Recreation for all: why are "safe places for sexual minorities" needed? - @ Issue

Parks & Recreation, May, 2003 by Chris Caldwell

The Research Update in the March 2003 issue of Parks & Recreation advocated "programming 'safe' places for sexual minorities." (See "Speaking the Unspeakable: A decade of research on providing recreation to sexually diverse populations," pp. 21-34.) I see things quite differently concerning attempts to have leisure facilities that are comfortable and safe for all people.

I believe that every person is valuable and created for a purpose in life, and that we should try to bring out the best in every individual through recreational, cultural and sporting activities. As leisure-service providers, we're responsible for creating a fun, safe, inviting and positive environment for everyone to interact--socially, emotionally, physically and mentally--to mutual benefit.

Too many studies have been done in regards to what's right and what's wrong. Let's get to the heart of the matter--individual people. Groups will always have their own agendas, ideas and opinions, and will make excuses and create distractions to get their way. But the truth remains: we're all created equal, and thrive on being treated fairly while being accepted, appreciated and loved.

We all should work to bring out the best in other people, rather than create preferences for special groups or minorities. The latter practice enforces isolation and separation from the social and physical needs that all people have, regardless of race, religion or chosen lifestyle.

I believe that separate activities for homosexuals are not only unnecessary, but create the very division they're attempting to eliminate. Even if you think that homosexuality is wrong, discrimination against a homosexual in the arena of parks and recreation, as would occur by creating "safe places," is even more wrong.

@ Issue is your chance to write about a broad, emerging issue in parks and recreation. If you're interested in submitting an opinion piece for this column, write to sdouglas@nrpa.org.

Chris Caldwell, CPRP,, is athletic supervisor for Winter Springs Parks & Recreation, in Winter Springs, Fla. He can be reached at ccaldwell@winterspringsfl.org.