Rick's Cruising Diary

Tips for safer cruising

Be prepared

• You're more likely to be a target if you look wealthy. Avoid visible jewellery and watches. Leave your wallet at home and only take the money you actually need.
• Work out beforehand the type of sex that you want. That way you're less likely to go further than you intend in the heat of the moment.
• Carry condoms and lube. Don't rely on other guys to have them.
• Think about how you would react and what you would do if caught by the Police.
• Although it can be embarrassing, try and let someone know where you're going.
• Bear in mind that drink and drugs can affect your alertness and judgement. Look after yourself.
• Don't be a hero. If there's any danger it's best to run in the opposite direction.
• It isn't a good idea to carry a weapon. Pulling out a weapon may antagonise an attacker and the weapon could be used on you. The Police could charge you with possession of an offensive weapon.
• Consider taking some lessons in self-defence.

Safer sex

• Using strong condoms and water-based lube if you're fucking is the most effective way to protect yourself against HIV. It also cuts down the risk of catching other sexually transmitted diseases.
• If you're getting fucked, check that the guy actually puts the condom on (this happened to a friend of mine). It's more easy for mishaps to occur with people you don't know and in dark places.
• Some guys like to use a condom for oral sex too. Oral sex is lower risk as far as HIV is concerned but, again, a condom protects you against other sexually-transmitted diseases.
• Even if you think you won't need condoms, it's still a good idea to carry them. Who knows, you might change your mind when you meet someone really hot?
• Don't be shy about insisting on the type of sex that you feel comfortable with. You don't owe the other person anything. Feel free to walk away from any situation.

At the cruising area

• Think how you'd get away if there was any trouble. Watch out for isolated areas and dead ends. If in doubt, get out.
• If you see anyone else in danger, shouting may be enough to deter an attack.
• Get to know other guys who go cruising, even if they aren't people you 'fancy'. That way you can look out for each other. The bitchy behaviour that tends to happen in gay bars and clubs is much less common in cruising areas and good long lasting friendships can be made sometimes.
• The outskirts of cruising grounds can be the most dangerous places. So try not to hang around. Hanging about can alert other people to what is going on and increase the chances of trouble or unwanted attention from the Police.
• Remember that many cars have central locking and you could be trapped if you get inside.
• If taking someone home, or going to their place, try and let another person know who you are with and where you are going. Tell a fellow cruiser or perhaps make a telephone call to a friend and let your sex partner see you do this.

The law

• In the UK sex in a public place is NOT illegal, so long as other people who might be offended can't see you and are unaware that you are having sex. To quote GALOP: 'It is not against the law for people to loiter, engage in conversation or walk around a cruising ground with the purpose of meeting others. In other words, you can not be arrested simply for going cruising.'
• Before accepting a 'caution' from a police officer, consider the fact that this is an admission of guilt.

If you are attacked

• Get to a safe place as soon as you can.
• Always try to keep a coin for an emergency 'phone call to a friend or enough money to get home.
• If you have to go to Accident and Emergency you don't have to tell the doctor how you got the injuries.
• The Police (in the UK) are more sympathetic to attacks these days. So you may want to report it. If you do experience a problem with the Police, then you can make an official complaint about their handling of the matter.
• There may also be gay organisations in your area that monitor hate crimes. Consider reporting it to them.