If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. That's what Dutch politico Paul van Grieken said when legalizing public gay sex in Amsterdam. Van Grieken argues that since gay men are going to have sex in the park regardless, the city should try to enforce some "strict rules".
Why should we try to impose something that is actually impossible to impose, which also causes little bother for others and for a certain group actually means much pleasure?
…
Condoms must always be cleared away, it must never take place in the neighbourhood of children's playgrounds and the sex must be restricted to the evening and night-time.
Some Amsterdam residents are infuriated not necessarily because of the new leniency, but because the city's council will now impose stricter regulations on unleashed dogs.
This is a very interesting ruling for multiple reasons. First, it's realistic, which is rare when it comes to sexual policing. More importantly, however, van Grieken's measure grants a certain legitimacy to cruising, which may help eradicate taboos and their resulting unsafe practices. It will be intriguing to find whether this legitimacy, however, will hamper some of the public sex excitement.
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that is so nast and inconsiderate to leave your dirty condom just lying there! who wants to be the one to pick that up? just like regular littering though-why should you expect someone else to pick up after you?
http://slackerchic.blogspot.com/
I hope it does take away some of the excitement, leading less people to do it in public at all. They should do the same here, but never will.
It's not only dangerous, but we have gay bars, dating sites, networking sites like "The Space", etc. to hook up via, and (hopefully) homes in which to do the deed.
I'm not a fan of toilet cruising, in general.
it's super-nast. It's all about sex addiction… when you're getting off on the drama and fear of being caught, you're not engaged enough in what's going on to pick up your condom afterward.
It's a start. There are different parks for different activities. If anyone is willing to have a woodsy sex park, the Dutch would be it. Hope it comes to pass. (By the way, such a park would not be strictly for homo or anonymous sex.)
I love the Dutch. This is typical of their realistic, pragmatic approach to life. It's not such a stretch that they should take this tolerant view on park cruising. Similar laws legalizing and regulating prostitution and recreational drugs have been in place for years.
five comments and no one is going to try a joke with "cruising" and "unleashed dog" laws??
come on!
Does this mean more hate crime against gays by Muslim homophobes in Amsterdam ? I hear it is a serious problem there.
I think its like my parents when I was growing up…they said…the liquor cabinet is right there… drink if you want. As long as its here in the house.
It no longer became taboo…it wasn't fun, because I wasn't "getting away with anything" - I like that they put some laws up to protect public sex and gaurantee no unsafe dirty condoms are found and eaten by stray dogs..My bet is the traffic in the parks will decrease…no taboo!
Those wiley Dutch. Gotta luv the reverse psychology at work. Bravo!
Again the Dutch show what a civilized government really is! Many "western civilizations" should follow their lead in a lot of things. Way to go! Consider how many fewer prisons we'd (the USA) need if we had drug laws/sex laws/prostitution 'common sense'(?)laws in general.