History Main / GayCruising

This is referred to as [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruising_for_sex cruising]] in gay slang/code. The term was coined in the '70s, although the practice is OlderThanDirt. While not exclusive to gay/bisexual men as heterosexuals partake in [[MakingLoveInAllTheWrongPlaces the same behavior]], cruising has a history amongst queer men. Homosexuality and homosexual sex being either illegal and/or extremely discouraged by many societies drove men to [[SecretlyGayActivity get together with each other in secret]] in order to satisfy sexual needs. This happens in gay bars and gay hangouts, but also happens outside of those areas (as in ''[[MakingLoveInAllTheWrongPlaces outdoors]]''). These areas are known as "cruising grounds" or "cruising spots;" they can be in the woods, or in the park, a public restroom (that specific form of cruising is referred to as "cottaging;" the term originated from the UK), etc.

This is referred to as [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruising_for_sex cruising]] in gay slang/code. The term was coined in the '70s, although the practice is OlderThanDirt. While not exclusive to gay/bisexual men as heterosexuals partake in [[MakingLoveInAllTheWrongPlaces the same behavior]], cruising has a history amongst queer men. Homosexuality and homosexual sex being either illegal and/or extremely discouraged by many societies drove men to [[SecretlyGayActivity get together with each other in secret]] in order to satisfy sexual needs. This happens in gay bars and gay hangouts, but also happens outside of those areas (as in ''outdoors''). These areas are known as "cruising grounds" or "cruising spots;" they can be in the woods, or in the park, a public restroom (that specific form of cruising is referred to as "cottaging;" the term originated from the UK), etc.

* ''Series/FellowTravelers'': Hawk is shown hooking up with a man he doesn't know while in a public restroom during the 1950s, and also says the Nomad tavern serves this purpose. In the '80s he also goes to a gay leather bar for the same reason, though his cruising gets aborted as the man he's hit on wants Hawk to be the bottom. Hawk is also a top, so he stops things.

* ''Series/TheNewsreader'': [[spoiler:This is what causes Gerry to be arrested on the charge of public indecency, the repercussions of which are dire for his career, making him go from being Australia's favourite television personality to becoming a national pariah.]]

This is not to be confused with [[https://atlantisevents.com/ gay cruises]], such as in the film ''Film/BoatTrip'', though cruising happens there as well.

This is not to be confused with a [[https://atlantisevents.com/ gay cruise]], such as in the film ''Film/BoatTrip''.

This is not to be confused with a gay cruise, such as in the film ''Film/BoatTrip''.

* ''Film/{{Cruising}}'', natch. The film is about an undercover cop embedded in New York's gay leather/BDSM subcommunity to catch a serial killer. The sexual activity mostly happens within the leather/BDSM club, however, though gay men also are shown cruising for sex in Central Park..

* ''Film/{{Cruising}}'', natch. The film is about an undercover cop embedded in New York's gay leather/BDSM subcommunity to catch a serial killer. The sexual activity happens within the leather/BDSM club, however.

* ''Series/InterviewWithTheVampire2022'': In the 1973 scene of the sixth episode, Louis de Pointe du Lac and Rashid are at Polynesian Mary's (a gay bar in San Francisco) to pick up guys. Louis flirts with a 20-year-old Daniel Molloy, buys him a drink, and invites him to his apartment. Daniel accepts, and while his goal is to interview Louis, he adds, "I mean, if something happens, you know, I'm cool." Louis then asks Rashid if he would like to join them (hinting that Louis and Rashid sometimes share a man for a threesome), but Rashid declines with "No, you go ahead, have your fun," and presumably he seeks out someone else at the bar who is more appealing to him.

* Implied at the truck stop scene in ''Film/BohemianRhapsody''

* ''Film/TomOfFinland'' shows Touko parttaking in the activity at various places at various times, including during the war as the city lights are out in fear of bombing raids, and the film also depicts the real incident when the Helsinki police did sweeping [[PoliceBrutality violent]]] raids at known cruising spots ahead of the 1952 Olympic games.

* implied at the truck stop scene in ''Film/BohemianRhapsody''

* in ''Film/{{Transamerica}}'', Bree's son Toby is quick to spot an interested truck driver when the pair are in need of quick cash, and slips out with him to his truck.

* in ''Film/{{Transamerica}}'', Bree's son Toby is quick to spot an interested truck driver when the pair are in need of quick cash, and slips out with him to his truck.

* ''Series/{{Aguarius}}'' shows ArmoredClosetGay Ken Karn hooking up with strange men in public toilets.

This is referred to as [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruising_for_sex cruising]] in gay slang/code. The term was coined in the '70s, though the practice is OlderThanDirt. While not exclusive to gay/bisexual men as heterosexuals partake in [[MakingLoveInAllTheWrongPlaces the same behavior]], cruising has a history amongst queer men. Homosexuality and homosexual sex being either illegal and/or extremely discouraged by many societies drove men to [[SecretlyGayActivity get together with each other in secret]] in order to satisfy sexual needs. This happens in gay bars and gay hangouts, but also happens outside of those areas (as in ''outdoors''). These areas are known as "cruising grounds" or "cruising spots;" they can be in the woods, or in the park, a public restroom (that specific form of cruising is referred to as "cottaging;" the term originated from the UK), etc.

-->--'''Music/GeorgeMichael''', "Outside"

* The uncensored music video for [[Music/WeCantDance "Jesus He Knows Me"]] by Music/{{Genesis}} depicts one of the televangelists being caught by paparazzi hooking up with another man behind his wife's back in a public restroom. This moment was excised on most general broadcasts and releases of the video, including the official [=YouTube=] upload.