The Bathhouse

Testing solutions in the bathhouse, Club Pittsburgh, are almost a necessity as well.  This bathhouse fuels the desires for nearly all men who have sex with men (MSM) in Pittsburgh. It is centrally located within the city, allowing for easy access and consistent attendance. In addition, the bus system in Pittsburgh, the Port Authority, runs from nearly any area in Pittsburgh right to the front steps of this downtown bathhouse4. Lying only 10 minutes or less away from the Northside, this bathhouse is likely to be serving the “down-low” population of African Americans in this area. The problem with this kind of a “down-low” population is that it leaves possible wives or girlfriends at risk for HIV as well. These kinds of risks are hard to identify because the African American community is fairly tight-knight and relies heavily on religious and family values therefore masking homosexuality as a sin against god, or an unaccepted form of relation5. In order to address the “down-low” problem in this community, one must look to the bathhouse for solutions. Prevention techniques in this sexual setting, can lead to safer sex techniques when these “down-low” MSM return back to their families. By setting up HIV testing between 1 and 4 in the morning on weekends, this bathhouse can still provide satisfaction for “down-low” MSM while helping to prevent infection to their wives. This hour schedule would prove best due to the fact that MSM tend to roam late at night, when attendance at sex clubs and adult places is highest6.

  http://www.clubpittsburgh.com/