On March 2, a protest called the Sodomites Walk was held on Hampstead Heath by ACT UP London and This is My Culture. This event was a response to posters that urged locals to reclaim the space from gay men who use it for cruising. The posters encouraged dog walkers to avoid areas frequented by men seeking casual sex. Participants highlighted the historical context of cruising at the Heath and its importance as a space for sexual exploration amid changing societal norms and the advent of dating apps. Opinions varied, with some dog walkers raising concerns about safety and hygiene, while protesters defended the tradition of cruising as an important social practice.
"Cruising has taken place on the Heath since at least the 19th Century and continued right through decriminalisation all the way up to the present day. For many it is still a safe space of sexual exploration, nestled away in nature, it's a world that exists outside of the toxicity of modern day apps and sexual categorisation."
"I believe in live and let live but I just don't understand the interest in men wanting to have sex with other men in bushes when they don't have to. Things have changed a lot and homosexuality is not illegal."
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