Has Gay Website Profile as "SexyMark"
 

Commentary
 

Gay men in Leicester who frequent the cruising area in Abbey Park have effectively been branded “paedophiles” – by a 23-years-old gay city councillor who is also a counsellor at the local LGBT centre.

Mark Farmer, who is the cabinet member for strategic community renewal and safety (includes Regeneration, Planning, Community Safety/Crime & Disorder), suggested to the local Leicester Mercury newspaper that boys as young as 12 were selling sex to men in the city’s parks.  Councillor Farmer describes his sexuality as being “gay” on his profile on a UK gay website.

[Click here to read the Leicester Mercury report published on October 6]

Farmer said the prostitution first came to his attention this year through his involvement as a youth worker with gay teenagers.  Some admitted to him they sold their bodies for cash before they were in their teens.

“It’s scary to think children are out there selling their bodies.  Let’s be clear – any man who pays for sex with a child is a paedophile, and should face the full force of the law,” he told the Mercury’s Ciaran Fagan.

Few would disagree with Councillor Farmer’s remark.  But what has outraged many gays in the city – and beyond – is that the public’s perception that paedophilia is rife among the gay community.

Joe Hill, an openly gay 21-years old who lives in Leicester, is livid at the councillor’s remarks.

“The article suggests through the councillor’s remarks that people found hanging about the park after dark might be paedophiles on the prowl.

“Accordingly, the ‘attack paediatricians’ mob – those who hit first and ask questions later – has been active,” he said.

Hill even went so far as to suggest that vicious attacks on two gay men in Leicester last Friday could well have been provoked by the councillor, though the police were not at this stage making the link.

“This article has done absolutely no good.  If someone has suspicion of illegal underage soliciting, they should contact the police first and allow them mount an appropriate operation,” he said.

Hill, who runs a large gay website, Fitlads.net, said he had first-hand experience of how the Leicestershire Police reacted to suspected underage sexual activity.

“I can assure you, they take it very seriously when I have had concerns,” he pointed out.

“Mark Farmer’s argument that a press ‘outing’ rather than a proper lawful investigation, is rubbish.  He has ensured that if there are paedophiles using [Abbey Park], they will remain at large, rather than being jailed,” he suggested.

“If there was a police operation going on – or be staged – in Abbey Park, he has not only single-handedly buggered up any chance of this happening, but he has also endangered every gay man using the park at night.”

Joe Hill admitted that he had used Abbey Park.  “As a 21 year-old, I can assure you that I was the only cruiser my side of 40,” he said, adding that he had never seen young teens in the area.

Gays in Leicester have suggested to us that high-flying Liberal Democrat councillor and cabinet member Mark Farmer is himself gay.  But while he is seen openly around the city’s gay venues, it is not known whether he is fully “out” to everyone in Leicester – there is certainly no mention of his sexuality on political and party political websites.

However, he has a profile on OUTeverywhere under the name "sexymark" which says: “Hello people! A young lad (23) living in the Leicester area. I am looking for more gay friends. Love to go out as much as possible, shopping, cinema, clubbing blabla! Would like to hear from people interested in gaining a new friend.”

He describes himself as “gay” and “generally out to everyone”.  Among his strong views on issues, he lists “gay/bi rights”.

The profile page also has a photograph which is identical to one used on the Leicester City council website.  The profile can be viewed publicly.

■ Mark Farmer could not be reached for comment.