From: Free Beach Action Date: Friday, 3 February 2006 11:02 AM Subject: Free Beach Update VI Dear Friends of Little Congwong Beach This morning I received an alarming e-mail from Tom (see below), warning that our beloved free beach is still being used as a gay beat, in spite of a recent front page article in the Sydney Star Observer, and liaising with Harbour City Bears, the gay club who is holding a regular beach day on the last Sunday of each month. I believed that it was made very clear that neither local residents, naturists nor the gay community want the beach being labelled a "gay beach". Honestly, I had no idea; I hardly ever go to the beach on weekdays, and always in female company. It is saddening to see that our efforts are being jeopardised by these people, even though banning nude bathing on the beach would not put a stop to the gay beat; those men would simply put on their Speedos, for they are not genuine naturists. Needless to state again that for a naturist one's sexual preference is irrelevant, hence we welcome all people - straight or gay - as long as they behave. Harbour City Bears' club members have families themselves and their president Murray Mills is taking our concerns to heart. We are working together to get rid of sexual predators. Measures to flash them out could be: to outnumber them, to maintain a gender balance, perhaps take photos of these individuals for a public hall of shame, report harassment to the police, or if you feel you're up to it tell them on the spot they're at the wrong place. Regards Gerald Ganglbauer http://www.freebeach.info Hey there folk. I went to Little Congwong for the first time recently. It was a hot sunny day and pretty busy considering it was mid week. I went alone to enjoy nude swimming at a beach relatively close to my home as I had the day free. It was fantastic to be able to do this. I put my towel down in a spot near nobody and within 5 minutes had a guy sit next to me and start hitting on me. So I moved .. politely made a get away to another spot near nobody.. It's Sydney ..this happens. No big deal. I had ten minutes this time and then another guy is hitting on me.. 'hi sexy' etc etc.. So basically it's a place where men feel free to meet other men.. a pick up place. I'm ok with this. I'm not attracted to men. It's just life I guess. I did NOT find it a sleazy place at all. It just seemed to me to be an established gay man's place.. like a gay night club I guess. I went for a walk east along the rock platform and there was obvious gay cruising going on so I turned back to the beach. So maybe all this discussion is more about people who are comfortable with gay men and those who are not. I suggest to those who are not that this beach is not for them. I think I will go there with a girl next time so that should help stop any confusion about why I'm there. It's a lovely beach and I'm happy that it's there for people .. all people .. to enjoy clothed or unclothed. Tom Williams