What Is A Gloryhole

A glory hole is a hole in a wall or partition, often between public lavatory stalls or video booths, which can be used to observe the person in the next cubicle or to engage in sexual activity with the person next door. Glory hole is also occasionally used to describe the openings in a sex doll or similar sex toy, but the first usage is more prominent.

A man may put his penis through the hole to engage in oral, anal or vaginal intercourse while maintaining a certain degree of anonymity. This usually happens in established sex clubs, adult arcades, adult theatres, and adult bookstores. Glory holes in normal public lavatories are mainly used as peep holes, although certain areas are established meeting places at which people can engage in anonymous sex.

Although both the term and the practice originated in the gay community, in recent years both have also been adopted by heterosexuals. Women sometimes participate in this practice, and there are a number of pornographic websites that cater to images and videos of heterosexuals utilizing glory holes.

Due to the fear of arrest or assault, 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.

The use of glory holes for sexual gratification carries many risks, as is the case with most forms of anonymous sex. Since the "partners" ostensibly know nothing about each other, they can transmit sexually transmitted diseases. Similarly, the person on the "receiving" side of the partition could severely injure the "giver," either maliciously or accidentally. The hole itself could even cause serious cuts or abrasions to a penis; in some sex clubs and adult theaters, the glory hole is given a protective surface (even one as crude as duct tape) to prevent such injuries. Using a glory hole in a public place (such as a restroom) also poses a legal threat, as such behavior could be considered public indecency or lewdness; additionally, participants often violate any local sodomy laws that may exist.