Virgin Active, one of the largest chain of health clubs in the U.K., is facing criticism after it sent a threatening email directed at its gay members.
Members of the Virgin Active gym in Barbican, London received an email earlier this month warning them that “reports of incidents linked to individuals’ inappropriate behaviour, specific to the male locker room facilities” had resulted the gym employing undercover cops “to address and investigate any criminal behaviour.”
Related: Man sounds alarm on serious problem plaguing locker rooms: Male nudity
Apparently, guys were hooking up in the showers so much that the men’s locker room has been nicknamed “the wank tank.”
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“Going forward please be advised that undercover police officers will be present in the male locker room and they will take any appropriate action should the need arise,” the cryptic email read.
But London Police quickly called the gym’s bluff, saying no such arrangements were ever made between the department and the gym and that Virgin Active was lying to its members.
“We have not put undercover officers into the changing rooms of this gym, or any other gym in the City,” a spokesperson told Buzzfeed.
The spokesperson added, “We became aware of this email sent out to members by Virgin and have asked them to issue a correction, which I believe they are going to do imminently.”
Related: These Locker Room Confessions Will Make You Renew That Gym Membership…Or Cancel It
“It’s disgraceful that they lied, and undermines any reassurance they have given as being supportive of the LGBT community,” member Max Pemberton tells Buzzfeed, adding that the gym’s threats harken back to “1950s honey traps in men’s toilets all over again, when they targeted gays in a homophobic clampdown.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Virgin Active chalked the whole thing up to “a miscommunication between Virgin Active and the City Of London Police which has now been clarified.”
A “miscommunication.” Riiiight.
Related: This guy’s response to homophobic straight dudes in the locker room is priceless
Bob LaBlah
I was a twenty year member of Ballys before it closed not too long ago. I remember the things I saw in the steam and sauna areas that had me feeling it would only be a matter of time before the NYPD would be walking people out in handcuffs. The members themselves caused that environment. Things got so bad at the Bally’s on 32nd street the steam room in the mens locker room had to close and everyone had to use the one down by the pool. Sometimes we do cause gym management to take extreme measures such as this and actually having the staff open the door and peak in from time to time. Sad but true.
RIGay
I worked as an instructor at a Bally’s in New England back in the day, and I saw a lot going on in the sauna and showers. Every now and then, management would “clean the place up”, but a few weeks later, and the festivities would get going again. I cannot say I ever partook of the such interactions, but the visuals were always interesting to watch. The chain closed up in this region in the late 90’s.
I workout at a local Crunch fitness these days – there is no shenanigans going on there. The locker room is used more as a member storage than an avenue to hook up, and it is heavily monitored by management. Everything is pretty well open and well lit (no nooks and cubbies to make out in); not that I am looking, mind you. I just remember how the Bally’s sauna and showers were really conducive to private entertainment with all kinds of twists, turns and partitions to get to point B.
Bob LaBlah
I’ve heard it rumored that the reason why the instructors do not accompany new members into the locker rooms on their first day at the gym is because its best not to be with the guest in the event they walk up on a sex act and then have to scold the members for doing so in front of some one whom they are trying to get to fork out over one thousand dollars to join. I saw guys sitting in the steam room with attire suited for a bathhouse instead of a gym and look at you as though you were the one crazy. I mean really. A cok ring on your you know what and you’re wondering why people are looking at you or turning around and leaving once they see it? I kid you not. That just how bold and bewildered some of them would get. Imagine not having a clue that strait people or even gay people do not care for that type of foolishness but they, the perpetrators get offended.
James
You poor thing. It must have been so traumatic for you to think gay men were having sex without benefit of clergy.
BryceWalker1322
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rustyiam
Life was more fun before the uptight SJW crowd got their panties all up in a twist!
Cam
Interesting. This screename has NEVER attacked anti-LGBTQ bigots.
Juanjo
Even for you, that comment sets a record for delusion.
Rex Huskey
SJW??
djmcgamester
What do SJWs have to do with this? What I’m hearing is that you can’t be bothered to meet someplace acceptable. It sounds like you feel as though you can do anything you want, anywhere you want, and screw the bystanders. There’s a pool at my gym. People their kids to use it. I’d be horrified if my kid walked by the sauna and saw two guys having sex.
This is not about SJW. It’s not about nudity. It’s about sex. I don’t think pre-teens need to be exposed to it. Get off your high horse and thing about something besides you c@ck.
truthseeker
They should crack down on this stuff. When I go to the gym, I’m there to work out. I don’t want to be creeped out in the locker room from guys throwing unwanted signals my way or doing perverted things
Rock-N-RollHS
Oh, look, it’s the priest from Harold & Maude again! Clutch those pearls and scrub those dirty naughty parts! Ah, the self-loathing must be lovely!!
Rex Huskey
agree.
truthseeker
@Rock n roll
Huh? What self loathing and pearl clutching are you talking about? Go screw in your house, a hotel, a bath house, an Air BnB, or somewhere else. Not in the locker room
DarkZephyr
While I agree that its absurd in the year 2019 to need to use gym locker rooms for hookups, I definitely do not agree with you that gay sex is “perverted”. That is the kind of thing homophobic religious whack jobs like to say.
CurtisIsTheOne
And guess what, truthseeker? No one if forcing you to watch or participate, right. So go about YOUR business, girlfriend. Unless your business happens to be getting creeped out by male nudity. What’s next? Forcing guys to shower in Speedos? Get a grip. It might make you happy. Or better yet, get laid. “And the world will be a better place…for Me for YOU. Just wait and SEE” Put a huge huge DICK in your hands”. /|\
truthseeker
@DarkZephyr
I never said “gay sex is perverted”. I meant having sex out in the open in public places is perverted. I don’t care if you’re gay, straight, bi, whatever, if you’re sucking and screwing in a public place like a locker room, back of a department store, a dog park, etc. then I don’t want to see it and I’m sure everyone else using that public space for its intended purpose doesn’t want to see it either.
@CurtisIsTheOne
Nice way of misconstruing everything I said. I never said people can’t change or be naked in a locker room. I don’t want to come in the locker room after a hard weight session and see some bear looking guy on his knees with a guy’s meat in his mouth staring at me when I walk in. You’re best reply to all of that is “DoN’t LoOk tHeN yOu BiGot”. Yeah, sure, Jan
CurtisIsTheOne
@Truthseeker I AGREE with you that public sex is, at the least, disconcerting. But you might want to start with the only thing you CAN control and that is your attitude about being creeped out. I like how your picture of someone having sex is seeing “some bear licking guy on his knees with some guy’s meat in his mouth.” Makes one wonder if you’d be more comfortable with some muscular twink doing the fellating? I bet you WOULD.
James
YOU’RE NOT EVEN GAY. YOU’RE JUST SOMEONE WHO COMES HERE TO TRASH GAY PEOPLE. I HAVE SEEN YOUR POSTS…… YOU NEVER EVER HAVE ONE POSITIVE THING TO SAY ABOUT GAY PEOPLE……. ALWAYS HOW WRONG THEY ARE…. HOW HORRIBLE THEY ARE. GO BACK TO YOUR STUPID TRUMP DUMP AND GET LOST.
ShiningSex
HAVING SEX IN PUBLIC PLACES LIKE THAT IS GROSS. IT’S JUST A PLACE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISEASES TO GET AWAY WITH ANONYMOUS SEX AND SPREADING DISEASES. GAY MEN NEED TO HAVE MORE RESPECT FOR THEMSELVES.
rustyiam
People can’t look at you? Oh brother!
Josh447
No NOONE I’ve ever seen at gyms had sex in the locker room. They have sex in the sauna. Maybe MAYBE on rare occasion the showers.
And the sexually sick who think they can stop human nature, get over it, you’re screwed up in the head. Love is love and sex is sex it can happen ANYWHERE, does, and always will.
Brian
“after it sent a threatening email directed at its gay members”
Well yeah, who else would it be directed at? I’m pretty sure guys eating pussssy in the men’s locker room isn’t a problem that the gym is having.
The tone of this and yesterday’s similar article are ridiculous. Queerty really wants to take the position that gay men are being unfairly targeted by people trying to stop an illegal activity that is done almost exclusively by gay men?
Clearly they’re not being as discreet as they think they are if it’s considered enough of a problem that they feel the need to crack down on it. And whether you like doing this stuff or not, we all know that it’s not legal and not something unwitting people should have to be exposed to. For some, that’s the exact thing that makes it appealing in the first place.
But sure, let’s have “THE GYM LIED!!!” be the wrong part and not the fact that guys are blowing jizz all over their facilities or littering parks with used condoms and wrappers. Because that lie is obviously so much worse.
On the bright side, they’ll probably now get actual undercover cops in there and make some arrests, or at least a security guard who can make a big, humiliating production of kicking out guys her catches. And certainly that is a win for the people complaining about the lie, right? Be careful what you wish for.
Rex Huskey
agree
Josh447
I’ve seen separate showers replace communal showers over the years, but the action always seemed to be in stream rooms. Very sexy. I’m sure straights would have the same fun if they had the chance.
ShiningSex
HAVING SEX IN PUBLIC PLACES LIKE THAT IS GROSS. IT’S JUST A PLACE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISEASES TO GET AWAY WITH ANONYMOUS SEX AND SPREADING DISEASES. GAY MEN NEED TO HAVE MORE RESPECT FOR THEMSELVES.
MISTERJETT
at least that warned members that there would be undercover cops there. most places wouldn’t do that. like they say, “forewarned is forearmed”.
LilMesican
When I was younger I wanted to get involved in a little sauna/shower/locker room hook-up. It never happened. I did go home with some guys. I was too scared that I would be the one they busted!!!
Still had fun, oh yeah, and I worked out too!
ShiningSex
HAVING SEX IN PUBLIC PLACES LIKE THAT IS GROSS. IT’S JUST A PLACE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISEASES TO GET AWAY WITH ANONYMOUS SEX AND SPREADING DISEASES. GAY MEN NEED TO HAVE MORE RESPECT FOR THEMSELVES.
Rock-N-RollHS
Oh, please, that crap has never bothered me. I’ve participated when guy is hot; otherwise, tune it out.
Rex Huskey
hair flick eh?….. you are the disgusting vapid queer phenotype. you do not represent me
Brian
Well yeah, but you’re gay. It bothers the straight guys that are there.
CurtisIsTheOne
Huskey. Go back to your dog cage and lick your balls.
James
HUSKEY, JEALOUS MUCH.
ShiningSex
HAVING SEX IN PUBLIC PLACES LIKE THAT IS GROSS. IT’S JUST A PLACE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISEASES TO GET AWAY WITH ANONYMOUS SEX AND SPREADING DISEASES. GAY MEN NEED TO HAVE MORE RESPECT FOR THEMSELVES.
liltomtom90
Go hook up somewhere else… not everyone wants to see that… there’s so many apps for hookup now that it’s easy to find someone and do it at home.
James
YOU STAY HOME. WHO CARES WHAT YOU THINK. YOU STILL THINK IT IS 1952.
ShiningSex
@James, how trashy it is to have sex in a public place like that. it’s not a gym. It’s a sex club. it’s a bath house. call it what it is. it’s also trashy. it’s not being a prude. it’s having self respect to not take part in the spread of diseases which i’m sure is happening a lot. there’s a reason bath houses were closed, but now they seem to be acceptable by trashy people.
CurtisIsTheOne
Instead of ALL you prudes getting upset that men are having sex while you’re showering or getting dressed in the locker room, try smiling and enjoying the scenery. If you don’t like what you see, DON’T LOOK. It’s time to stop thinking about sex as some dirty or perverse deed and adopt a more sex positive attitude. Sure, it is distracting, but so are guys with a big bulge in their Speedos. You can look and NOT touch OR….
ShiningSex
HAVING SEX IN PUBLIC PLACES LIKE THAT IS GROSS. IT’S JUST A PLACE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISEASES TO GET AWAY WITH ANONYMOUS SEX AND SPREADING DISEASES. GAY MEN NEED TO HAVE MORE RESPECT FOR THEMSELVES.
Brian
How self absorbed do you have to be to think that it’s other people’s problem when you’re having sex in public. I guess the mom who now has to explain anal sex to her 8 year old after stumbling across a couple of guys in the park is just being a prude too?
Josh447
Shiningsex get a life you over homogenized sexless dweeb.
Dick Gozinia
My gym is Lifetime Athletic and the Men’s locker room has no private places where people could ‘hook up’ or engage in any other sexual behavior, without being seen by all the other members. It is such a ‘chaste’ environment it seems deliberate. In fact, if you ever see anyone naked (and that’s rare) it is visitor or newcomer who doesn’t know that we are a Puritan gym.
Kangol2
Clever name!
Esscourt
SJW—Sarah Jessica Warker
ShiningSex
IF YOU’RE HAVING SEX IN A PUBLIC PLACE THEN YOU DESERVE TO BE ARRESTED. BATH HOUSES ARE GROSS AND ARE JUST SPREADING DISEASES. THEY SHOULD HAVE STAYED CLOSED. ANYONE WHO GOES TO THEM ARE REALLY TRASHY.
Brian
You know what else is trashy? Copying and pasting the same response 10 times in the comments and typing in all caps.
justyouandi
After not having gone to the gym for a few years I started up again and found that everything had changed. Individual showers with doors had replaced the shower room. There were signs up in the men’s locker room that everyone had to wear a bathing suit while in the jacuzzi and saunas (which were located in the men’s locker room area). And the young men were dressing and undressing while covered with a towel! WTF? It was the old guys who were letting it all hang out.
What happened?
baggins435
What happened is that the current generations grew up being offended and “triggered” at male nudity so they no longer make middle and high school kids shower after gym class. I grew up with gang showers in jr high, high school and even the college dorms. Dad’s high school had an indoor pool under the gym floor which retracted into the wall. Boys swam naked because suits weren’t allowed in the pool. The girls swam on different days from the boys. Even the competitions were held naked back then, and I mean the late ’40s early ’50s.
My nieces and nephew say they don’t even have to change into gym clothes in gym class if a parent sends a note, and if they do they go into a toilet stall. It’s almost funny that people assume the elderly are more prudish than young people, but that’s not always the case.
GymMan456
I now use the sauna everyday, and its the middle eastern people who shows up in the sauna with big baggy shorts, they often even shower with underwear, but also, the younger are more prudish than the elder.
To use the sauna for hook up must be fair, that doesn’t mean sex in anyway.
I really like the social culture here, people are always speaking with each other. I even got in debate with a south african Julius Malema supporter. I was so surprised how diplomatic i could get.
Kok ring in the sauna? You might regret that fast.
Matthewnow
They should crack down. It’s a filthy, disgusting thing to do. Why can’t “straight” men have sex in the confessional like God intended.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Public cruising and hooks are mostly thing of the past due to apps. Think it’s more for those who get a thrill out of the chance of someone walking in now. Or closeted guys ascared of going online…
Hooking up now is kinda like looking at a take out menu. You see a dish you are interested in trying and pretty soon it’s at your door..:-p
Bob LaBlah
“Hooking up now is kinda like looking at a take out menu. You see a dish you are interested in trying and pretty soon it’s at your door..:-p”
Based on the number of articles on here where people were claiming racism on hookup sites I dont think that applies to everyone.
JoshGL
“should the need arise”
Clearly, it does.