Tips for gay cruising

If you’re cruising outdoor spots like the Belmont Rocks, go during daylight or early evening hours in summer when other people are around.

How do seasons affect cruising safety in Chicago?

Summer (June – September) is generally safest for outdoor cruising because there are more people out, better visibility with longer daylight hours, and you’re not isolated.

Will you avoid leaving with strangers if you’ve had more than two drinks? If you do cruise outdoors, never go alone and stick to well-lit, populated areas.

What should I do if I feel unsafe while cruising?

Trust your instinct immediately. They don’t tell friends where they’re going because they don’t want to admit they’re hooking up.

Market Days in August brings massive crowds to Halsted. However, apps aren’t foolproof—people lie, use fake photos, and can still be dangerous. “That might be because they’re in a relationship, or on the DL, or maybe they just think it’s hot.” It’s hard to deny that anonymous hookups are especially hot — the risk of the unknown is a big part of why many people enjoy anonymous hookups.

That’s actually good news for safety—if you use it right.

Before meeting up with someone from an app:

• Verify they’re real: ask for a live photo or FaceTime
• Check their profile for red flags: no face pics, brand new account, overly pushy about meeting immediately
• Share your location with a trusted friend using iPhone’s “Find My” or Google Maps location sharing
• Tell someone where you’re going and who you’re meeting—send them a screenshot of the profile
• Meet in a public place first if possible, even just for 10 minutes at Berlin or Scarlet before heading elsewhere

If someone refuses to verify their identity or gets angry when you ask basic safety questions, that’s your answer.

But it’s also isolated, especially after dark, with limited lighting and plenty of places for someone with bad intentions to corner you.

Same goes for cruising on Clark Street near the Hollywood Beach area or parts of Lincoln Park. You don’t have to figure this out alone.