What is Gloryhole sex?

A glory hole (also spelled glory-hole or glory-hole) is a hole in a wall or other partition, often between public restroom stalls or stalls in an erotic video game arcade, where people can engage in sexual activity or observe the person in the adjacent stall while one or both of them masturbate. The partition provides anonymity. Body parts such as fingers, tongue, and penis can be used for anonymous oral, vaginal, and/or anal sex. Erotic literature and pornographic films are devoted to the sexual use of glory holes.

In the past, gay guides, and now websites, offered lists of glory holes. Some sex theaters and sex clubs have so-called "slurp ramps" (called "suckatoriums" in Australia) – where the glory hole platform is a few steps higher than the floor where the person is standing, so the person sucking through the glory hole can suck while standing, without having to kneel.

Not only in clubs

Some gay men install private glory holes in their homes or other locations they manage. Glory holes are almost exclusively created and used by men, primarily, but not exclusively, by gay men.

What's fun about Gloryhole sex?

There are countless motivations for the use and eroticism of glory holes. For some, the sheer anonymity itself is arousing. Using a glory hole is also an easy way to compensate for any perceived physical shortcomings. One social theorist has described the appeal of this form of sexual encounter as follows: "The ultimate form of sexual objectification for gay men is the glory hole in public restrooms. Because a wall separates the two participants, there is no contact except through a mouth, a penis, and perhaps a hand. Almost complete anonymity is guaranteed because no other characteristics are considered. The glory hole is seen as an iconic erotic oasis in gay subcultures worldwide; the motivations, experiences, and values ​​people ascribe to it when using it vary."

In light of the ongoing AIDS pandemic, many gay men are reassessing their sexual and erotic desires and practices. Glory holes offer a physical barrier, which can be an extension of psychological barriers, such as internalized homophobia (a consequence of the widespread aversion to LGBT practices and individuals in many societies). For some gay men, a glory hole serves to completely depersonalize their partner into a disembodied object of sexual desire, located either through the hole or on the other side.

These motivations can be considered typically male motivations, as opposed to specific gay and/or bisexual male motivations.

What is the protocol for a glory hole in an adult arcade or sex shop?

There's generally very little conversation in public places where glory holes are common. It does happen, but usually by looking and following a few standard protocols.

If you want to be the one to help someone else come:
Enter a cubicle; close and lock the door, if possible.

Put some money into the video machine if necessary.

Please sit down if the establishment has seating available.

Expose your penis and get an erection.

Wait for someone to enter the next booth, or watch the person in the next booth through the glory hole. Don't be shy about this; almost everyone there wants to be watched by the person in the next booth.

If you like what you see, insert a finger through the glory hole, far enough for the other person to see. If you're married and want to let the other person know you're married, insert your ring finger. Pull it back to show them you're married. Ready to receive him. If you want him to use a condom, place it in the hole between you now.

If the other person wants to play with you, they'll stand up and stick their penis through the hole. If not, they won't. If they want to use the condom you've placed in the hole, they'll do so now. Sometimes they just want you to watch while they pleasure themselves.

Generally, the man on the other side will pull up his pants and leave after he's finished. He's accomplished what he came for.

If you want to be the one to cum:
Enter a cubicle; close and lock the door, if possible.

Put some money into the video machine if necessary.

Sit down if you want, but standing up is generally a sign that you are not ready to play with someone else.

Show your penis and make sure it gets hard. It'll be harder to find someone to play with if you don't have a semi-erect erection.

Wait for someone to stick their finger through the glory hole. If no one seems interested, be careful. Not everyone who goes to these kinds of places is interested. You can get into serious trouble by just sticking your penis through the glory hole without asking.

Now put on a condom if you want. Insert your penis through the hole. Some men will simply play with you; others will give you a blowjob; a few will want you to penetrate them anally.

In case of a "slurp ramp": step on it

Stand on the raised platform and insert your penis through the gloryhole; usually, the other person approaches your gloryhole from below and begins sucking your penis while standing.

If you want to exchange:

If you stop playing before someone climaxes and your penis is visible and hard, that's a common sign you want to switch. That is, it's time for him to withdraw his penis and allow you to insert yours through the glory hole so he can play with you. Your best chance of making this happen is to find someone who is comfortable (looking for play) and willing to play with you (responds when you insert your finger through the glory hole).

This will lead to one of two things: the other person will either agree or refuse. A typical refusal is the person sticking their penis back through the glory hole or leaving and finding someone else.

Sometimes the person being played with wants to help you climax. They'll indicate this by pulling their penis out of the glory hole (usually before they climax) and sticking their finger through the hole. If you want to be played with, stick your penis through the hole. If you're not ready, stick your finger back through after they've done so. From that point on, you two need to negotiate.

If you want anal sex:

Follow the same procedure as above, but position your buttocks as close to the gloryhole as possible. When the person on the other side sees this, they will try to penetrate you through the gloryhole. You should soon feel their penis or finger pressing against your anus (or a nearby area). Guide their penis or finger to where you want it.

Be aware that if the other person doesn't have a penis of at least six inches, this is a rather difficult position and penetration may be impossible. You might have to settle for using their finger.

If you want someone to follow you to a booth:

Not every sex shop or cinema has separate booths for two people; but some still tolerate discreet booth sharing. For that, you need a separate protocol.

The clearest sign that you want someone to follow you into a restroom or video booth is making eye contact. When you enter the booth, make direct, uninterrupted eye contact with the person you're targeting for a few seconds. If they look at you, enter the booth and leave the door open. If they're interested, they'll come in quickly. Usually, if they're not interested, they'll avert their gaze in your direction as soon as your eyes meet.

He should enter your booth immediately. If he just opens the door and stares, close it; he wasn't interested. He just wanted a quick look. If he enters the booth, uncover yourself immediately. If he uncovers himself, you're done.

What is the protocol for a glory hole in a public restroom?

Another popular place to find glory holes is in a public restroom. Any public restroom can have a glory hole. Good spots include highway rest stops, truck stops, restrooms on college campuses, especially in libraries, and shopping malls. The protocol is usually very simple.

If you want to play with someone and you find a restroom with a glory hole, just close the door and wait to see who comes by. It's that simple. It might also take a while before you find someone in the adjacent restroom.

Of course, some men skip the glory hole and improvise. In that case, I recommend going to a restroom at the far end of the bathroom. Close the door, pull down your pants, and wait. When someone enters the adjacent restroom, move your foot so they can see it and start tapping it gently. If the other person is in the mood to play, they kneel down and place their penis under the toilet wall. They might decide to join you in the restroom, which is usually risky. In that case, it's advisable to use a large bag or something else you can conceal so others can't see your legs in the restroom.

What is the protocol for a private glory hole?

In most cases, this private glory hole is located in someone's home, so follow the same protocol as when visiting someone. Be polite and respectful. Don't do anything that might arouse the neighbors' suspicion, and never show up unannounced unless you've received permission.

While this isn't a hard and fast rule, you can generally assume that when someone invites you to a private glory hole, you're the active party and the host is passive.

In general, the person visiting a private gloryhole shouldn't expect the other man, your host, to cum. Most men who visit private gloryholes are primarily interested in pleasing other men. They'll likely masturbate later while thinking about all that cum.

Health aspects

There is an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections when having sex with infected partners. This risk can be reduced by using condoms, although their use is not common in glory hole activities.