A building or establishment where people go to bathe, often including hot tubs, saunas, and other facilities for relaxation and cleanliness.
From Old English 'bæth' (bath) combined with 'hus' (house). Bathhouses have existed since Roman times and were social centers in many cultures.
Roman bathhouses weren't just for washing—they were ancient social media where business deals happened, gossip spread, and democracy was discussed, making them as important as modern gyms or coffee shops.
Bathhouses carry gendered and sexual histories. Gender-segregated bathhouses reflected strict Victorian norms about mixed-gender spaces. Later, bathhouses became coded spaces where LGBTQ+ people found community, creating layered social meaning.
When referencing historical bathhouses, acknowledge they served marginalized communities as spaces of safety and identity affirmation.
Bathhouses were crucial to LGBTQ+ community formation and resilience, particularly before legal protections. Acknowledge this historical significance.
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