In its most common sense, a gloryhole is a hole cut in a wall or partition for the purpose of either observing a person on the other side, possibly while masturbating, or allowing the insertion of an erect penis, in order to have sexual intercourse with the person on the other side (masturbation, fellatio, vaginal or anal penetration).
The special features of the glory hole are that it preserves anonymity and ensures physical separation between partners. It's the ultimate materialization of the fantasy of one-way sex with a stranger1.
These devices can be found in adult-only establishments such as sex shops, cinemas, specialized video and book stores, swingers' clubs and so on. They are placed on partitions separating individual booths (toilet cubicles, video booths, etc.), or on partitions specially designed for the purpose. On the other hand, the holes that can be found on public toilet partitions have more often than not been drilled for the purpose of spying. Holes for sexual intercourse, however, are not used indiscriminately: they are reputed to be used for sexual intercourse and serve as meeting places.
This practice, and the use of this expression to designate it, first appeared in the gay community, before being adopted more recently by heterosexuals.
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