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Gay sex in famous Amsterdam public park OK
Dutch council officials are to allow gay sex in public areas such as Amsterdam's Vondelpark. Amsterdammers are shocked at plans to allow public sex under new rules of conduct for the country's famous park, despite their famously liberal attitudes.
Amsterdam's Vondelpark in the city centre of city pullsin thousands of summer visitors, local families, skaters and joggers.
But the park's rose garden has become notorious as a meeting place for gay men looking for sexual encounters.
Local alderman Paul van Grieken, says a ban on public sex in the park is impossible to impose and also causes little offence provided it is discreet. The new park rules have the backing of Dutch police, who want all Dutch parks to follow Amsterdam's lead.
But Amsterdam's dog owners are less impressed. The new code of conduct includes stiff fines for letting dogs off the leash.
One dog owner protested: "It's outrageous that we will be punished from now on but public sex won't. If they can drop their trousers, why can't I let my dog loose?"
This article was written for TravelSavvy Europe by Andy Cornish. For more information see: Amsterdam - Offbeat sights. If you know of an interesting European travel related news story, please get in contact.
