In Australia, the term beat is used to refer to an area frequented by gay men and non-gay-identifying men who have sex with men (MSM) who are cruising for casual sex, and where sexual acts occur. This use of the word parodies the beat walked by a police officer or a prostitute. Most commonly, public toilets, parks, and nightclubs are used as beats, though quite often a suburban car park becomes a beat once night falls. Sex researchers have found that a considerable proportion of men who use "beats" are MSMs rather than gay-identifying. This is possibly because, whilst gay men have a plethora of venues for meeting legitimately, MSMs - who are often closeted - do not risk being observed in (or reported as attending) gay venues.
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History
Although little is known about beats in the early colonial and Federation periods, it is known that specific areas in larger cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have recorded histories of use for this purpose through the 20th century to the present (Moore 1995).
Social and sexual behaviour in beats
Presently, beats are known to be actively used by men who have sex with men. Due to the casual nature of most of the encounters, beats have been identified as areas of high risk for the transmission of HIV, syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections.[1][2]
Law
Engaging in sexual activity in a public place is against the law in all States and Territories. Police have been criticised for excessive patrolling of known beats, and the defence of entrapment is commonly used by those caught when charged. However, people using beats are also more likely to be subject to homophobic hate crimes and other general crimes than gay men who don't use beats,[3] prompting some to welcome the police presence (Moore 1995). In Sydney at least, gay beats have attracted some attention from some sections of the media. This has led to a police presence at those identified.
See also
References
- ^ Iveson, Kurt (2007), Publics and the city, Wiley-Blackwell, p. 107, ISBN 9781405127325, http://books.google.com/books?id=y_fc4GLrfDEC
- ^ Dowsett, G W; Davis, M (1992), Transgression and intervention : homosexually active men and beats, Macquarie University, AIDS Research Unit, OCLC 221628532
- ^ Callaghan, Greg (2007), Bondi badlands: the definitive story of Sydney's gay hate murders, Allen & Unwin, p. 168, ISBN 9781741146196, http://books.google.com/books?id=RCBBYpxkjLIC
- Moore, Clive (1995), "Poofs in the Park: Documenting Gay "Beats" in Queensland, Australia", GLQ 2: 319-339
External links
- Queer Australia's list of beats by State
- Medical Journal of Australia 2005; 183 (4) - Epidemic syphilis among homosexually active men in Sydney
- The Anti-Violence Project's Sydney Safety Information
- Squirt's global listing of gay cruising areas
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