Queer Britons Warm Up to Saunas and Watch the Royal Funeral

When the queen died in 2022, one gay sauna live-streamed her funeral rather than its usual pornographic films in a profoundly moving show of respect. Hipsters get almost naked. Dockers are unimpressed.

A topless man sits at a poker table, playing cards held close to his chest. He has just been downstairs in the banya, a Russian kind of sauna. The New Docklands Russian Banya & Steam Baths in east London is one of the East End’s last surviving public baths, a longtime haven for cabbies, boxers and dockworkers. But even as one type of bathing culture fades, another is on the rise.

These old and new visions of public bathing can prompt some low-level sniping. “We’re inspired by Docklands… but facilities-wise they’re a bit rough and ready,” says Katie Bracher, a “new wave” sauna consultant. “For us it’s a philosophy” but some of them are “having a jolly”, opines Anil Singh, Docklands’ operation manager.

Mostly not gay venues as such, still customer-to-customer massage is encouraged. Very East End traditional. Can be intimidating at first but friendly if you make the effort to talk to people. Sunday is the most gay-friendly day.

Other types of saunas are available. But all agree on the health benefits. A sauna can reduce pain, improve mood and increase blood circulation. Mr Elliott believes that everyone should try it. “It’s almost like trying to tell someone how to surf a wave or have an orgasm. You can’t really get it until you’ve done it.”

Something in this mix of Dickensian nostalgia and obsequiousness, of darkness, thrill and mourning, of sex, ritual, and stupidity that just seemed to me so, well – so regal.

Article inspired from The Economist and Huw Lemmey.

– – –

GAY45 is committed to publishing a diversity of articles, prose and poetry. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. And here’s our email if you wanna send a letter: [email protected].

– – –

When we learn of a mistake, we acknowledge it with a correction. If you spot an error, please let us know.

– – –

TODAY IS NOT AN EASY DAY

Queer press and books are forced into silence.
But we have something powerful on our side.
We’ve got you. You make us strong.
GAY45 is funded by readers.
Our editors decide what we publish—no one else.
Donate as much as you can.
Every 5€ is a way to help the community, the independent press and fight against silence.
GAY45 is Europe’s leading queer magazine of culture, politics and ideas. Because of you.
You can donate to support our Queer Journalism Campus and GAY45 now.

We appreciate it. Thanks for reading.