It is important to note that the following is not an endorsement of beat cruising. There are safer options to beat use. Check out our Cruising at Saunas section for more  info.

Beats work both day and night, in public toilets, parks, beaches, the car parks of these places and other places where guys can meet under the guise of being there for other purposes. But they are not regulated safe sex spaces and they are not equipped to handle sexual activity. Always remember to bring your own supply of in-date condoms and water-based lube like Wet Stuff if you are going to a beat for sex.

Most initial interactions at beats happen through loads of non-verbal communication – a look through a partial open cubicle door, a glance from the guy at the urinal beside you, a close pass as someone approaches you in a park, even the odd sniff from someone in a closed cubicle could mean they are cruising. But these are not hard and fast rules.

 There is always risk acting on these cues. And this is where the dangers can begin. At beats there have been documented bashings, vandalism, muggings and arrests. Remember, showing your cock, sucking or being sucked, fucking or being fucked in a public space IS BREAKING THE LAW. You will be charged and prosecuted. Even if you are not caught in the act, a police officer has the power to move you on if they have reasonable suspicion.

You can protect yourself at beats by being proactive and being prepared:

Always bring condoms and lube and dispose of them responsibly. Being drunk or in an altered state can increase the chances of being preyed on sexually and can make you a target for physical harm. Call a chat line or use the internet chat rooms instead of using a beat. Be sensible, tidy and discreet and a beat can go unnoticed by the community. Your vehicle is a target for theft and vandalism at beat car parks, especially at night. Keep it in sight. Do not approach a perpetrator alone. Call the police in that case. Keep your valuables and wallet at home to reduce the chance of theft. Run if you see someone suspicious, especially if they are in a group. If you are attacked, talk to someone about it. If you see someone being attacked make a noise in an attempt to scare the mugger off.

Just as with any other kind of cruising there are some simple things to remember:

• No means no – you don’t need to do anything you don’t want to do
• Be polite in your advances and rejections
• Don’t assume you can touch or join in just because you are in the space with other guys having sex
• Everyone has the right to stop at any point.

Many thanks to the Victorian AIDS Council for their resource The Cruising Guide. Please visit their website for more general information on cruising - http://www.vicaids.asn.au/outreach/cruising/.