Campaigners lobbying for an end to cruising on Hampstead Heath are at loggerheads with gay activists who claim the site is part of their cultural heritage.
The West Heath area of the park has been a well-known cruising spot, where gay men meet for anonymous sex, since the 19th century when homosexuality was illegal.
Now local campaigners are urging dog walkers to "reclaim" the area by encouraging them to walk their pets through the zone. Signs have also been placed around the North London park stating: "This is not a cruising ground," while another reads: "Cruising for sex? Homosexuality is legal. Use a hook-up app like Grindr or Sniffies and get a room."
The signs further encourage dog walkers to "walk in the red area" and to "take back West Heath."
However, a group of gay rights activists have organised a demonstration against moves to clamp down on cruising, arguing the signs "embolden homophobes."
The gay protesters' leader Dan Glass told the New Camden Journal: “It's homophobic, it's saying that queer people can't do what is legally and rightfully theirs, to have public displays of affection.”
Pictures on social media showed the "sodomites' march," with several protesters baring their bottoms while posing by what they referred to as "the f*** tree."
They waved banners reading "Take me to the f*** tree" and "Release the pups."
Mr Glass added: "These posters, whilst on the one hand they are ridiculously hilarious, they’re also very dangerous – and it’s dangerous the culture that they perpetuate. I want to explain to the people who made the posters how deeply concerning it is what they have done.
"They embolden homophobes and that makes us so far from freedom in our community. Cruising is often for people who don’t have access to a community. It is a life-saving thing and a vital part of building a community for people who have none."
Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, while sexual activity in public toilets remains an offence, sex in other public places is not—provided it is unwitnessed and there is not a reasonable chance of members of the public seeing what is happening. If witnessed, individuals could face charges of outraging public decency.
Hampstead Heath is famously known for its cruising areas, and even celebrities have admitted to encounters there. Singer George Michael openly admitted cruising on the heath, telling the Richard and Judy Show in 2006 that it was "the only place where (the police accept it) so it's generally a safe place."
The park is managed by the City of London Corporation. A spokesperson 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.
"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."
