San Francisco, a city known for advocating gay rights and sexual expression, has taken a significant step by approving a new gay bathhouse. The last such venue closed during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. The San Francisco Planning Commission granted permits for Sanctum Baths, a modern bathhouse and adult sex venue. This facility will be housed in a two-story building in The Hub neighborhood, adjacent to the historical Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District.
The decision follows the 2020 repeal of San Francisco’s ban on bathhouses, which was initially enacted to curb the spread of AIDS. Reportedly, during the early 1980s, the city hosted as many as 20 bathhouses, welcoming up to 12,000 patrons monthly. These venues provided safe spaces for sexual interactions away from law enforcement harassment and became symbols of the gay liberation movement in the 1970s.
With advancements in HIV and AIDS treatments significantly reducing transmission and severity, attitudes towards such social spaces have shifted. Cities like Minneapolis and San Diego have also eased similar restrictions recently. Jonathan Ohene, a local business owner, emphasized the cultural importance of reintroducing bathhouses, noting it as a crucial healing step for the gay community.
The Sanctum Baths project aims to open by the end of next year, marking a new chapter in San Francisco’s LGBTQ history.
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