‘Why I Gave Up Public Sex at the MSP Airport’

In the months since reports surfaced of Sen. Larry Craig’s arrest in a Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport restroom, the media world has buzzed about “wide stances,” restroom stall dividers and the touchy topic of public sex.

I recently listened to one man’s account of engaging in sex in that same restroom in April, just months before Craig’s arrest. “Jeremy” told me about his experience, his reactions to the Craig arrest and his decision to leave the world of bathroom sex behind.

You’ve chosen not to use your real name, and instead simply be named “Jeremy” for this interview. Are you concerned about the consequences of searching for sex in a restroom impacting your life?

I’m not necessarily embarrassed of my activities but prefer to share that info only with people close to me, so I’d rather not use my real name.

How many times have you looked for sex at the airport restroom?

Probably four times over the past five years. I only ever did anything with two people. One worked at the airport. I remember he had an ID around his neck.

Why do it?

There is a definite excitement to it because it’s usually anonymous. There’s no concern over further expectations beyond the sex act, which can be convenient.

What exactly happened when you were in there?

I would never let anyone know that I was interested. I was always too nervous, so someone else would have to make the first move. They would either put their hands under the stall or move their foot closer to mine. Some people would just peer over the stall door. I’ve also seen people going into stalls with other people doing stuff. I’ve heard people doing stuff in the stalls next to me.

Were you worried about being arrested at the time?

There’s very much an assumption that there can always be decoys. According to my sources, different websites, they weren’t aware of anyone being busted. In the comments [of the website] they’ll say that there have been busts lately.

How did you feel when you heard of Sen. Larry Craig’s arrest in that same restroom?

It kind of freaked me out because I had went to that bathroom and had done something with someone like three months beforehand. It made me feel lucky that I never got caught and it [being arrested] doesn’t seem like something I would want to experience. It was a wakeup call because the chance is there and it’s fine if people feel comfortable taking that chance but I don’t anymore. And I wouldn’t want to be known for that because it’s not something I often did.

Do you think you saw Sen. Larry Craig in there?

Probably not, but I’ve seen old hands come under the stall before, so who knows?

Is cruising in the restroom something you’ll do again after the revelations about Senator Craig?

Well, there has been too much exposure to it and it did have an impact, because the general public is so much more aware of that activity that can occur. And I feel like I’m in a different place in my life where I’d rather not do that anymore.

Do you have sympathy for Larry Craig?

I don’t feel sorry for him simply because he’s in Congress and is part of the lawmaking process against this and should be upholding the law. I guess if he were just a closeted man I might feel some compassion because he is struggling with it.

How would you defend your action to those who find what you did wrong?

It’s hard to defend. I think it’s not wrong. By that I mean legally wrong. I tend to think I’m an open-minded person. If that’s the only way someone feels comfortable being intimate with somebody, I mean they’re both consenting adults. It’s kept as private as it can be. Most of these people are not out. They are not trying to expose themselves to children or people who don’t want to see it, or anything like that.

And what about the “Ick Factor” of having sex in a bathroom?

It’s not the most ideal place because of that but it does lend itself to that kind of thing. It’s an all male environment with a level of exposure.

Any advice for anyone reading this interview?

The smartest thing, if you meet someone interesting in that environment, take it somewhere else.

Photo via cw3283