20 May 2009

Amsterdam park posts sign to warn of 'gay cruising'

After receiving complaints from passers-by about sexual activities taking place in a park, district officials decide to warn unsuspecting park users by putting up a sign.

A park in southwest Amsterdam has introduced information signs pointing out areas where gay cruising takes place and men have sex with other men, reported Radio Netherlands Worldwide.

District officials interviewed revealed that the sign was put up in De Oeverlanden park after passers-by complained of sexual activities taking place in the park. The sign also suggests where children can play and people can walk their dogs.

Paulus de Wilt, an Slotervaart District official, was quoting as saying that they had come to the decision with the local chapter of the COC, Holland's main organisation for gays and lesbians, with safety being the main consideration. An increasingly number of cases involving robberies and violence in the park has recently been reported.

The city council of Slotervaart, a district in southwest Amsterdam, decided to post the signs after receiving complaints from passers-by about the sexual activities taking place in the park which has been known for decades as a gay cruising area.

"It's our duty as a city council to warn people about what's happening here."

When asked about the legality of sexual activities in the park, she said that it's up to a judge to decide. "As far as I know, it's not illegal if it doesn't happen in the open." When asked by the reporter if it would not be a problem if it's in the bushes, she quipped, "As far as I'm concerned, that's right."

Netherlands