And keeping it on San Pedro, we go back our interview with San Pedro Resort owner, Peter Lawrence. He's wants to throw a decadent gay pride event at his resort in September, something his PR team is promoting as the biggest gay pride event in Belizean history. He's thinking about all the business he can attract, but what about the social consequences of his event? Is he ready to become the next flashpoint for the culture war on sexuality? He said he welcomes any conversation with his critics:
Peter Lawrence - Owner, Caribbean Villas Hotel
"We're arranging a meeting with an American pastor, who is complaining bitterly in one of the National newspapers and ill quite happily meet him and the Catholic Church and I'm Catholic and spent several years in the monastery. Admittedly at school but it was a boarding school and I'm quite happy. In the monastery they had a thing of 'live and let live' and I think it's just any church - they want to talk to me and I'm quite happy and hopefully we'll have a meeting in Belize City in 2 weeks."
Daniel Ortiz
"What about the general population, if indeed active campaigners come from the mainland or from the island itself to say to you that they don't like what you're doing? Are you in any way intending to dialogue with them or to discuss or even hear them out?"
Peter Lawrence - Owner, Caribbean Villas Hotel
"Of course ill hear them out. I'm semi-reasonable, but it comes to be, it's my property they're not breaking the law nobody's breaking the law as the police spokesman has already said, that people are meeting who has the same ideas. We're giving them that advantage to come here and enjoy themselves in a much more open way."
Daniel Ortiz
"What if when you are in the event its going well, everything is fine, you might meet radicals who come out and not only want to campaign against you, they might want to insight some sort of violent encounters. Have you any contingency to handle that sort of situation?"
Peter Lawrence - Owner, Caribbean Villas Hotel
"Of course, we're having security. The police have told me they are going to provide officers just in case if people come to mount whatever or parade against it. They will not be allowed on our property. The property will be closed off for the entire week except for the invited guests. According to one police spokesman that has been a gay pride event but that was done in secret. I don't anything should be done in secret. I talked to the mayor and he was all for it. He said you can do what you want on your own property. The police have been very very good and they're saying if people come and actively campaign against you we will make sure they don't go on your property."
Daniel Ortiz
"On a personal question, I'm hoping you would indulge me if you won't its fine. There will be those who look at the interview and see the news piece and say 'he's gay'. That is the reason why you're promoting it and that is the reason why you've taken this particular venture. Are you willing to discuss that with us?"
Peter Lawrence - Owner, Caribbean Villas Hotel
"Of course I'm willing to discuss it, but it will be a hell of a shock to my girlfriend if I turn around and tell her I'm gay. I don't mind what people do, as long as it's done in private. I don't have sex with my girlfriend on the beach. These types of things should be private but having people having a great time - that's what we're all about. That's what we're doing. We opening up markets to Belize and show more of the world Belize. Over the next 18 months ill expect to have about 11 events."
Daniel Ortiz
"You will become the new persona non grata that the anti-gay groups, the persons who are saying that this sort of campaign or this sort of push shouldn't happen. Are you ready, willing and prepared to take on that sort of heat?"
Peter Lawrence - Owner, Caribbean Villas Hotel
"Of course I am. It's not my fault some people don't have vision. You can't stop what most countries are allowing anyway."
Those who want to keep up with the event can do so at his hotel's Facebook page.
Email
Print