Thursday, October 04, 2007

Sex by torchlight.

Four firemen who disturbed an outdoor gay sex session have been reprimanded and heavily fined after they were accused by one of the participants of being homophobic. The firemen shone their torches from their engine into bushes on the Downs - an area of parkland in Bristol said to be popular with people engaging in late-night outdoor sex known as "dogging" - interrupting the four as they were involved in a gay sex act. One of the group later contacted the AIDS charity, the Terrence Higgins Trust, who advised him to make a formal complaint.

That led to the firefighters being suspended while a three month investigation was carried out. Two of them have now been fined up to £1,000; one has been demoted in rank and the other given a written warning. Each of them has also been ordered to attend a two-day equality course. The four, who do not want be named, have been told to attend an equality conference being held in Bristol next week, entitled 'Lesbians, Gays, Bi-sexuals and Transgender Equality in the Fire Service - an absolute taboo?’

...What stupid actions the management of the Fire Service have taken here. Management are supposed to motivate staff and gain respect from their staff and the general public. There was no need to suspend these firefighters. The disciplinary action against the firefighters is a disgrace - they have done nothing wrong or criminal. These firefighters put their lives on the line to save people and were innocently engaged in a little boyish humour whilst returning to their depot. I feel these firefighters have been let down by their management and their trade union. I would not be surprised if these 4 firefighters told their politically correct managers where to stick their job as I am sure these gay men on the Clifton Downs could easily demonstrate. These firefighters should never have faced any disciplinary action or inquiry.

If people wish to engage in sexual activity in a public park then they should accept the risk of becoming an attraction. They may want people to watch or be shocked by their sex games - this may be an extra thrill for them. I have no problem with people having sex in public areas - these are self selecting people and in a free society they should be allowed this basic human activity. What I object to is one of the guys complaining that other people have caught them at it and have shone a little light on the situation. The complainant was happy about the sex taking place so he should be happy with the extra numbers rather than whining on to a charity. The Terrence Higgins Trust, who advised him to make a formal complaint, have done themselves no favours.
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