Arguments erupt amidst a "TouzeBio" incidence, a non-chemsex oriented gay gathering
In the heart of Paris, on a sweltering Thursday evening in late June, a unique tradition unfolds less than forty-eight hours before the city's Pride march. This tradition, a weekly gay orgy, is a continuation of a historic and contemporary continuum of queer conviviality and sexual celebration rooted in France’s pioneering history of queer visibility and liberation.
The event, though not specifically located, takes place in a property where the atmosphere is hot and humid, with generations mixing and moans echoing throughout the basements. The ground floor, past the aperitif hour, remains crowded on this specific night. Men stand in line at the bar and converse over drinks, while the spirit of the orgy, according to Benoît, a 45-year-old, well-endowed blond man and a participant in the event, is one of sharing and camaraderie.
Basement Level Two houses the main event, where a couple engaged in sexual activity can be found, accessible via slippery, damp stairs. Voyeurs are masturbating around them, accessible via the same slippery stairs. In a dimly lit corner on this level, groups of three to four men are performing oral sex. The atmosphere is charged, with red neon lights casting an intimate glow over the scene.
This week, however, the event deviates from its usual course. Unlike other nights, synthetic drugs have been formally banned at the event. The spirit of the orgy may be affected by this ban and the proximity of the Pride march, according to Benoît.
The diversity of individuals attending the event remains unchanged. The mixing of generations is evident, as the event caters to a broad range of individuals. The weekly schedule of the event remains consistent, with the specific night's atmosphere being influenced by the impending Pride march.
The weekly gay orgies in Paris before Pride marches can be traced back to the flourishing queer circles even at the royal courts such as Versailles in the 17th and 18th centuries. These gatherings often reflect longstanding traditions of queer socializing and sexual freedom expressed in private and semi-private venues. After the French Revolution, homosexuality was decriminalized in 1791, making France one of the first Western countries to not criminalize consensual homosexual acts, which likely contributed to the evolution of more public and private gay social spaces.
In contemporary contexts, weekly gay orgies in sex clubs or apartments are often part of the pre-Pride festive and liberatory culture, enabling queer men to celebrate identity and sexuality in an atmosphere of openness before the formal public marches. These events can be viewed as continuations of grassroots queer social history, reflecting a community ethos of connection, resilience, and sometimes reclaiming spaces for uninhibited sexual expression.
Though detailed ethnographic accounts of such weekly gatherings are scarce in broad historical overviews, French queer literature and oral histories, such as those chronicled in works by writers like Guillaume Dustan, offer raw and uncensored perspectives on the post-AIDS, post-shame eras in Parisian gay culture where these orgiastic gatherings are part of a larger narrative of resilience and vitality connected to artistic, musical, and nightlife scenes.
In summary, the weekly gay orgies in French sex clubs or apartments before Pride marches are part of a historic and contemporary continuum of queer conviviality and sexual celebration rooted in France’s pioneering history of queer visibility and liberation, with norms centered on consent, privacy, and communal joy.
- Amidst the evolving culture of health-and-wellness and lifestyle trends, these weekly gay orgies in Paris serve as a unique blend of sexual-health expression and historical tradition, providing a space for queer individuals to partake in this tradition.
- As the fashion-and-beauty industry continues to advance, these pre-Pride gatherings offer an alternative form of self-expression, where individuals can openly celebrate their identities and sexuality, reflecting a resilient and vibrant queer community.
- The development and continuation of these weekly orgies in Paris are a testament to science and human behavior, showcasing how social norms, liberation movements, and personal connections can shape and evolve over time in the realm of health, sexuality, and community.
