From: Free Beach Action <freebeach@gangart.com>
Date: Thursday, 24 November 2005 10:08 PM
Subject: Free Beach Letters

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
By Andrew M. Potts from | 24/11/2005 11:26:10

OFFENSIVE BEATS
The story concerning illegal beat activity at La Perouse (SSO 791) should make us all pause for thought.
In this day and age where people are free to visit gay bars, use the internet for connections or access sex-on-premises venues, beats are nothing but a horrible anachronism from the bad old days and there is no excuse for them.
Not only are they highly dangerous but they reinforce all of the worst homophobic stereotypes about gay men, that of nefarious predators lurking around in dark places.
This is exactly the image that is projected to the wider community by beats, particularly those located in public toilets, parks and beaches where unwitting adults or children are likely to stumble across them by accident.
It is an unnecessary and offensive monopolisation of public space and should be stopped.
We all have a responsibility to be good ambassadors for our community and it is time those who use beats grew up.

Sydney Star Observer Forum
http://www.ssonet.com.au/forum/home.asp