Nelson's long-running gay men's group has told the Nelson Mail that Rabbit Island is often used as a meeting place for gay men, but sex on the beach is "not on". Nudity OK but no sex please: Nelson's Rabbit Island Spectrum president Wayne Bartram says the eastern end of the Island is very well known as a place for gay men to swim and enjoy the sun - with or without clothes - but does not condone those who slip into the bushes for sex, as they run the risk of bringing stigma on the gay community. "We don't need animosity because we are not all dirty people, we are just gay," he told the newspaper. Local people had reported 'offensive behaviour' on the beaches over summer, prompting the local council to threaten to enforce rules banning nudity. 'Nudist' beaches on the Kapiti Coast, also popular with gay people, have also recently attracted complaints from local residents. The local council introduced new rules allowing nudity, but outlawing overtly sexual behaviour.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Thursday, 8th January 2009 - 2:19pm