April 22, 2008 | Sex & Society

City fails attempt to shut down gay gym

The 14th Street Gym, a Salt Lake City fitness center catering to gay men, will not be closed down by the City. The Utah Court of Appeals ruled on April 10 that the city was overstepping its authority when it tried to shut down the gym after undercover cops arrested two men for having oral sex in the steam room.

The city had warned the gym 8 years ago that there were reports of "illicit sexual activity" on the premises that needed to be dealt with. The gym agreed to hire additional staff at the time to "monitor the premises and guard against improper conduct."

In the years following, undercover officers cited the gym for "various incidents of lewd conduct including masturbation and oral sex." In 2005, at an administrative hearing, the City suspended the gym's licence for 90 days and put it on probation for an additional 270 days.  [more]

In 2006, during the probation period,  two other men were spotted sucking each other off and the City moved to permanently close the busines. The gym lost its license in March 2006, but was given the chance to re-apply one year later. The gym appealed the decision.

Judge William A. Thorne found that because there was no proof that staff members were aware two men were having oral sex in the steam room the gym could not be held responsible for it.  In fact, the owner testified that the gym had taken steps to discourage its patrons from engaging in sex.

It's a relief to know that the streets of Salt Lake City are so free of crime that the cops have nothing better to do than patrol a gay gym's steam room ...