A beat is a public place where men meet for sex. Many men use beats as a way of meeting other men – it is a practice that has been around for centuries!

Many men find meeting this way satisfying both sexually and socially. Beats can be certain ‘known’ public toilets, parks, bushlands and even beaches. Sometimes either out of necessity or choice men at beats have sex without a word being passed between them.

Laws surrounding sex in public places are a little unclear. Basically, it is okay to have sex in public so long as you cannot be reasonably discovered by a passer-by. So make sure you stay away from pathways and roads.

There are a number of apps in which you can locate well-known beats. More built up metropolitan areas will typically have a lot more options but even in regional/rural areas you can almost always find a beat or two. It may even be a good idea to visit a beat that is outside your area just in case you bump into someone you know!

There are of course dangers to look out for and a number of ways you can keep safe when visiting a beat. The following tips will help you.

• Try to avoid visiting beats when you are drunk or on drugs as your judgment and intuition will be impaired.
• Leave your wallet and valuables at home. Although unlikely, homophobic attacks at beats can happen – and theft is also a possibility. You also probably don’t want anyone finding your ID laying around if you were to lose it.
• If you can, let someone know you are going to a beat.
• Wear appropriate clothes and shoes that do not impair your comfort or ability to run.
• Park your car in a discreet place.
• Know your surroundings – have an exit route, or know the way to safety just in case you need to escape danger quickly.
• Do not wear earplugs or headphones – you need to be able to hear what is happening around you.
• Take condoms and water-based lube with you and use them if you engage in anal sex. You won’t know the other guy you’re having sex with, so better to be safe. If not using a condom, it is highly recommended that you take PrEP or PEP to protect yourself from HIV.
• Make sure you always dispose of condoms, lube sachets, etc. correctly. These are public places and disrespecting the area can lead to increased police presence.
• Always make sure you respect others and get consent before doing anything. Just because someone is there does not automatically indicate consent to you, just as you may not necessarily want to have sex with just anyone at the beat. If no words are being shared, look for communication through body-language and eye-contact.

This will undoubtedly be a little daunting on your first and maybe even fifth time around. Although it is important to have your wits about you, make sure you have fun too! If you decide beats are not for you, there are also plenty of other places you can try such as clubs and sex on premises venues (SOPVs).