Self-Policing of Bathhouses for ‘High-Risk’ Behavior Proposed

Owners of gay bathhouses would be required to monitor activity in their establishments and throw out anyone engaging in “high-risk” sexual behavior that could lead to AIDS under guidelines proposed Tuesday by the county’s chief health officer.

The self-policing guidelines also would require that all areas within about 16 bathhouses operating in Los Angeles County be illuminated and that owners maintain a daily log of high-risk violations.

Health Services Director Robert Gates said the proposed guidelines were borrowed from efforts in New York and San Francisco to curb high-risk activity that has been linked to the spread of AIDS. Gates added that some adult bookstores and theaters, still to be identified, also might be required to follow the guidelines if it is determined that they either permit or encourage the behavior.

Gates presented the proposals to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, but asked for another week to finalize for bathhouse owners what health professionals consider “high-risk sexual activities.” As currently proposed, the prohibited activities include oral or anal intercourse, with or without a condom.

While the guidelines propose self-policing, Gates said his department would spot-check the bathhouses to ensure compliance. Repeated violations could lead to legal efforts to shut down individual bathhouses for non-compliance with health codes, Gates said.

Specifically, the proposed guidelines would require bathhouse owners to designate people “for the exclusive purpose of observing activity on the premises.”