A HISTORY OF FUC CLUB: Friends Under Covers began when a group of college-age couples and single women realized there had to be more to life and sex in LA than clubs and bars. So they gave themselves a unique mission: Find one new, fun way to explore sex every week and report back to the group. Pretty soon their simple list of things to do in LA when you're young and sexy was over 20 pages long and their group was beginning to grow. Everyone it seemed wanted an alternative or an adventure. Couples who wanted to spice up their sex lives wanted to join and girls who were tired of the meat-market atmosphere in the regular “club” scene wanted to join too. So they did the only thing any decent set of college kids would do; they started flyering their college campuses. And thus Friends Under Covers was born… |
By Natalie Carey and Amanda Grinstead
DAILY BRUIN COLUMNISTS
ncarey@media.ucla.edu
agrinstead@media.ucla.edu
The first thing we noticed were the free condoms sitting on every table. Then we saw an adult film playing in a curtained-off room. Naked couples chatted in the jacuzzi and there were couches and beds for all the guests to get comfortable on. Not to mention the fully stocked bar, artichoke dip and chips on the counter.
Just another Saturday night for the sex columnists? Of course. But this time we were at the FUC Club, a swingers group aimed at a younger audience that even included some of our very own Bruins.
The FUC Club, which stands for "Friends Under Covers," was started by a group of hedonistic students who wanted to explore a more sexually adventurous lifestyle. Swinger parties are the one social gathering where it's acceptable to ditch your date, and couples are encouraged to find other partners to fulfill their sexual desires. This includes anything from fooling around to having sex to enjoying the occasional threesome – all within view of the other partygoers.
Now maybe you're thinking this is a group of weirdos who can't get normal humans to sleep with them. We'll admit, we were skeptical at first. The term "swingers" had conjured up images from the 1970s of shag carpets, gold necklaces and the parties Austin Powers threw.
Surprisingly, though, a group of attractive 20-somethings filled the room. According to them, they weren't "swingers" at all – rather, many referred to swinging as an "alternative sexual lifestyle" and to themselves as "polyerotic."
Most of the people were married, engaged or in a long-term relationship. Some had met through swinging, most had "swung" with their partner since the beginning of their relationship, and a few were there to try something new with their spouses.
"Often older couples work their way up to this point after doing everything else the sex counselors told them to do," said our hostess, who founded the club with her live-in boyfriend.
Our hostess also mentioned that couples get into swinging as an alternative to a divorce or cheating. We were told that spouses can still love each other very much, and while they may not want to leave the relationship, they may want something different than what their partner can give.
It's a difficult concept to grasp for those of us who aren't used to separating sex from emotion. The other founder, a recent college graduate, told us, "A lot of times when people are young they have a tendency to treat significant others as an object that fulfills a specific need for them."
And in reference to his girlfriend, he said, "I had to realize that her sexuality wasn't my property." His girlfriend added, "We live together 24/7, and that is the relationship. ... When both partners are open and communicate with each other, I've never seen swinging hurt a couple."
As much as the couples assured us that swinging made them happy, we still had our doubts. While we all can be attracted to more than one person at a time, if you have to seek out other partners in addition to the one you promise to spend the rest of your life with, perhaps you're just not with the right partner, or you're not ready to settle down yet.
It seems that, similar to older couples who use swinging to rejuvenate their sex lives, this lifestyle may just be a phase that young couples are experiencing – like dorm "floorcest" or spending every weekend at Maloney's.
If you're thinking of swinging, be aware that it isn't for everyone. You and your partner have to be extremely secure in the relationship and have to master the skill of separating sex from love. If both of you are curious and a little unsure (but neither has any serious doubts), the FUC Club is the most relaxed environment we could imagine.
People can either participate in "soft-swinging," only touching their partner, or they can just observe and decide if it's right for them. The fact that most of the group members are college students or recent graduates means you don't have to worry about getting propositioned by people your parents' age.
FRIENDS UNDER COVERS MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT & APPLICATION FORM (includes Mission Statement)
Acknowledgement & Acceptance of Organization Goals:
I, the undersigned, hereby join Friends Under Covers (FUC Club), a private organization and intellectual society dedicated to the advancement of specific political, social and moralistic beliefs—collectively known as the “Lifestyle”—amongst the younger generation. These beliefs include a rejection of conventional social norms in favor of allowing greater personal expression and the belief that greater sexual freedom is an inherent part of creating greater stability & love in existing personal and private relationships. My personal goal in joining in this organization therefore is to meet other like-minded individuals and to engage in and attend various artistic, musical, social and charitable events when my personal schedule allows. However, I acknowledge that my membership is also contingent upon attending at least 1 event per month. I also realize that at many of these events nudity and/or various sexual acts may occur, as such occurrences are the end result of putting this organization's beliefs into practice. As this is an organization interested in aiding existing personal relationships, I also certify that I am currently involved in a personal & romantic relationship with the person with whom I attend this organization's events with, and that this person is not an escort, prostitute, or has otherwise been paid, or given other forms of consideration, to attend this event with me. If I am a single female, I certify that I am interested in both 1) Learning more about the lifestyle and 2) Being around couples living more sexually open relationships, in the hopes of either joining such relationship as a third member, or learning how to develop such a relationship of my own in the future.
Membership Powers, Rules and Procedures for Selection:
The membership limit on this organization is 800 people at any given moment in time. I realize that my membership is dependant upon the acceptance of other members and if any 8 other members feel that I am not interested in achieving the goals of this organization, my membership will be revoked. Similarly, I also acknowledge my power to vote out other individuals from this organization for violating the goals of this organization, as long as my vote is made in conjunction with at least 7 other members. As a new member of this organization, I also acknowledge that it currently does not accept single men in the interests of keeping its membership selective and as part of its goals to promote healthier existing relationships as well as avoiding any negative secondary effects (such as prostitution) in the communities in which organization events occur. If I feel this policy should be changed, I acknowledge my power to change it through a petition or vote where at least 75% of the members of this organization vote to change it. Votes may be scheduled through any of the leaders of this organization as long as a request for a vote is presented by at least 12 members to that leader.
Other Policies:
No illegal or illicit drug use is allowed at any of this organization's events. I also acknowledge that no alcohol will be provided by the, homeowners, organizers, or leaders of this organization at any of this organization's events. I therefore agree to only consume alcohol that I have personally and legally purchased for myself. Nor will I provide alcohol to others without first ascertaining if that person is of drinking age. If I am under 21 years of age, I agree not to consume alcoholic beverages at any of this organization's events. If I engage in any form of sexual activity, I agree to use condoms in the interest of public health & safety. However, I also acknowledge that no form of sexual protection is 100% safe and therefore release this organization and/or homeowners from any liability stemming from any bodily harm caused by my sexual activity at any of this organization's events. I certify that I am above 18 years of age.