publicity of our local swinger club

[darling]

The local swing club we attend recently did an interview with our local news channel. The couple they interviewed happened to be the owners but they didn't say that. Only that they were a swinging couple. Then they said something about a local owner of a swing club is allowing our camera's in and they then were showing a bit of the club when it was empty as long as they didn't give the name or location. At the end of the story, they were showing the internet and the search word that would actually take you to the club's site.

We were really nervous about this because always before the club was well disguised and they were always careful to blend into the neighborhood.

Does anyone else feel they may have opened a door that could lead to trouble? What if a local church group or political group decides to push their moral beliefs now that they are aware of the club? The club is always packed, so it wasn't like they needed more business.

[windsor4fun2]

This is definitely a double edged sword. Providing information to the public that shows swingers as "relatively" normal people that simply have a more open attitude toward sex and not degenerates is good. Unfortunately you are right about the possibility that by raising the clubs profile it may come to the notice of groups that cause problems. My preference would be for the club we attend to remain under the radar, so to speak.

Jesse

[JustAskJulie]

I would have to wonder why the club owners chose to do this.

Was it a case of wanting attention, wanting to make swinging more public.

Or was a case where the news channel found out about the club and was going to do a report either way. In which case the owners felt they were better off if they cooperate and gave their own side of things vs. letting the news channel come up with their own story without any input.

[windsor4fun2]

Originally posted by JustAskJulie
Or was a case where the news channel found out about the club and was going to do a report either way. In which case the owners felt they were better off if they cooperate and gave their own side of things vs. letting the news channel come up with their own story without any input.

Good point. This is something I hadn't considered. If they were going to do a report it would be best to have input to try to give it the best spin possible.

Jesse

[yawanna]

The owners of one club up here do a fair bit of television and newspaper interviews about 'swinging' and their club. They also have a large website with a message board, chat room, events calendars and maps to the locations - they have a few venues they use.

They have never been picketed or raided and are very mindful to ensure there is no inappropriate sexual activity happening in their off premise club.

I think they do the promotion via media to attract new members and also from their website, chat room and message board.

They have also shared that when they chose this business, they were disowned by all family, so basically, they don't have much to lose anymore and their lives and livelihood is their swinger business.

They of course don't allow cameras or recorders in the club, BUT...one interesting issue I've seen elsewhere, is of those cell phones that operate as digital cameras.....

[Elusive BiFem]

Originally posted by yawanna

...BUT...one interesting issue I've seen elsewhere, is of those cell phones that operate as digital cameras.....

Now that is an interesting thought, yawanna, and I wonder how many others have thought of it. Kind of a scary thought, isn't it?

- EBF

[Miss_Piggy]

Ah, the digital camera issue.

I don't quite understand why this one has become such an issue. Yes people could secretly take pictures of you with a cell phone that opearates as a camera. But they could have secretly taken pictures of you before with a little camera (expecially some of those little digital ones).
Just because it's in a cell phone doesn't make it more of a threat. The threat would exist anyway.

~Piggy

[Elusive BiFem]

Certainly true, Miss Piggy. However, if someone brought out a camera, people would be forewarned that pictures were being taken. With the cell phone...are they talking on the phone or taking your picture? You don't really know. With a camera in a place like a swingers club, the club managers might ask you to leave, or at least leave your camera at the desk. What do they do about a cell phone? The parents that say "...but I have to have it with me in case the kids call," etc. Personally, I see some huge privacy issues with the cell phone thing.

So maybe some of our club owners might come on and comment on this thread? Tom and Bonnie? Close Encounters? What do ya'll think?

- EBF

[kandj]

Well, concerning the cell phones that take pictures, the club we belong to stricktly prohibits anyone from carrying any type of cell with them. Our club is an on premis and the owners had the forthought to nip this problem in the bud. You can bring your phone in with you, but it has to be kept locked in one of the lockers provided. I personaly like this idea, mainly because the thought of being in the middle of something and having either the couple's your with or your own suddenly ringing and ruining the "momment".

[LadyCleo]

Originally posted by Elusive BiFem
So maybe some of our club owners might come on and comment on this thread? Tom and Bonnie? Close Encounters? What do ya'll think?

One of the on-premise clubs we go to also has a ban on all cell phones past the lobby.

LC

[yawanna]

One of the on-premise clubs we go to also has a ban on all cell phones past the lobby.

Is that because of the phone or that it may have the digital camera option?

We attended an on premise boat cruise and during a bit of an orgy at the bow of the boat, some poor shmuck's cell phone started ringing.....someone called out 'it's your Mom!'

[JustAskJulie]

Originally posted by Elusive BiFem
Certainly true, Miss Piggy. However, if someone brought out a camera, people would be forewarned that pictures were being taken. With the cell phone...are they talking on the phone or taking your picture? You don't really know. With a camera in a place like a swingers club, the club managers might ask you to leave, or at least leave your camera at the desk. What do they do about a cell phone? The parents that say "...but I have to have it with me in case the kids call," etc. Personally, I see some huge privacy issues with the cell phone thing.

- EBF

I think what she was referring to are the little spy cams that you would never even know are there. I know some people who do an exhibitionist website and while she is her own model they use those small cameras hidden in a handbag with a hole cut into it and various other methods of taking pictures of her as she flashes unsuspecting subjects (without them even realizing that the picture is being taken).

If someone really wanted to sneak a camera into a club they could do it regardless of the rules that are set forth.

[Chicup]

Originally posted by JustAskJulie
I think what she was referring to are the little spy cams that you would never even know are there. I know some people who do an exhibitionist website and while she is her own model they use those small cameras hidden in a handbag with a hole cut into it and various other methods of taking pictures of her as she flashes unsuspecting subjects (without them even realizing that the picture is being taken).

If someone really wanted to sneak a camera into a club they could do it regardless of the rules that are set forth.

When I first heard people bitching about the phone cameras in locker rooms and the like I was of the same opinion as you, but then there is a bit of a difference. While yes you could put a small camera about anywhere to sneak pictures, most people won't spend the money to do that, so its less of an issue. On the other hand almost everyone has a cell phone. And while you can get caught with the first method, it would be harder to get someone being sneaky with a cell phone.

[BradAndJanet]

There is quite a lot of discussion in Japan about this issue. Here are some stories:

In Japan, phones make mischief
Abuses with mini-cameras tough to curb
The Onset of Connected Cameras

As one article pointed out, as these things get smaller and more capable, there will be cameras everywhere. While we tend to worry about the government intruding on our privacy, should we be concerned about our fellow citizens as well?

-B

[Botcpl]

We were talking about this last night. There always some clown in the locker room at the gym talking on his cell phone. It would be very easy to be taking pictures and sending them back to "Bubba" in the joint or someplace.

I think we need to watch out for "Big Brother" and all his cousins. I am really worried about what all these international companies could do with this, not just pictures of people, but maybe blue-prints of designes and maybe personal information.

P