Amsterdam allows sex in parks

By JESSE MONTEAGUDO
Thursday, April 10, 2008

Across the ocean, the “issue” of gay people in public, outdoor recreational spaces is handled in a starkly different manner. In the Dutch city of Amsterdam, long known as a center of sexual liberty, men have sought sexual satisfaction in the city’s Vondelpark for years (or so I’m told). Recently, the city government shocked conservatives there and elsewhere when they moved to allow public sex in the park.

City Alderman Paul Van Grieken defended the decision. “Why should we impose a rule on something you can’t impose a rule on?” he told the Telegraph, a London-based paper. “Moreover, it isn’t a nuisance for the other visitors and gives a lot of pleasure to a certain group of people.”

Cruisers are still expected to pick up their used condoms and other trash, stay away from the children’s playground and limit their sexual activities to night hours, the Telegram reported.

The Netherlands Police National Diversity Expertise Center asked other cities to follow Amsterdam’s example, noting that it would free the police to deal with more serious matters, such as anti-gay violence, reports the NIS News, an online Dutch news service.

The Dutch approach to park cruising is sensible, reasonable and humane, which means it will never be adopted in the Untied States.