Swingers meet in the Southern Tier

STORY ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED on WIVB, Feb, 2008:

There's a lot of outrage in a small southern tier community where a veterans post is doubling as a hangout for swingers. It's a very controversial lifestyle but the people who live it say they're not that different from everybody else.

"It is criminal, take it to your own house," said a protesting neighbor.

Last month, just outside of Fredonia, when the Badd Kitty Club canceled what was supposed to be it's second event, the neighbors again turned out to protest.

Kimberly Campbell, neighbor, "This is my home and I'm not going anywhere and they obviously went somewhere and I don't care where they went. They're not here and I'm happy."

But you may be surprised to hear how many western new yorkers belong to clubs that focus on what members call the lifestyle.

Bob and Janelle, are swingers, they've been , married for ten years, and about 5 years ago started attending these events.

Is this actually popular in Western New York? Janelle, "You have no idea."

Bob, "Just in the Western New York area, you're probably looking at 10,000 to 15,000."

On the web, you can find several local clubs like the Badd Kitty Club for married couples to meet other couples, go to a different location, and swap partners for the night.

The Buffalo Social Couples Club which meets in a VFW Post near the airport in Cheektowaga is one of the bigger clubs.

Last Saturday night, the parking lot was full for the clubs' Mardi Gras event. About 70 couples were there.

"It's friends with benefits, I mean you're not just there for that reason. You can meet different people, you're all there for the same reason to meet new people and see if you're compatible," said Bob. "It's easier to trust each other because with the whole infidelity thing, I mean you're doing it behind your spouse's back, where here you don't have to go behind her back."

"We love each other so deeply that being in the lifestyle, it's something that we added to add a little bit more spice to the relationship," said Janelle.

Bob and Janelle have 2 kids, a toddler and a teenager, "Our 14 year old daughter knows about it," said Bob.

"I explained to her that they were married couples who have a lot of trust in each other who are adding a little bit of extra to their marriage and pretty much fulfilling fantasies," said Janelle.

Whether you find it disgusting, or perfectly okay, the lifestyle is here in Western New York.

"I wouldn't recommend being the lifestyle unless you're in a 100% committed relationship, otherwise it's gonna cause problems, 'cause we have seen that side of it as well," warned Janelle.