Glory hole (sexual)

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For other uses, see glory hole.

A glory hole is a hole in a wall or other partition, often between public lavatory stalls or video booths for men or women to engage in sexual activity or observe the person in the next cubicle while one or both parties masturbate. The partition maintains anonymity.

The origin of the term is unknown, but may have come from a type of mineshaft or the opening of kilns used in glass blowing. Although both the term and the practice originated in the gay community, in recent years have also been adopted by heterosexual men (see also MSM).

To use a glory hole a man puts his penis through the hole to engage in fellatio, vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse or a handjob. This usually happens in established sex clubs, adult arcades, gay bathhouse, adult theatres, and adult bookstores. Glory holes in normal public lavatories may be either peep holes or established meeting places at which people can engage in anonymous sex.

Due to the fear of arrest or assault, or etiquette, few males will insert their penis in a glory hole without invitation from the person on the other side of the partition. A common signal by a willing participant is to insert one or more fingers in the hole, often accompanied by a beckoning motion.

If practiced unsafely the use of glory holes, like all unsafe sex practices, carries considerable risk of sexually transmitted diseases, especially when participants do not use a condom. Similarly, the person on the "receiving" side of the partition could inflict trauma and bite wounds to the "giver," either accidentally or intentionally. Rough-cut or crudely fashioned glory holes can cause serious lacerations or abrasions to a penis. In some sex clubs and adult theaters, the glory hole is given a protective surface such as high density polyethylene to prevent such injuries. Using a glory hole in a public place (such as a restroom) also exposes the participants to possible legal threats, as such behavior could be considered public indecency or lewdness.