The Enterprise, a Boston newspaper, recently published a story about local sex parties that have been receiving added attention. It seems that swinger parties in Boston area are being "looked" at due to a former local Crime Watch Leader who made headlines last month because he held all male-orgies at his home in an area of Boston called Brockton. He was the victim of a hate crime -- local bigots spray-painted something derogatory on the side of his house. That, along with the fact that he was having all male sex parties in his home, brought in the media. The article also reported that a gentlemen by the name of Ed Hennessy, who attended his first swing party 25 years ago, is now running one of the oldest "swinger" clubs and also hosts partner-swapping sex parties throughout that region. Hennessy is one of a growing number of people who host private sex parties at home, hotels or clubs, catering to a variety of sexual interests and preferences. Hennessy told the interviewer that parties could be held in any community. "With the Internet, there are so many parties out there," said Hennessy.
Sex parties and clubs that could be found in that area ranged from all male orgies, like the one in Brockton, to paddling clubs, to straight swap parties in private homes. A local psychologist who has counseled people who attend these parties said, "They are everywhere." Several other sources said that people who frequent these parties can be laborers or doctors, married or single, gay men, lesbians, straight individuals or couples. Many people in the communities, including the police often do not know that these parties are going on. The article also mentioned that online ads could be found listed and online, for the entire area, for heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual group sex parties.
Apparently the local police launched an investigation a few years ago into a swinger group in a township called Raynham (not far from Brockton), but quickly learned that they were not doing anything illegal. They wanted to know if minors or "kiddie" porn were involved. Another swinger, who only identified himself as "John" said most home parties are just like any other party -- except for the sex. The reason why people go to the private parties can vary. They said some are curious, others are looking for a diversion, and others are just looking for sex without emotional ties.
Mainstream America has varied views of swinging and the lifestyle. Depending on where you live or whom you live by, most people don't care what you do behind closed doors and they mind their own business, but that also depends on what part of the country you live in. California, for example, is a very liberal state. Swing parties and swing clubs activity would probably not interest anyone here as long as it doesn't interfere with their way of life. But in areas like the rural south and Boston it is a whole different story. The fact that this story made headlines indicates what sort of issues surface if the wrong people find out how some people spend their personal time. Remember, a man whose civil rights were violated because someone spray-painted a hateful message on his house is what sparked this whole story in the first place. Instead of the media directing their attention to the actual crime, they preferred to and choose to exploit his private sex parties. Why? Because sex sells!
The article stated nothing about why the Raynham swinger group was investigated by the police. Was there a warrant issued? Was there a complaint? Or did the police just decide to go to a party in progress and start investigating? Why are we reading stories like this today, in the 21st century? Those of us who participate in alternative lifestyles have every right to do so - we are adults, we are of legal age. Doesn't it make you wonder why people think having sex is so bad? With the high rate of infidelity and divorce, you would think that having sex in a controlled, open and private setting, with other consenting adults is far better than sneaking around or cheating on your partner. But no, some people are trying to make it a crime. It's only sex, so just what is the problem?
