It's no secret that gay men still enjoy the thrill of cruising for sex

With apps gaining more traction, we explore the pleasures, politics, and complexities of a favoured gay pastime

In October 1998, shortly after his arrest for engaging in a public sexual encounter with another man in a Los Angeles park, the late singer George Michael released the hit single 'Outside,' which served as a musical celebration of public sex. In the song, Michael expresses his desire to break free from conventional spaces, singing lines like, "I think I’m done with the sofa/I think I’m done with the hall/I think I’m done with the kitchen table, baby." He openly acknowledges his constant preoccupation with this aspect of his life, stating, "You see I think about it all the time, 24/7." The song closes with a subtle nod to fellow cruisers, encouraging them to "Keep on funkin', just keep on funkin'." 

As a musical response to heteronormativity, the song's message is evident: queer life thrives when lived openly and authentically outside the constraints of societal norms.

Let's go outside

More than 20 years later, the landscape of queer life has undergone significant changes, with a noticeable shift towards more indoor experiences. This transformation is also reshaping the dynamics of gay neighbourhoods and communities at a rapid pace. Advances in digital technologies over the past decade have challenged and redefined established spatial norms in contemporary urban settings the world over. These changes are increasingly incorporating online spaces into the fabric of queer life.

One prominent manifestation of this transformation is the rise of online dating as well as sexual and hookup applications. These digital platforms have become integral to the way individuals in the LGBTQ+ community connect, socialise, and form relationships. The use of such apps has fundamentally altered the traditional notions of how and where queer individuals meet and interact with one another.

New Delhi-based professor Sumit Tarafdar, who recently completed his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan, says cities have historically served as spaces of immense sexual opportunity and exploration. "They have also been arenas where sexuality faces the most intense scrutiny. Throughout history, sexual minorities have grappled with the challenges of surveillance, criminalisation, and enduring prejudice, particularly within the contexts of homophobia and transphobia. Consequently, these marginalised communities have had to develop intricate strategies to navigate and negotiate both private and public spaces. Often, these strategies take on subversive or dissident forms as individuals seek to assert their identities and desires in the face of societal discrimination and repression," he says.

The Delhi experience

In Delhi, several cruising hotspots have faced abandonment or closure over time. However, it's important to note that these locations not only serve as a testament to the evolving landscape of Delhi's LGBTQIA+ community but also hold historical significance in the narrative of queer activism in India. 

Tarafdar says Nehru Park holds a distinctive place in the memories of those who frequented it during its heyday. "The five-star Ashoka Hotel, perched nearby, offered its guests a unique vantage point—a bird's-eye view of the vibrant late-evening gatherings that unfolded within the park's confines. This spot served as a magnet for gay men from diverse backgrounds, spanning diplomats to wanderers. A particular rock, strategically located near the hanging bridge, emerged as the preferred meeting spot for young men hailing from St. Stephen's College. It was here, especially on Sunday evenings, that the park came alive, drawing a substantial crowd and becoming a hub of social activity within Delhi's LGBTQIA+ community," he says, adding that one might still find the occasional cruiser here, but they are few and far between. 

In cruise control

Shashank, another New Delhi native, says Central Park at Connaught Place was once a popular cruising spot. "Though it may have somewhat waned in popularity over time, this area was once a well-known cruising spot and played a pivotal role in sparking India's first public demonstration by queer men that garnered significant media coverage," he says, adding, "And then there's the Anand Vihar Inter-state Bus Terminus, which still serves as a point for individuals seeking brief, casual encounters with fellow travellers passing through the area," he says.

A few months ago, an incident occurred to Shashank while he was in Nehru Park. Although he was aware of the park's notoriety, his purpose for being there was unrelated to that reputation. "I couldn't help but notice a particular individual who repeatedly walked past me. Eventually, he managed to capture my attention and led me toward a densely vegetated area. There, he paused briefly, as if waiting for me and then vanished into the foliage.

Curiosity got the better of Shashank, who decided to follow him from a distance discreetly. To his astonishment, the 24-year-old observed him engaging in inappropriate behaviour through his clothing. Succumbing to the intrigue of the moment, Shashank cautiously ventured further into the foliage and engaged in a handjob with him. "It did give me a rush, but such activities are not something I actively seek out due to their significant legal risks. If caught, I could still be registered as a sex offender," he tells The Established. 

Intimacy in Imphal

Thirty-year-old Nivo, who currently lives in Imphal, Manipur, believes as far as sexuality and intimacy go in a place like Imphal, there is an intricately layered case, deeply intertwined with the nuances of cultural context and personal experience. In a place like Manipur, discussions surrounding intimacy, sex, and sexuality are still considered taboo, further complicating matters.

"My own journey through this complex terrain began in a small town in Manipur, where I had little exposure to intimacy and sexuality. Everything changed when I relocated to Imphal and, subsequently, to Delhi. In these urban environments, I found myself in relationships, navigating a multifaceted connection with intimacy and sexuality. These two cities, so distant from my roots, began to shape my understanding of these aspects of life," he says. 

According to Nivo, intimacy is a multifaceted and adaptable phenomenon, taking on various forms, nuances, and levels of intensity. "In the public sphere, one is invariably conscious of the environment, the watchful eyes of others, and the ever-present apprehension of being exposed or criticised for engaging in acts of intimacy. However, despite these constraints, intimacy often finds ingenious and discreet avenues to manifest itself: a subtle touch of fingers, meaningful eye contact, the gentle pursing of lips, or even a simple yet suggestive wink," he says. 

Till date, there exists a distinct and somewhat clandestine structure for navigating and sustaining cruising spaces. Surprisingly, even authorities in Manipur possess an awareness of this structure, yet it remains an unspoken and largely unprosecuted practice. "Individuals skillfully manage to interact without drawing any undesired attention. They discreetly make their way to a nearby seedy hotel room, where they briefly satisfy each other's sexual desires. This scenario highlights the intricate dance that occurs within these spaces, where individuals navigate a delicate balance between secrecy and desire, even in the presence of external scrutiny," says Nivo.

Small-town pleasures

In Siliguri, a tier-2 city situated in the northern region of West Bengal, Cinema Paradiso offers gay men the opportunity to cruise. In an article for Vice in 2018, journalist Diwash Gahatraj documents his experience at the cinema hall, which gained notoriety for its continuous screening of mainstream Hindi and Bangla films since the 1970s. He says the cinema has evolved into a sanctuary for gay and bisexual men in Siliguri. Many gay men, particularly those from a working-class background, choose the morning show as an opportunity for intimate encounters without fearing interference. Neither the police nor the theatre authorities disrupt these couples.

Despite cruising still being a popular mode of hooking up for many gay men in India's small towns, there appears to be room for a reevaluation of the definition of public spaces for users of location-based apps. A perceptible shift in concept is unfolding, one that seems to relocate gay and bisexual public spaces to the domestic sphere of homes, facilitated by popular location-based apps that streamline and privatise social or sexual encounters. However, it is conceivable to reinterpret the interactions facilitated by location-based media as not inherently 'private' and not a complete rejection of the 'public' sphere but rather as a fusion of the two realms. 

Post-lockdown model

Tarafdar believes we must adopt a more adaptable perspective regarding a post-gayborhood world. In the current global context, where entire societies continue to grapple with the repercussions of the Coronavirus pandemic, the notion of gay cruising has shifted to spas that offer happy endings or organised orgies by hosts with a penchant for something risqué. "Despite technology taking over, individuals and collectives may still be inspired to cruise by the memories, representations, and imaginaries previously provided by these erstwhile places," he says. 

The full impact of the pandemic on queer communities and the commercial establishments that thrive on close contact, face-to-face interactions, and intimate socialising is still being comprehended. It is plausible that the 'scene' in many cities in India may remain subdued either temporarily or permanently. In such a scenario, digital technologies will serve as a crucial resource for queer encounters, catering to an exceptionally diverse range of users and communities. 

It appears increasingly likely that we will encounter a myriad of spatial and conceptual configurations: the fresh air and the outdoors reminiscent of George Michael's pop song, coexisting with the 'inside' life we have now become accustomed to; the 'online' realm of dating apps intertwined with the 'offline' experience of a gay bar—or perhaps a blend of all these elements, remixed and reconfigured to suit the evolving needs and preferences of the queer community.

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