Menu
07/07/2008
Downs Clearance Delayed By Gay Men
Clearance work on dense undergrowth in the Downs area of Bristol has been delayed - by campaiging homosexual men who want to continue to use the area for sexual encounters.
Campaigners claim that gay and bisexual men in Bristol are in fact being "discriminated against" because of plans to remove the dense undergrowth - which they use for sex.
Bristol City Council employee's Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Group, also known as the Rainbow Group, has hit out at the proposals to clear the area next to Circular Road.
It is understood the clearing scheme has been agreed as part of the management plan for the Downs.
A report from a Bristol Council meeting said: "As part of the consultation, concerns were expressed by the Council's Lesbian and Bisexual Group (and a small number of consultants) that this action was potentially discriminating".
Head of Parks, Peter Wilkinson said the council has "strong equality polices to protect the interests of all groups, irrespective of their sexuality".
"We are working with the Terrance Higgins Trust to make sure any work we do is sensitive," he said.
The Bristol City Council Equalities Policy states that it will "take positive action to reassure lesbian, gay and bisexual people who use our services that they do not have to deny their relationships or sexuality to receive equal access to a service".
The Terrence Higgins Trust, which has an office in Bristol, is well aware of the issue as it already sends teams of workers to the area to hand out safe-sex advice.
However, former Lord Mayor, Tory Councillor for Stoke Bishop, and Down Committee Member Peter Abraham dismissed the claims.
Mr Mayor said "how can it be discriminatory to clear land that might stop what is illegal practise?"
"We need to manage the Downs properly. For a long time we have been told that the scrub land needs to be opened up," he said.
The report said that "the removal of scrub" was "in fact driven by policy imperatives to open up this part of the Downs and Gorge landscape, which has become overgrown over the past two decades".
The Rainbow Group has not released a comment and have said that the views expressed in the report were not from them.
Last October, a row broke out after it was revealed that four fire-fighters were disciplined for allegedly disturbing a gay sex session on the Downs, when they shone their torches into the undergrowth.
Although having sex in a public place could be deemed a criminal offence, police say they are unlikely to investigate unless a formal complaint is made.
A further meeting of the Bristol Downs Committee will be held later.
The Downs consists of Clifton Down and Durdham Down - two large, historic, adjacent grassed green spaces of about 400 acres.
The Downs were awarded a Green Flag Award in 2007.
(DS)
Campaigners claim that gay and bisexual men in Bristol are in fact being "discriminated against" because of plans to remove the dense undergrowth - which they use for sex.
Bristol City Council employee's Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Group, also known as the Rainbow Group, has hit out at the proposals to clear the area next to Circular Road.
It is understood the clearing scheme has been agreed as part of the management plan for the Downs.
A report from a Bristol Council meeting said: "As part of the consultation, concerns were expressed by the Council's Lesbian and Bisexual Group (and a small number of consultants) that this action was potentially discriminating".
Head of Parks, Peter Wilkinson said the council has "strong equality polices to protect the interests of all groups, irrespective of their sexuality".
"We are working with the Terrance Higgins Trust to make sure any work we do is sensitive," he said.
The Bristol City Council Equalities Policy states that it will "take positive action to reassure lesbian, gay and bisexual people who use our services that they do not have to deny their relationships or sexuality to receive equal access to a service".
The Terrence Higgins Trust, which has an office in Bristol, is well aware of the issue as it already sends teams of workers to the area to hand out safe-sex advice.
However, former Lord Mayor, Tory Councillor for Stoke Bishop, and Down Committee Member Peter Abraham dismissed the claims.
Mr Mayor said "how can it be discriminatory to clear land that might stop what is illegal practise?"
"We need to manage the Downs properly. For a long time we have been told that the scrub land needs to be opened up," he said.
The report said that "the removal of scrub" was "in fact driven by policy imperatives to open up this part of the Downs and Gorge landscape, which has become overgrown over the past two decades".
The Rainbow Group has not released a comment and have said that the views expressed in the report were not from them.
Last October, a row broke out after it was revealed that four fire-fighters were disciplined for allegedly disturbing a gay sex session on the Downs, when they shone their torches into the undergrowth.
Although having sex in a public place could be deemed a criminal offence, police say they are unlikely to investigate unless a formal complaint is made.
A further meeting of the Bristol Downs Committee will be held later.
The Downs consists of Clifton Down and Durdham Down - two large, historic, adjacent grassed green spaces of about 400 acres.
The Downs were awarded a Green Flag Award in 2007.
(DS)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 June 2012
Church Of England Warns Gay Marriage Threatens Institution
The Church of England has warned that government proposals for gay marriage would dilute an institution "vastly" important to a healthy society. It has also described the proposed legislation as "shallow", adding that government plans to open marriage to gay couples by 2015 could undermine its status as the state church.
Church Of England Warns Gay Marriage Threatens Institution
The Church of England has warned that government proposals for gay marriage would dilute an institution "vastly" important to a healthy society. It has also described the proposed legislation as "shallow", adding that government plans to open marriage to gay couples by 2015 could undermine its status as the state church.
27 February 2015
Police Divers Searching Lake For Missing Bristol Teenager
Specialist police divers are searching a lake in St George's Park for missing Bristol teenager, Rebecca Watts. The 16-year-old has been missing for eight days, sparking a major search operation, involving police officers, volunteers and specialist divers and dog teams.
Police Divers Searching Lake For Missing Bristol Teenager
Specialist police divers are searching a lake in St George's Park for missing Bristol teenager, Rebecca Watts. The 16-year-old has been missing for eight days, sparking a major search operation, involving police officers, volunteers and specialist divers and dog teams.
26 February 2015
Police Continue Search For Missing Bristol Teenager
Police have renewed their appeal for help in tracing missing Bristol teenager, Rebecca Watts. The 16-year-old has been missing since last Thursday, when she failed to return home. Police said that they are continuing to look for the teenager, with detailed searches having been carried out at a nature reserve near her home in St George.
Police Continue Search For Missing Bristol Teenager
Police have renewed their appeal for help in tracing missing Bristol teenager, Rebecca Watts. The 16-year-old has been missing since last Thursday, when she failed to return home. Police said that they are continuing to look for the teenager, with detailed searches having been carried out at a nature reserve near her home in St George.
27 November 2013
Guesthouse Owners Lose Supreme Court Appeal
The owners of a guesthouse, ordered to pay almost £4,000 to a couple they refused to allow in their business because they are gay, have lost their Supreme Court appeal. In 2008 Steven Preddy and Martyn Hall were turned away from Hazelmary and Peter Bull's Cornwall guesthouse, Chymorvah House.
Guesthouse Owners Lose Supreme Court Appeal
The owners of a guesthouse, ordered to pay almost £4,000 to a couple they refused to allow in their business because they are gay, have lost their Supreme Court appeal. In 2008 Steven Preddy and Martyn Hall were turned away from Hazelmary and Peter Bull's Cornwall guesthouse, Chymorvah House.
10 May 2010
Volcano Ash Grounds Flights - Again
Once again, thousands of air passengers have been facing disruption to flights as ash cloud from the erupting volcano in Iceland caused more cancellations. Spain closed 19 of its airports on Saturday as the cloud of ash from the Icelandic volcano drifted south over western Europe.
Volcano Ash Grounds Flights - Again
Once again, thousands of air passengers have been facing disruption to flights as ash cloud from the erupting volcano in Iceland caused more cancellations. Spain closed 19 of its airports on Saturday as the cloud of ash from the Icelandic volcano drifted south over western Europe.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
