"Craig's Stall" becomes tourist attraction
US Senator's 'gay sting' sparks toilet tourism (Matthew Moore, Telegraph)
New York has the Statue of Liberty, San Francisco boasts the Golden Gate Bridge, and Washington is home to the White House.
But Minneapolis' new must-see tourist attraction tops them all, at least for lovers of a old-fashioned political sex scandal.
Visitors from across the United States are flocking to the men's toilets at Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport to see the stall where Senator Larry Craig was arrested for making sexual advances towards an undercover male police officer.
The Republican senator for Idaho was forced to resign earlier last month after pleading guilty to "disorderly conduct" in relation to his behaviour in the known gay cruising ground.
Mr Craig allegedly tapped his foot, brushed his shoe against the officer's shoe and repeatedly waved his hand under the stall divider.
advertisementNow the scene of the sting is proving unexpectedly popular with curious air travellers.
Karen Evans, who works at the airport's information desk, says that "Excuse me, can you please tell me where the Larry Craig bathroom is?" is now one of the most frequent questions she is asked.
"It's become a tourist attraction," Ms Evans told the Idaho Statesman newspaper. "People are taking pictures."
Nice!
Although the folks looking for anonymous gay sex in the restroom probably aren't too happy about the crowds.
Maybe airport police could learn a lesson from this episode -- instead of engaging in bizarre, foot-tapping/wide-stance sting operations, they could just publicize the problem and let the gawkers go take pictures!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/17/07 10:00 | Travel | Technorati
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Comments
There have been times that I've thought that we Americans - in general - are too prosperous for our own good. Gay sex restroom tourism would seem to lend validity to my notion. Is gay sex restroom tourism what you do when soap operas and reality shows just aren't getting it for you any more?
Posted by The Dude @ 12:54 on 09/17/07
Dude, I've got news for you. Gay sex restroom tourism was around LONG before soap operas and reality shows.
It probably began shortly after the first gender-specific restrooms opened.
Posted by Mr. Hutchison @ 08:47 on 09/18/07
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