Horrified dogwalkers have launched a campaign to reclaim Hampstead Heath from gay ‘cruisers’ who claim the site is their ‘cultural right’.
Signs put up on the western side of the north London park read ‘Cruising for sex? Homosexuality is legal. Use a hook up app like Grindr or Sniffies and get a room’.
It also had a map of the park with a red circle labelled ‘This is not a cruising ground’.
The poster encouraged dog walkers and residents to ‘walk in the red area’ and to ‘take back West Heath’.
The term refers to the practice where individuals, often in public spaces, seek out sexual encounters with others.
Yet this has led to protests from homosexuals who claim it is part of a wider cultural movement and said the sign ’embolden homophobes’.
Gay protesters have marched on the area holding signs such as ‘take me to the f*** tree’ and ‘release the pups’.
The gay protesters’ leader Dan Glass said: ‘It’s homophobic, it’s saying that queer people can’t do what is legally and rightfully theirs, to have public displays of affection.’
Gay protesters hold a sign reading ‘take me to the f*** tree’, a tree where cruisers have sex beside
The signs put up on the western side of the north London park read ‘Cruising for sex? Homosexuality is legal. Use a hook up app like Grindr or Sniffies and get a room’.
Demonstrators took with the streets to protest what they call ‘homophobic’ signs
They stood with signs saying ‘This is a cruising ground, enjoy yourselves’
Pictures shared on social media show several men exposing their bottoms – while police officers stood by – and signs read ‘This is a cruising ground, enjoy yourself’ – while posing by what they call the ‘f*** tree’.
Mr Glass told the Camden New Journal the demonstration would people walking the perimeter of the ‘no cruising zone’ and that ‘some people will be cruising, will be having sex and there will be quite a lot of snogging’ in a ‘display of queer love, intimacy and affection’.
He has said the practice is a safe way for ‘sexual exploration’ on social media.
He wrote in one of his posts: ‘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. ‘
He went on to claim that ‘cruising’ has been an ‘age-old enlightened response to a fascist environment’.
He said: ‘When bigotry strikes queer culture it is often an indicator of what is to come as anyone outside the confines of dominator culture pose a threat to maintaining the status quo of order, control and power.’
The row is centred around on a section of land in West Heath which protesters say is just around one acre which has been used for the activity for years and argue that they should be able to carry on using it while dog walkers and residents can use the other 790 or so acres.
Protesters hold their signs beside the so-called ‘f*** tree’ on Hampstead Heath
In front of four police officers, a blindfolded man felt another man’s exposed backside
Other men also joined in the antics at the ‘cruising’ spot in the London park
The ‘f***’ tree (pictured) was one of the sites used by protesters at the demonstrator as its often used for ‘cruising’
Pictures shared on social media show several men exposing their bottoms – while police officers stood by – while signs read ‘This is a cruising ground, enjoy yourself’
Pictures shared on social media show several men exposing their bottoms – while police officers stood by
Police just watched by as the protest happened where men exposed themselves
Historically, men have been ‘cruising’ on the site 19th century and 200 years later it remains one of Europe’s most notorious spots. It started as a response to sodomy and indecency laws
According to the Sexual Offences Act 2003, sexual activity in public toilets is still an offence however sex in other public places is not – unless it’s witnessed or there’s a reasonable chance that members of the public might see what is happening.
Should this happen this could lead to people being charged with outraging public decency.
The act itself must have taken place in public and must have been seen by two people or more.
Social media videos shared by the activist, several protesters are seen talking about why they prefer this activity, rather than going the traditional route of using dating apps.
One man said: ‘You don’t always want to go through the bother of going to an app and meeting someone and then facing someone. This is completely instantaneous. It’s totally anonymous.
‘A lot of gay men like, for whatever reason, anonymous sex. I’ve never been ashamed, I’m always proud.’
This has caused outrage with many walkers and residents saying the tradition is outdated as homosexuality is now legal.
Group of people protesting at the London park over the weekend
Group of protesters last weekend demanding to be able to have sex in West Heath
One person wrote on social media: ‘We wouldn’t say it was okay for straight people to go dogging in public parks, but gay men get a pass because… it’s traditional or something? I honestly don’t get it.
‘Some sort of halo of progressive virtue? Gay sex isn’t inherently progressive or virtuous, and it’s sort of weird to treat it like it is.
‘I’m with the huffy locals on this one, actually. Get a room.’
Another user also shared the opinion of the original post, saying: ‘I agree with whoever wrote this – anti-social behaviour is anti social behaviour, regardless of history or ‘culture’.
‘Thankfully, it is not the 1980s anymore and there is no need to perpetuate what was once kind of necessary’.
Another user asked what about the sign was homophobic and it was pointed it was ‘trying to ban an allowed activity’.
The user replied, saying: ‘It is because children are being exposed to grown men having sex, and many of them leave behind their bodily fluids as well as needles that they’ve used to inject. Acting like this is homophobic is deliberately obtuse.’
They added: ‘[The area of the park] was used as a cruising area discreetly and typically after dark, and people did not leave anything behind.
‘The problem has exacerbated in recent years and this now happens at all times of day.
‘Why should people not be allowed to take their children to a public parkland? Are they supposed to avoid the entire area in fear of running into these men?’
Meanwhile, another said: ‘I don’t think the sign is homophobic to be honest. It’s just pointing out a fact and that sex in public isn’t cool.’
Celebrities in the past have confessed to enjoying the thrill of doing it outside and among the woods.
George Michael, the singer, was one of the most famous stars to take part in it, telling the Richard and Judy Show in 2006 that it was ‘the only place in where (the police accept it) so it’s generally a safe place’.
Lucy Marsh, from the Family Education Trust, told MailOnline: ‘Hampstead Heath is a much-loved public park and a green space that is enjoyed by families, especially those who don’t have their own gardens.
‘Parents should be able to enjoy a walk or a picnic without worrying about them seeing gay men having sex in a public place.
‘It’s not ‘bigoted’ to believe that people should not be engaging in sexual fetishes in public, especially in a park where children are likely to be present.
‘How have we got to a point in society where these men think it’s acceptable not only to openly cruise for sex with strangers but to display their fetishes in the form of a public protest in front of families?
‘We need to bring back the concept of common decency (and shame) as it seems to be missing in those who are promoting this kind of appalling behaviour!’
A spokesman for the City of London Corporation, which manages the park as well as Hampstead Heath Constabulary said: ‘Hampstead Heath is one of London’s most cherished green spaces. It is a site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation and home to a rich variety of wildlife and habitats.
‘We manage the Heath as a charity, and are committed to balancing conservation, maintaining public access, and the safety of all visitors. We want to ensure it remains a welcoming space for everyone and encourage all visitors to use the Heath respectfully and considerately.
‘We are actively taking a partnership-based approach to promote positive behaviour and community safety.’
It added: ‘Officers from the Hampstead Heath Constabulary were present to monitor the situation, ensure public safety, and respond appropriately to any behaviour that may cause concern to the public.’
MailOnline approached Dan Glass for comment.