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Dutch Rep on Gay Rights Doesn't Extend to St Maarten

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K6:

--- Quote from: Mogul on Tue, Apr 18, 2006, 04:49 ---I am afraid, you are right - the dollars and euros can be almost as persuasive as a gun barrel. In the very moment the person in question realizes that you are poor or unvilling to spend your money in his/her shop or restaurant, the friendly mask is dropped and you receive your "proper treatment".

--- End quote ---

In Colombia,a country I know fairly well,the thickness of your wallet is the decisive factor in assessing the value of your life.The picture movie
"Romancing the Stone" is a pretty accurate depiction of the place.On one hand,you have there the most handsome and horny young men I
have ever met.But intimate relations with them,though very easy to establish,occur in a context of danger and adventure similar to the one of
the above mentionned movie.

K6

Feral:
This situation is still developing. While I have been quite harsh regarding the Director of Tourism, it is my understanding that she has taken over investigation into not only the crime, but also a probe into the police conduct. These are positive developments. Still, that a Director of Tourism should have to take such action astounds me.

A local blog, St. Maarten Private Eye, has proven to be my most comprehensive source of information on this matter. The following rough translation of a recent Dutch newspaper story appeared among the comments there:


--- Quote --- Philipsburg - The Saint Maarten police have arrested two suspects in relation with the investigation of the homo-beatings. That was announced Saturday by trusted sources involved with the investigation.

The two suspects were French Side residents and they were arrested at the cafe Bamboo Bernies in Philipsburgh (Bamboo Bernies is in Beacon Hill). They were passing by while police was investigating the area.

The main suspect still hasn't been detained. Supposedly he's in hiding on the French Side of the island. "On St. Maarten the progress of investigations are hampered because the island is divided by two countries", prosecuter Taco Stein said. "That's why the investigation is being executed with extra precaution, thus taking in more time as usual". Unfortunately there is no extradition treaty between France and The Netherlands.

Behind the scenes there has been a whole team formed of authorities, ex-politicians and members of the judicial system to lead the investigation on the right tracks. The motive of this move is not only to solve this case, but to prevent that St. Maarten gets bad publicity, such as the case in Aruba after the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.

The American media has been exposing attention on the incident that occurred on St. Maarten. Jefferson himself works for CBS tv-station. Smith is still in the hospital in Miami and isn't yet able to talk. (ANP)
--- End quote ---

I could add that so far as I know, Mr. Smith remains in critical condition, and it is possible that he may have permanent brain damage, so he may never be able to talk.

Mogul:

--- Quote from: K6 on Sat, Apr 15, 2006, 06:47 ---[..] In very homophobic places,and Colombia is one, people can be very kind to you so long as they perceive you as a source of income.But I am afraid that it is their only reason for being kind. [..]
--- End quote ---

I am afraid, you are right - the dollars and euros can be almost as persuasive as a gun barrel. In the very moment the person in question realizes that you are poor or unvilling to spend your money in his/her shop or restaurant, the friendly mask is dropped and you receive your "proper treatment".

The cited text of Ms Regina La Bega resembles more an advertisement for the island than an appropriate answer - e.g. I missed the informations whether the officers responsible for the inappropriate treatment of the complaints were sanctioned, and if not, why not?

The described reaction of the police officers painfully reminds of the typical pattern on continental Europe decades ago - these pattern is not entirely overcome yet, but is not a typical one anymore. Education of police officers and punishment for inadecuate behaviour is very important - unfortunately, it can't prevent the assaults themselves.   

K6:

--- Quote from: Feral on Sat, Apr 15, 2006, 05:20 ---Ms Regina La Bega, the Director of Tourism, St. Maarten has, as one might imagine, been fielding a great many letters of concern about the state of affairs in St. Maarten. Admirably, she responds to many of them. One such response has been posted at the Archbishop Simpson's blog.

Time will tell how their investigation into these matters proceeds, but I cannot help but have the impression that the Director's response has been entirely inadequate.

--- End quote ---

Her concern is perhaps and precisely tourism,pink money being her central preoccupation in the matter rather than gay rights.In my part of the world,and towards the end of the 90s,they discovered that local gays travelled abroad *five times more* than heterosexuals.So,those who are in the business of tourism - either travel agencies or governments - do not want to loose the corresponding income,even should they not mind our loosing our security or our lives.In Colombia where I travelled with two gay friends back in 1993,we had in our package a choice of four different restaurants where to take our supper.One,we discovered on our first night in Colombia,was for hethro couples and families.Its staff treated us very rudely,making us understand that we were not welcomed.They were obviously familiar with gay customers and tourists,and had no trouble identifying us as such despite our quite ordinary outward appearance.The three other restaurants didn`t bother our presence,and one even treated us very kindly with candlelight meals,and providing transportation from our hotel.In very homophobic places,and Colombia is one,
people can be very kind to you so long as they perceive you as a source of income.But I am afraid that it is their only reason for being kind.

K6

Feral:
Ms Regina La Bega, the Director of Tourism, St. Maarten has, as one might imagine, been fielding a great many letters of concern about the state of affairs in St. Maarten. Admirably, she responds to many of them. One such response has been posted at the Archbishop Simpson's blog.

Time will tell how their investigation into these matters proceeds, but I cannot help but have the impression that the Director's response has been entirely inadequate.

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