The cinema scene of the late 1970s and early 80s had endured something of an assault by Hollywood-inflamed homophobia (see mostly forgotten films like The Choirboys, Windows and Partners for examples… or don’t).
In hindsight, it makes total sense that William Friedkin’s Cruising – based on the synopsis alone and a perfectly reasonable concern for how the LGBT community would be depicted – inspired picketing and boycotts before it was even completed. The story of a sexually-confused serial killer picking off promiscuous, leather-clad hunks – not to mention a straight police officer whose mere exposure to gay nightlife leads to what could be interpreted by the uninformed masses as a potential “conversion” – didn’t sit well with activists of the day (even helmed, for better or worse, by the guy who brought The Boys in the Band to the big screen).
