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Guliani had nothing to do with most of the eradication of the sex stores in Times Square. Blame technology. The VCR, and later the Internet, pretty much made destoyed the porn places because with them everyone could watch porn in the privacy of their own home. Sex shops are now scattered around the city, however, and generally more low key because its mostly "take-out" so to speak.
THe only place I visited back then that reminded me a bit of Times Square was downtown Boston. Washington St, the main drag in their entertainment district was a seedy flesh-peddling s**t hole so bad it was known as The Combat Zone.
Also, the evictions of 42nd Street street sleaze started under the Dinkins Administration in 1992.
20 years ago it was pretty much dying out and not what it used to be. You have to go back to the 70's & 80's for the prime sleaze eras.
What was amazing about the early 90's was just before they started the "transformation". They shuttered just about all of the sex shops on 42nd between 7th & 8th (there were still plenty on 8th Ave), and that block was basically deserted with virtually no stores on it. You'd walk down the block and it would be dark and pretty vacant. Amazing how different it is now where you can barely walk there are so many people and it is bright as day at all times.
20 years ago it was pretty much dying out and not what it used to be. You have to go back to the 70's & 80's for the prime sleaze eras.
What was amazing about the early 90's was just before they started the "transformation". They shuttered just about all of the sex shops on 42nd between 7th & 8th (there were still plenty on 8th Ave), and that block was basically deserted with virtually no stores on it. You'd walk down the block and it would be dark and pretty vacant. Amazing how different it is now where you can barely walk there are so many people and it is bright as day at all times.
There was also an art project in 1993 or something sponsored by Creative Time were they put some Truisms on the marques of the empty theaters.
Well, the crucial thing is that once upon a time, Broadway theater was totally affordable, by anyone! And people used to even wear wear nice clothes to go to the theater!
TIMES SQUARE 20 years ago wasn't vastly different from today.
TIMES SQUARE 40 year ago WAS.
Lot's of movie houses and legitimate theaters converted to all night soft core porn theaters. The late night streets were filled with seedy prostitutes and ggood looking multi racial hustlers.
Lots of corners with whispers of "good weed" and up the ladder of choices.
Area was filled with good bars where you could get a great pastrami sandwich for $4.
1972 was a LOT more interesting than 1992.
Now it's Japanese and German tourists taking pictures of the glitzy McDonald's and Madame Toussaud's (can you IMAGINE!) And a stock market ticker in 4 million LED's...yecch!
How was TS as far as "gay?" Did the gays go there looking for the "minnesota" hustler? Would it be a place to hang around at night and laugh and joke with your "girls?" Any story you can share would be greatly appreciated.
All the guys were there for only one purpose...to connect with a hustler or to connect with drugs,
There were a couple bars on Eighth Ave whose ONLY function was hustler sex, they were the higher class, read BREATHTAKING types (perhaps new from Minnesota??)
Owned by the Mafia, natch, and thereby safe from police and political harassment (heavy bribery, natch.)
It was never my ouvre, being quite good enough looking to get my own all for free and then several more, so I preferred the West Village.
All the guys were there for only one purpose...to connect with a hustler or to connect with drugs,
There were a couple bars on Eighth Ave whose ONLY function was hustler sex, they were the higher class, read BREATHTAKING types (perhaps new from Minnesota??)
Owned by the Mafia, natch, and thereby safe from police and political harassment (heavy bribery, natch.)
It was never my ouvre, being quite good enough looking to get my own all for free and then several more, so I preferred the West Village.
My biggest relief: I am HIV negative.
Yes to make it through the 70s/80s and still be able to say that.
Either lucky, lonely or latched on to someone
LUCKY...with 1000 men under my belt, and yes, quite latched for 30-something years. Never a single lonely moment.
So yes, I've been blessed...and carefully careless.
Such times will never come again.
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