on the safety of cruising..

Which is safer, to cruise for sex in public or to navigate the gay scene?

You browse endless profiles on the internet and mobile applications where each part of your body is thoroughly scrutinized before you're approved. You go out with your gay friends to meet other gay friends. You're anxious what impression you're making, and if the hottie would choose you or your best friend to spend the night with. You run into an ex date, ex fuck or ex boyfriend, and it stirs all sorts of emotional baggage. Isn't that risk? Isn't that damaging and harmful? It's a nerve wrecking, emotionally draining process.

There's safety within the risk of cruising. While cruising you don't have to deal with this. Your body is more accepted and people are much less pickier. The focus is on pleasure and instant gratification. An instantaneous agreement on mutual stimulation is developed. You leave in silence without having to say anything, or you just say 'see you' and move away in peace.

If the motive is to have sex and fleeting intimacy, why would I choose the structures built by/for the gay community? I'd rather cruise on the street, public transport and toilets.

We know it's dangerous. There's a good reason why we keep doing it. It's emotionally safer and it's usually more rewarding. We may get mugged, attacked or arrested, but we also feel unsafe mingling around so-called comrades and potential mates.