Story by: Deborah Armusewicz
    Alex Vessels
Photos by: Alex Vessels     

     Cruisingforsex.com is a place "where sex is both our pleasure and our mission." Cruising is a term used to describe the act of gay men looking for random sexual encounters. The Web site consists of an extensive listing of hotspots all around the nation where gay men can anonymously knock boots. Cruising for sex on college campuses is apparently such a widespread practice that it is a completely different section of the site. So vast is cruising that James Madison was listed along with many other Virginia schools such as Virginia Tech and University of Virginia. JMU's listing includes comprehensive directions and advice.

     Two main areas were listed - Warren Hall and the Medical Arts building. Warren was particularly noted for having a "cruisy toilet" on the third floor. The Web site reports, "Lots of action while classes are in session. Sometimes high traffic area, usually move to third floor restrooms for more privacy." Just so there is no confusion, the site provides directions to the Godwin parking lot and how to get to Warren from there.

     When we heard about this phenomenon, we were intrigued. We told our staff about it and asked for someone to volunteer to go undercover and investigate. Not surprisingly, there were no enthusiatic takers. However, that Saturday when we were enjoying brunch at D-hall, a Turf staff member approached us and informed us that downstairs in the D-hall's men's room, there was graffitti pertaining to Warren Hall and cruising. After we finished eating, we went downstairs to check it out. Sure enough, on the inside of the first stall door, there was a crude inscription saying, "Want a slow bj, winter/spring 2001, Warren M-F 2-2:30."

     Now our sick curiosity was really sparked! We raced through the rain over to Warren to see what we might find in the bathroom in question. Alex went in first to make sure the coast was clear, but he quickly came back out upon realizing that a stall door was shut. We pondered what our next move should be. Far be it from us to bother someone while nature was taking its course. We decided to peek in again, just to make sure there was actually someone in there. As we crept back in, we spotted black hiking boots behind the closed door! With a shout, we turned and ran back out, wet sneakers squeaking. In his haste, Alex accidentally elbowed the hand dryer and the bathroom was filled with the roar of hot air.

     Frantically, we ran all the way outside and tried to collect our bearings. We know knew that there was someone in there and that the individual had been in there for at least 15 minutes, but we still weren't sure if they were truly handling their business, or if they were on a real live cruise. We asked ourselves the obvious questions: Were his pants bunched around his ankles? No. Was there any tell-tale odor? No. We had a hunch about what might be taking place.

     Feeling brave, we went back in. Our plan was to wait and see just who exited the bathroom. At this point, the suspect had been in there for at least 20 minutes. We crossed our fingers that we hadn't scared the alleged cruiser away. After a few moments of loitering around the information desk, we heard the door open. The moment of truth was about to be revealed.

     Clad in black jeans, a camoflauge jacket and a filthy baseball cap, a man of approximately 40 years of age with a mustache strode toward us. But as soon as he spotted us around the corner, he pivoted on his heel and busted through the doors and took off running down the stairs. We weren't about to let this one get away! We took the outside stairs two at a time, hoping to head him off on the second floor. Sure enough, there he was, trotting toward the post office. As soon as we came through the door, he picked up the pace and put some distance between us. He was frantically turning around to see if we were gaining on him. Time was on his side, and he ducked through the door leading to the TDU stairs.

     We refused to be duped by this old trick, and we ran to the end of the hall to the stairs leading outside. We exploded through the doors just in time to see him running into the parking lot and scrambling into a Bronco with Va. plates and a Confederate flag sticker on the back window. Out of breath and out of luck, we were forced to give up the chase. Now, you can draw whatever conclusions you choose, but we are convinced we caught a cruiser in the act. We never expected to find this here on our own campus.We asked sophomore Marla Wilson, a Harmony co-coordinator, for her take on this kind of activity.

     "I am proud to report that the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered (LGBT) community boasts a populuation just as diverse as our heterosexual counterparts," she said.

     "It follows that LGBT people people are just as varied in their expressions of sexual identity. It is my observation that these subcultures arise on both ends of the sexuality spectrum. This is a case of whatever floats your boat," Wilson said.

      While this is not typical or characteristic behavior of gay men, it is disgusting no matter who is doing it. Go to your own bathroom if that's what turns you on. In our outrage, we sent staff reporter Yaser Al-Keliddar to the Warren bathroom on random afternoons between 2 and 2:30. He dutifully waited in the bathroom, thumbing through a copy of Maxim. His patience yielded nothing, not even a smack on the ass. Our makeshift citizens' taskforce on hunting down cruisers seemed to have been effective. You can thank us later! Unless he's sitting at the Medical Arts building right now...