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Paper short abstract:

Drawing on Gilles Deleuze’s concepts of the fold and events this paper describes the implications of a Deleuzian theoretical approach of material pluralism in an ethnological research study on so called Gay Saunas in Sweden pre the aids epidemic.

Paper long abstract:

In Sweden, like elsewhere, the coming of the 1980s meant a drastic change from the more hedonistic life style of the 1970s. Approximately 50 per cent of those who tested positive for HIV appeared to be gay or bisexual men. It was not long before Gay Saunas were designated as the foci of infection. After a intense media debate, the Minister of Social Affairs decided that a ban on Gay Saunas should be investigated quickly. The AIDS delegation's bill was ready as early as March 1987 and on June 4 it was hammered in the Swedish parliament, and entered into force on first of July banning Gay Saunas in Sweden. The period following the arrival of aids in Sweden have been studied extensively but the importance of the gay saunas as meeting places for their patrons have been somewhat overlooked.

Drawing on French philosopher Gilles Deleuze’s concepts of the fold and events this paper describes and examines the methodological and material implications of a Deleuzian theoretical approach of material pluralism in studying the events of gay saunas pre the arrival of the aids epidemic and the enactment of ban on gay saunas in Sweden. The paper specifically draws on the view that living and non-living subjects (e.g., former patrons of the gay saunas and researcher) and objects (e.g., buildings, magazines, ads, photographs, floor plans and different types of government documents) are entangled and playing an important part in activating memories of the former patrons of the Gay Saunas.