Friday, November 23, 2007

Media Circus - Swinger Club in Wilmer

With the big city media poking around into the adult swinger scene in the metroplex, it was only a matter of time before "The Silver Minx" was discovered in Wilmer by the television media. This is one circus we would like to avoid.

The publicity generated by the "discovery" of the Cherry Pit in Duncanville piqued the public interest in such things and we find the media poking around for more stories. According to news reports, the complaints about the parking at the Cherry Pit prompted action by the Duncanville City Council and a new public nuisance ordinance was established to regulate this club. Supposedly, the flap was all about the parking crowds and not the activity inside. However, we are certain the popularity of the story among readers is all about the activity inside - not new ordinances in Duncanville.

There are a number of commercial "swingers" clubs in the metroplex. In Dallas, most of these establishments are run as commercial businesses operating as "off premise" clubs that provide the opportunity to meet and greet like minded play partners while barring overt sexual expression. The bounds of public decorum in such places are somewhat more flexible than might be permitted in typical bars and clubs. Unlike "strip clubs" or "topless bars", the clientele rather than the workers are most likely to to wear risque attire. Many establishments encourage patrons to dress elegantly, provocatively, or "sexy". Depending on the establishment's code of conduct, varying degrees of exposure are permitted and might be segregated into secluded corners. The Sans Souci club has dance floor patrols that closely monitor the activities of patrons to ensure that lewd conduct isn't observed.

News reports about the Cherry Pit in Duncanville describe a large private home in a decent neighborhood with privacy fences and covered windows to keep their activities from the public view. Clubs like the Cherry Pit are "on premise" clubs offering the patrons the opportunity to observe and participate in "a full range of sexual expression", within the limits of the house rules. Most of these places allow single women and couples only, or the occasional extra male accompanied by a couple. As a general rule, single males are discouraged or not permitted, but as always there is the discretion of the house in these matters. House rules generally enforce a "NO means NO" policy and may prohibit specific sexual acts or same-gender relations. Many of these places have dress codes and encourage their patrons to "dress to impress" - which may mean very different standards of dress for men and women.

The Silver Minx in Wilmer is an "on premise" club situated on small acreage with adequate parking and very few complaints. As in any small town, most folks know the location where "something's going on" or have seen crowds of cars on party nights - but no one is sure what goes on there. It's been reported that women wearing evening gowns have been sighted entering the private home, but Wilmer PD reports no complaints of lewd activity, noise disturbances, or nuisance behaviour.

The television media finds these types of stories have great public appeal and we'll probably be hearing about other clubs like the Cherry Pit and the Silver Minx around the metroplex. While this type of reporting is very good for ratings and the popularity of news broadcasts, Wilmer Public Citizen has a duty to inform the public of newsworthy topics but not to expose the private conduct of consenting adults, regardless of how sensational the topic. Our hope is that the mainstream news media will soon tire of this scandalous reporting and return to priority news like political corruption and public malfeasance in Wilmer.