England’s
Landscaping: Discriminatory Toward Gays?

Gay rights advocates have accused the Bristol, England, city council of discrimination, the Press Association Newsfile reported Monday.

The accusation comes in response to the city's plans to trim foliage in Bristol Downs, a city park frequented by gay men meeting for sex.

According to the Press Association, a council report on the management of Bristol Downs describes the disagreement: "Concerns were expressed by the council's Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Group ... that this action was potentially discriminating against gay and bisexual men."

The Press Association reported that downs committee member Peter Abraham told the Bristol Evening Post that he finds it "offensive to suggest that by taking this action -- which might stop people collecting to carry out what some might describe as illegal acts and certainly offensive behavior -- you are being discriminatory."

The downs committee and police are in talks to resolve the matter. (The Advocate)