A Man Replaced Lube With Hydrochloric Acid in a Sydney Gay Club Bathroom

A 62-year-old man has been charged with numerous offences after allegedly replacing lubricant with hydrochloric acid in the bathroom of Sydney gay club Aarows on Saturday, August 27. Luckily, club security were able to intervene before any injuries were caused.

The man allegedly filled a communal lubricant dispenser with the highly corrosive acid with the intention that patrons would use it. Hydrochloric acid burns human skin on contact and can cause permanent injury and scarring—needless to say, it should not, under any circumstances, be used as lube.

In a media statement, New South Wales state police said items in the club bathroom had been fitted with alarms following similar incidents in the past, which enabled security to quickly detect that the lubricant dispenser had been tampered with. Unfortunately, incidents like these aren't uncommon in LGBTQI venues.

"An alarm sounded and security detained the man before police from Rosehill Local Area Command attended," they said.

"[He] was arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station and charged with administer poison intend to injure/cause distress/pain, enter building with intent to commit an indictable offence, malicious damage and drive whilst suspended."

It's unknown what motivated the man to commit the act, with one club-goer telling the ABC on Saturday, "It could be anything really. People are perverted."

Operating in various locations since 1990, Aarows is a LGBTQI-friendly club located in the north west suburb of Rydalmere, Sydney. According to its website, the club "has now long been established as Sydney's premier health, recreation & social centre where safe sex is permitted regardless of gender."

The alleged perpetrator was released on bail and will appear in court next month. Aarows' clientele will probably be bringing lube from home for the foreseeable future.

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