I am scared. I shouldn't be scared. I believe that I have the same rights as anyone else but I am scared. Maybe I will just go ahead and go for it but I really am scared. I am scared to go into the steamroom at the gym.

The thing is that after teaching a couple of classes, I would love to be able to shower and sit in the steamroom for 15 minutes to loosen up, relax my muscles, and calm myself donw. The problem with most steamrooms in NYC is that they feel like one big porn flick waiting to happen. Especially during the evening hours which is when I tend to finish teaching and want to relax a bit.

Now to some of you, this may be a great source of fun. I guess it is a hoot if you are the type of person who enjoys the cruising that goes on in the steamroom. I myself do not find that interesting or appropriate. Even when I was a single, young, virile homosexual, I never enjoyed the "tension" that came with the steamroom.

All the stares and the walking in and out just drives me bonkers. I once tried to use the steamroom at one of the gyms that I teach at. All the walking in and out from steam to sauna and back drove me nuts. The strategic seating arrangements that some members use to show that they are interested in more than steam was not relaxing. The fact that eye contact may have some underlying meaning made me anxious. I ended up a lot more tense than when I had gone in.

Maybe one day, I will just walk in and say, "I am here to relax! If you are looking for someone to have sex with then just say so, get out of the steamroom, take them home, and have a good time." Maybe that will set a precedent. Maybe that will start a new trend. Maybe more people will stand up and reclaim their space in steamrooms across the City. One can dream. Later.  ¶ 10:39 PM