(Warning: This post contains references to sexual relations. And even sex.)
Ron Gould was in the vanguard of the sexual revolution. In the lates 70s, Ron and his wife Sue had been married a few years and wondered about their future.
"How many times can we do the missionary positions? It could get kind of boring."
This started Ron's involvement is what is called, "the lifestyle."
Back then, the term used was "wife swapping" and there were two ways of meeting people. You could go to a "swapping" party or read personal ads in a raunchy magazine.
Ron and Sue thought there had to be a better way. Eventually, they went from participants to entrepreneurs and in the process brought "the lifestyle" into the 21st century.
Among their achievements: changing the sex toy industry by hosting parties where women (and occasionally men) would feel comfortable, safe and have fun buying these products. Forbes Magazine reporting in December from the Asia Adult Expo in Macau wrote that..."Sex toys, in a way, are tools of capitalism. One report listed the value of the global sex-toy industry at $15 billion."
When Ron and Sue moved from Detroit to Lake County, swinging was still very underground. At the time, there was Club Executive North that held parties twice a month at a hotel near Palwaukee airport.
Then the internet came around and changed every thing. Ron and Sue realized the potential to reach interested parties (and party-goers) in the privacy of their own desk top.
They started a club and held parties once a month. The parties were so successful that the Goulds offered events three days a week at a house in unincorporated Lake County. Sue wrote a book called, "Happy Swinging...Advice Your Mom Never Gave You." It gave straight forward advice to those married couples who were considering entering the lifestyle.
"Our philosophy about swinging is pretty simple. It's an opportunity to meet people you like, who have things in common with you, who would be your friends anyway. "
A few other things, we learned from Gould:
Swingers are usually in their mid 30s to 40s, married 10 to 12 years and not looking for a new love just looking to spice up their sexual relationship.
Men initiate trying out the lifestyle. Yet women take to the lifestyle more readily. Let's just say it's biological.
If you’re getting into the lifestyle to improve your relationship, it is likely that the relationship will break up. And quickly. If you just want to openly experiment with multiple partners, then the lifestyle is for you.
When the Goulds held classy events at their clubs, the turnout was good. When the events were sleazy, the parties were great. Swinging is a dirty little secret and swingers don't want it out in the open.
Everyone has a story about meeting their friends, relatives, bosses, employees, doctor, dentist, and clergyman at a swinger's party. Gould says when you see customer at a party he may have been a good customer. After the party, he's a great customer!
Here's Ron Gould in his own words. (Sue passed away. Ron contributes to the facebook site AIM at Melanoma in her memory)
