"Swingtown," by Mike Fisher, September 18
Here to Serve
I've seen the self-serving claim by proponents of "the lifestyle" that American combat pilots "serviced" each other's wives to keep them "faithful" during World War II and find it doubtful as well as abhorrent.
Human beings are not animals bound by the universal impulse to life but people created in the image of God with minds, souls and the moral good sense to sublimate their sexual impulse in order to create families, children, homes and civilizations.
Public display of the perverse and destructive "lifestyle" shouldn't be tolerated in a civilized culture, whether in Duncanville or any other city anywhere in the country.
If the owners of the "Cherry Pit" had kept themselves below the radar, no one would know or care what debauchery occurred in their "home," but since they advertise their "parties" on the Internet, it becomes the business of the community to either condone or condemn.
Kudos to the city of Duncanville for standing against this moral outrage. And the city manager is correct: It's just plain nasty.
Catbird, via dallasobserver.com
Wow. I applaud the Dallas Observer for having the balls to even write this story. I also applaud the author for treating it fairly. No one else in this conservative town would have the balls to even mention swinging exists. Thank you.
Warren, via dallasobserver.com
Wow, an article that finally grabbed my attention. Way to go, Observer. For some of us ladies, we like to see things in a different light. This was an interesting story and seems to be the talk in our kitchen here at work—actually a fun discussion here at lunch for us girls.
Becky, via dallasobserver.com
I feel bad for the Cherry Pit owners because they are fighting an uphill battle. They didn't have everything in order. It's evident that the city of Duncanville is using everything they can to harass them. At some point the city needs to allow the legal system to take its course and not pursue some of the petty charges.
With that being said, there are plenty of wealthy Dallas people who engage in these types of activities. This is a bright light on their little secret. Personally, I don't have a problem with people living out their sexual fantasies with consenting adults, no matter what their job is.
Eathan, via dallasobserver.com
Swinging, sometimes referred to as the swinging lifestyle, is non-monogamous sexual activity, treated much like any other social activity that can be experienced as a couple. Swinging may be seen as part of the sexual revolution of recent decades, which occurred after the upsurge in sexual activity made possible by safe sex practices. Swinging has been called wife swapping in the past. If you look in history you will find that swinging has been around for quite some time.
The term "club" may refer to a group that organizes lifestyle-related events in a particular area; it can also refer to a physical location or building. In this latter context, clubs are typically divided into on-premises clubs, where sexual activity may occur at the club itself, and off-premises clubs, where sexual activity is not allowed at the club, but may be arranged at a nearby location.
Cherry Pit is an on-premises club. I, being a swinger, can be found at off-premises clubs. (I do not like to be at an on-premises club. In my opinion, it is not a healthy environment.)
Many swingers report that their relationships are strengthened through swinging and say their sex lives are more intimate and satisfying. Jealousy can occur, but proponents of swinging assert that jealousy is mainly [between] couples whose relationships were already unstable. Finally, some swingers advocate that swinging is about sex, the physical aspect, and relationship (marriage) is about love, the emotional aspect. For example: To swing, the couple needs to differentiate between love and sex, and keep emotions out of swinging. Those who swing advocate that emotional feelings of love or excessive need for the third is a signal that the relationship with the third needs to end.
As to those who object to swinging on the basis of faith, many swingers feel their activities in their own homes or private clubs are not for others to judge. Others believe that as long as they consider their relationships sacred, playing does not contradict the sanctity, and is consistent with spiritual values.
In short, swinging means different things to different people, and it brings to them what they seek as a couple.
Juliet, via dallasobserver.com
