Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

Cruising & Cottaging: Sex in Public Places

Sep 17, 2024

Dr. Jeff Meek, a lecturer in economic and social history at the University of Glasgow, dives into the intriguing world of cottaging. He reveals how public toilets became secretive meeting spots for the LGBTQ+ community, packed with hidden signals and risks. The conversation explores the historical suppression of homosexuality in Britain and the complexities surrounding public sex and its legal challenges. Dr. Meek also sheds light on the intertwining of sex work and crime, further uncovering the intricate dynamics of privacy, intimacy, and societal norms.

39:23

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Jeff Meek

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Quick takeaways

Cottaging emerged as a crucial practice for the gay community in the early 20th century, providing a discreet escape from societal stigma and legal threats.

Participants developed elaborate codes and signals for safe communication in public toilets, adapting their methods to navigate evolving police tactics and legal dangers.

Deep dives

The Emergence of Cottaging Culture

Cottaging, defined as the practice of using public toilets for sexual assignations, became prominent in the early 20th century as venues for the gay community. With the societal stigma surrounding homosexuality, public toilets offered a semblance of privacy and discretion necessary for men to meet, often at great personal risk. These spaces evolved from simple public facilities to 'cottages,' allowing for clandestine encounters, which were coupled with the need for secret signals or codes to navigate the dangers of legal repercussions. This practice reflected an urgent need for connection in a time when traditional venues for companionship were nonexistent or prohibitive, highlighting the resilience and ingenuity of the LGBTQ+ community in securing spaces for sexual expression.

Intro

3min

Secrets in the Stall: The History of Cottaging in Britain

10min

Public Sex: Legal Consequences and Historical Perspectives

7min

Cottaging in 19th Century Scotland

14min

The Intersection of Sex Work and Crime: A Historical Perspective

2min

Cottaging: Gender, Space, and Sexuality

6min

Engagement and Insurance Offers in Podcast Conclusion

2min

With privacy being a modern luxury, where did people in the past go to meet and hook up? Public toilets were (and can still be) a popular option.

But what were secret signals? And what were the risks? Especially if, like many of the people who did it, you were part of the gay community.

Joining Kate today is Dr. Jeff Meek, lecturer in economic and social history at the University of Glasgow, to take her into this world and help us find out.

You can find out more about Jeff's work at https://queerscotland.com/.

This episode was edited by Tom Delargy. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.

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Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.

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