlife scene ...

What a claim to fame!

[allendale]

Did you expect to find Christian, cultured gentlemen devoted to family, career and a country among the gay, epicurean hedonistic, neo pagan community? Wonder how many “voluntary” donations this guy extracted from his pathetic group for the Democratic Party and their candidates. Sure this guy received a variety of different kickbacks as he exercised his power on behalf of his fellow decadent Democrats.

[Ge0ffrey]

So why did he go to “future parties”?

[Menehune56]

https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/michael-cohen-motel-23-new-york-gay-bar-sexual-misconduct-rcna44147

[Saltmeat]

“. one of the most prominent figures in New York’s gay nightlife scene ...

What a claim to fame!”
__________________________________________________________

His mother thought he was a piano player in a high class NYC whore house.

[Blurb2350]

He looks like a slightly younger Harvey Weinstein.

And please remember that noticing patterns is strictly verboten.

[caww]

Her he is.....

[fwdude]

I’ll bet Cohen is “married.”

[WashingtonSource]

You should have said, “Here SHE is.” Or, better yet, “Here IT is.”

[libertylover]

Cohen continued to touch Battersby without his consent at future parties, Battersby alleged, but he eventually decided to endure this behavior because he saw it as the price of admission.

Yes, and Ashley Judd knew the price of admission into Hollywood was to spend time of Harvey Weinstein's couch. Both Battersby and Judd paid price. F*** 'em.

Battersby. Batteredboy would be a better name.

[Reddy]

Kevin Spacey- is that you??

[fwdude]

Thanks. I thought I included the link. I guess the disgust had my sensibilities off.

[fwdude]

So why did he go to “future parties”?

To build a "reputation?"

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

Isn’t what he allegedly did pretty much the job description of “a gatekeeper for young queer men looking to attend exclusive parties and clubs”?

[NativeSon]

he liked it