"So my question is, if you were alive when this movie came out, did you feel the same way?"

Since you ask...

I saw Cruising as a straight, 23 year old film lover with perhaps a handful of strangers in an afternoon showing. And much of what I saw (in the referenced bar scene) was entirely new to me in a pre-internet time.

I'd visited numerous gay bars, but nothing remotely like that one.

But as I was someone who was 19 before I lost my virginity, I was never the most sexually knowledgeable person in my circle of friends. But I distinctly remember knowing that the behavior presented was not necessarily what would be defined as "typical gay male sex". Perhaps having dozens of gay friends made a difference in perception, though I prefer to think I would never be judgemental of the actions of consenting adults.

I know this isn't really your question, but seeing the film as I did was an important step in my human growth/education, no matter how poorly or inaccurately it may have been presented. The film, despite its issues, has stayed with me.

So, James, I thank you for asking (even if you didn't exactly...)