George Michael is not the first famous man to be arrested for an offence in a public lavatory. That in turn guaranteed a high rate of convictions in the local magistrates court and an improved crime clear- up rate. Even until the mid-1990s the Metropolitan Police would organise major cottaging sweeps that would net dozens of men in one short cost-effective operation.
The lessening of the taboo of having sex in cottages and cruising grounds is relatively recent. The place has also developed quite a social atmosphere with some people just come along to socialise without any intentions of having sex," he adds. But the police are always available if there is any sign of queerbashing, and people generally accept what goes on up there. "The main problem we suffer is complaints from the locals about the amount of condom litter found on the Heath the next morning. "We have a very good relationship with the local police in case there are any problems with the cruisers up on Hampstead Heath at night," says Jamie Taylor of the group Gay Men Fighting Aids, which provides safer sex advice and condoms at the country's most famous cruising ground. And the survey's finding that just over 75 per cent of those questioned also regularly visit gay social venues and groups somewhat destroys the myth that cottagers are sad, closeted individuals who are unable to come to terms with their sexuality. Twenty per cent of those questioned started cottaging between the ages of 10 and 14, and 32 per cent started between the ages of 15 and 19. More than 200 men were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire, and the results are eye-opening. This month sees the publication of a survey of men who cottage in north London by the Aids Education Unit of Barnet Healthcare NHS Trust. Sex in public lavatories in the UK is routinely sought by two distinct groups: openly gay men who also frequent gay pubs and clubs and boys and teenagers keen to explore their sexuality. Recent research suggests that the stereotypical image of the cottager being either an elderly or closeted, and invariably married, man is misleading. And it's the very stuff of life, don't you think?" You don't know what or who you might find next. Henry isn't moved by that argument: "I even dream about cottaging.