Gay men rightly have a reputation for being sexually adventurous. And Cruising for sex epitomises this. A bang in a bedroom can be boring. Why not mix it up with a sausage-athon in a public space? Or perhaps saunter down to the woods in search of a fast, furious, anonymous encounter. Gay Cruising is as much about the thrill of the hunt as the pounding.

Cruising is one of those delicious words that belong to gay men in the know. Mention you’re up for a bit of cruising to heterosexuals and they’ll likely think you’ve booked an all-inclusive voyage on an ocean liner. You may indeed be about to go up The Nile. Just not in the way so-called ‘respectable’ people think. Cruising is gay slang for seeking sex in cruising grounds. These are frequently outside. But Cruising also happens in sex clubs. And public toilets. More on those shenanigans below. The term was popularised in the 1960s. But gay men have been cruising forever. Just look at the Mollies in 18th Century London. Not to mention those gorgeous Greeks and rampant Romans. Gay Cruising is intricately linked with legislation. Back when homosexuality was illegal, it was one of the few ways men could meet and get frisky with one another. But the march towards gay rights and equality still hasn’t killed off this ancient and sacred art. And you’ll find active cruising grounds all across the world.

Discretion is everything when it comes to Gay Cruising. Why? Because public sex remains illegal. This means that cruising often occurs under the cover of darkness. Or in scraps of park and woodland away from families having civilised little picnics. There is frequently a prelude to whipping out one’s chopper. An intricate and subtle code of signals for gay men in the know. A nod. A wink. A glance over one’s shoulder. A carefully placed hand caressing one’s bulging crotch. And then the all-important come hither look as you beckon him into the depths of the forest.

Cottaging is another form of cruising. It’s just the location that differs. In this case, you get your rocks off within the confines of a public toilet. Where Gloryholes abound. The term cottaging also goes back to Britain in the 1960s. The action-packed toilets were and are still known amongst gay men as cottages. Meanwhile, in the U.S., they’re called Tearooms. Perfect to pop into for an afternoon's milking. Check out international Gay Cruising grounds on Gays.com.