LEATHER NIGHTS IN THE WOODS - HOMOSEXUAL ENCOUNTERS IN A DUTCH HIGHWAY REST AREA

This article describes a small-scale research on homosexual encounters in a Dutch highway rest area called ''the Mollebos.'' Research was ca rried out on Monday evenings and nights, the so-called ''leather night s,'' which attracted a specific group of patrons: men into leathersexu ality and sadomasochism (S&M). Participant observation, informal conve rsations, and in-depth interviews made it possible to analyze spatial strategy as used by cruising men and the individual meanings patrons a ttach to outdoor leather cruising. It was found that in the Netherland s cruisers are no longer members of ''a silent community.'' The leathe r nights in the woods proved to be an important supplement for the Dut ch gay leather and S&M scene. For many visitors they served as an erot ic space to realize sexual fantasies.