The first phase, from 1988 to 1991, assessed the effect of DHH risk-reduction programs on the behavior of gay men research showed a substantial decrease in anal intercourse with onetime and occasional partners. David Cohn, the director of disease-control services for the Denver Department of Health and Hospitals, says his research indicates that efforts to alter the dangerous behavior of the two groups at highest risk-gays and intravenous drug users-have succeeded.Ĭohn is just wrapping up the second phase of a study funded by the CDC Denver was one of only five cities chosen for the project. Unsafe sexual activities are defined as those "which are likely to result in the transmission of through the exchange of body fluids: anal intercourse without the use of a condom.fellatio, and anilingus." The regulations authorize DHH to close establishments for up to ten days if they pose "an imminent threat to the health and safety of the patrons" through repeated violations of the rules.ĭr.
![denver gay bar unprotected sex denver gay bar unprotected sex](https://media.9news.com/assets/generic/images/watchReplay/watchReplay_1920x1080.jpg)
And "all activities or recreational areas in regulated establishments shall have an observation window or opening which permits complete viewing of the interior at all times," the rules state. The regulations required that owners and operators take "reasonable steps" to prohibit unsafe sexual activities such as: prominently posting signs describing the risks and methods of transmitting HIV and listing unsafe sexual activities monitoring compliance and expelling patrons who engage in unsafe sexual activities and making available to patrons a pamphlet containing AIDS prevention information.
DENVER GAY BAR UNPROTECTED SEX MOVIE
And stories such as Almos's are becoming more common in the gay community.įollowing the identification of the human immunodeficiency virus, which causes AIDS, and the 1984 conclusion that it is sexually transmitted, most urban areas with large gay populations passed rules that either closed or regulated establishments known for their homosexual activities.ĭenver's Department of Health and Hospitals approved regulations in February 1986 governing such establishments "where public health officials have reason to believe that unsafe sexual activities take place, including, but not limited to: bathhouses, adult bookstores, adult movie theaters, hot tub and spa establishments, and massage parlors." But health officials acknowledge that hard statistics often lag behind anecdotal evidence. Last week National Public Radio, broadcasting from San Francisco, aired interviews with young gays who acknowledge they're engaging in unsafe sex and defend it as their right.ĭenver surveys don't yet reflect the trend. Researchers and gay leaders both locally and nationally are worried that the younger generation of homosexual males is lapsing into the dangerous sexual practices of the past.Īccording to Tom Skinner of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, although the overall infection rate for gays is still decreasing, there's growing evidence that younger men are placing themselves at risk. More often than not, his prospective lovers would neither use a condom nor ask him to put one on. Or I would get to the point of penetration without the obvious delay to put on a condom to see if they would stop me." "I'd make sure that condoms were easily seen and available and wait to see if would use them. "I would go into a room and lay down butt up," he says.
DENVER GAY BAR UNPROTECTED SEX SERIES
Curious about the rise in unsafe sex, he says he conducted his own series of experiments at San Diego bathhouses, which are among the worst offenders. Today he would never consider having sex without a condom, and says he doesn't understand the mentality of those who do. Now 45, Almos was in the front lines of the sexual revolution, and even worked at the infamous St. And everywhere he goes, Almos is troubled by the increasing number of men having sex without condoms. At each stop, he looks for gay establishments such as the Swim Club where he can find sex for the asking. Since testing positive for AIDS in 1991, Almos has been on permanent disability and spends his days traveling around the world. "Several people have complained that you're exhibiting unsafe sexual practices," the attendant said, asking the men to leave-and confiscating their bathhouse membership cards in the process. The attendant walked back to the steam room and approached the two men, both of whom appeared to be in their early twenties. It wasn't the sex he objected to it was their failure to use condoms.
![denver gay bar unprotected sex denver gay bar unprotected sex](https://irs0.4sqi.net/img/general/width960/6770960_JjI5_U8gf5ec_fWxkZJ4eSY6jLYoZgjrC_CjrCvx5Xs.jpg)
Two guys in the steam room were having anal sex, and he wanted them stopped. Ken Almos spoke quietly to the front-desk attendant at the Denver Swim Club, a gay bathhouse on Colfax.