In her book on the Erotic Thriller, Linda Ruth Williams interviews William Friedkin about the production of Cruising. Among other things, Friedkin claims that the main inspiration for the film was not the book with the same name by Gerald Walker, but a series of columns by Village Voice writer Arthur Bell, who apparently covered homicides taking place at the clubs Friedkin would later shoot in. Bell later joined others in vehemently denouncing the film.

To start, look at "Looking for Mr. Gaybar," Village Voice, 24 January 1977, p19, 20.