The Hampstead Heath cruising community have hit back at dog walkers who put up protest posters last month.
The demonstrators congregated at Jack Straw’s Castle on Sunday afternoon to celebrate an activity, engaging in sexual acts in public places, which dates back to the 19th Century, in a tongue-and-cheek march titled The Sodomites Walk 2025.
A series of speeches got the ball rolling, punctuated by occasional chants of “Whose Heath? Our Heath”, before the western section of the park was officially reopened as a cruising ground by burning a sparkling golden banner with a cheap BIC lighter.
One of the campaigners, who asked to remain anonymous, was adamant that the tradition was as essential to the queer experience as it had been before homosexuality was decriminalised in 1967.
They said: “It’s a world that exists outside of the toxicity of modern day apps and sexual categorisation.
“Queers have continued to enjoy this outdoor pastime under the harsh police raids, undercover busts and queer-bashing.
“Whilst the reasons may be nuanced and many, what is for sure is that many vital parts of queer experiences and expression happen here in the safety of nature.
“I’m sure many who walk their dogs have also enjoyed the pleasures and pastimes of George Michael just like us today.
“So next time you’re outside, give it a go.”
The walk was organised ACT UP London, an HIV/AIDS campaign which fights against the barriers to healthcare and sees AIDS as a political crisis borne out of sexual repression and institutionalised homophobia, and This is My Culture, a movement honouring the legacy of sexual freedom left by late Wham! singer Michael.
Activist Dan Glass is heavily involved in both, and stressed the importance of the community coming together in response to the posters.
He said: “It’s really dangerous because it’s a process of othering and discrimination.
“If we don’t sexually express ourselves, we will end up internalising.
“Cruising has been a response to institutionalised homophobia for centuries and it’s really important that we continue to express our right to live freely as long as it’s not harming anyone else.
“We need more places to act as a release valve for the pressures of homophobia.”
His thoughts were echoed by fellow ACT UP activist Patrick Braithwaite, who also brought attention to the mental and physical health risks of banning cruising.
He said: “We’ve got an epidemic going on with chemsex culture, and there are a lot of queer people having sex parties in dingy rooms and really awful circumstances, wasting away and dying.
“The last thing we need is to take away the face-to-face interaction of coming out in the sunshine, like we are today, and meeting each other in real life.
“It’s a lifeline for some people. We don’t need to put more people onto apps, where the first thing you’re going to get asked is ‘H&H?’ (slang for high and horny).”
The walk drew to a halt in a bright clearing in the woods, where the celebrations and dancing continued, but their message remained clear.
Self-described ‘eco-sexual’ Miqx, who represented the movement F*** for Forests, was there rooting for the environmental benefits of cruising.
They said: “We believe that f***ing for forests is really a message to the whole of humanity that we can reclaim nature as part of ourselves.
“We want nature to be free from commercial activities and exploitation.
“This is about spirituality, because by enjoying ourselves in nature, we actually connect with living organisms of the Earth – in the soil, the plants, the trees – these are all vital living creatures.
“By connecting our regenerative activity with theirs, we’re actually helping the planet to grow.”
The City of London Police, City of London Corporation and Metropolitan Police were contacted for comment.
Pictures: Joe Mannion
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