Tuesday 19 January 2021

The Demise of Clothing Optional Gay Resorts


 


Parliament House
closed on November 3, 2020.

No – not the home of Australia's government, but the infamous gay clothing-optional resort in Orlando, Florida - self-proclaimed as the world's largest gay resort. 

To a worldwide group of mature-age men, this is the passing of legendary history.

Over the last forty-five years, these men flew the world to enjoy resort-style living where they could meet other like-minded, and broad-minded gay men. Their itineraries made sure that at least a few day's stay at these all-gay hotel/motel/resorts would result in the probability of sex 24/7, saving any sleep requirements for the onward plane journey.

These infamous resorts included Hotel Honolulu (Hawaii), Coral Sands Motel (Los Angeles), INNdulge, CCBC or any resort in Warm Springs Drive (Palm Springs), the Trades Hotel (Blackpool, UK), Golden Bear (Amsterdam), Island House (Key West), – and probably the most infamous of all, Parliament House in Florida. The latter offered six bars, drag shows, a theatre, cafĂ©, one hundred and twelve rooms, clothing-optional pool, and men on the prowl for sex – day and night – and where the likes of Cyndi Lauper and Sandra Bernhard entertained.

Such places were melting pots for the world's itinerant gay men. In a world of prejudice, homophobia, and prudery, these were oases where you could be yourself, feel safe, be naked, openly cruise for sex, enjoy conversations with flight attendants, corporate lawyers, or everyday gay men from the four corners of the world. They were insulated worlds where for once you were in the majority, respected and pampered. In Palm Springs, you could watch porn being filmed poolside, in Hawaii live your fantasy in the Bette Davis suite or, in Los Angeles cruise the fully enclosed motel where the doors of the forty suites were rarely closed. They offered queen and king size beds suitable for orgies and intimate sleepovers – no questions asked.

Photos courtesy Tumblr
Some, like the much-lamented Hotel Honolulu, assisted in that pre-internet age by sharing gay information. Their suites all had thick diaries where each occupant could add their comments about friendly restaurants, unsafe cruising areas, cheap clothing outlets, gay bars, rip-off merchants, backrooms, and gay-friendly everything worldwide They were compulsive reading and provided an invaluable service for spreading information throughout the then underground gay world.

And if you were fortunate, you might also meet men who could become life-long friends, several of who continue to enrich my life. Long live the remaining clothing-optional gay resorts!

 

* First published in Australia's Star Observer Gay Newspaper 2020

© Peter Benn 2020

 


Disclaimer: All advice and information given here on this blog is general in nature and non-specific to any individual, couple or group. You are encouraged to seek your own independent professional medical, psychological and counselling advice. No endorsement of unlawful actions is intended or implied  

 

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