A Connecticut town has practically devolved into civil war after a swinger’s club opened just feet away from a Baptist church.
About 100 residents of Terryville, small town in the center of the state, attended a zoning board meeting on Tuesday night advocating for the shutdown of the ‘Wicked Fun Club.’
Many of them were members of the Riverside Baptist Church, which shares a property line and a parking lot with the club.
Town officials say the club, which opened in November on the floor above a primary care clinic, has flouted zoning regulations that prevent ‘adult-use’ establishments from setting up shop within 1,000 feet of a church.
On March 28, club owner Steve Gagne was hit with a cease and desist order from the town, which demanded he close the business.
Gagne refused and appealed the letter on the grounds that the club isn’t ‘adult-use’, leading to last night’s tense meeting.
‘We have well-dressed people, professionals who come to our club, and they socialize and have a good time,’ Gagne said in an interview with NBC Connecticut. ‘And this is just consenting adults having a good time and doing nothing, nothing wrong. Leave us alone and we’ll be the good neighbors we’ve always been.’
Church members weren’t convinced and loudly voiced their opposition to the club during the meeting.
Rev. David Townsley (left) of the the Riverside Baptist Church attended the zoning board meeting on Tuesday to strongly argue against allowing the Wicked Fun Club to continue operating. Club owner Steve Gagne (right) downplayed the activities done and argued he should be allowed to run his business
The church (left) shares a parking lot and a property line with the club (right), which opened back in November above a primary care clinic
Pictured: Some of the private sex rooms that the Wicked Fun Club advertises on its website
There is even a dress code that recommends women put on ‘sexy club wear,’ while men are required to don collared shirts and dress shoes
The zoning board meeting on Tuesday was packed with about 100 people, many of them members of the church who wanted to see the swinger’s club shut down
‘Mr. Gagne decided to co-locate with the church. And while Joe Public may be fooled by half truth, shame on any of us here if we do the same after hearing the truth,’ said Matt Marcel, a member of the church.
Rev. David Townsley, the head of the church, has also been outspoken about his opposition to the swinger’s club.
‘They’re glad that individuals and myself are taking a stand and trying to say, this doesn’t seem like a great idea for the town,’ Townsley said.
The club’s website is very clear about what goes on inside, telling its members to ‘practice safe sex’ and to accept rejection because it ‘happens to everyone.’
Also on the website, there are photos of multiple private rooms where club members can go with their partners. Among them is an orgy room, a sex swing room, and a ‘gangbang’ room.
There is even a dress code that recommends women put on ‘sexy club wear,’ while men are required to don collared shirts and dress shoes.
Ultimately, the Plymouth Zoning Board denied Gagne’s appeal, a moment that elicited applause among most of the attendees.
Gagne will have to shut down, but he plans to sue the town. His hope is that a judge will grant a stay and allow him to operate while the lawsuit gets underway.
‘Vote against us and we will fight back, just like any citizen, business or group would when facing illegal retaliation and threats,’ Gagne said during the meeting.
