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Lima, Peru: Closure of gay nightclub looks to be permanent

(LIP-jl) -- The district of Miraflores is well known for its tourist attractions, restaurants, and excellent nightlife, regardless of sexual preferences. Last week, one of the most established gay nightclubs in the Peruvian capital city, Downtown, was shutdown by Miraflores municipal authorities who cited resident complaints of noise and 'immoral' conduct for the closure.

Peru's Consumers and Users Association (Asociación Peruana de Consumidores y Usuarios -ASPEC) has backed the municipal government's decision to close the nightclub for good.

APEC President Jaime Delgado reiterated his organization's support of the closure and sustained that although Lima's homosexual community has the right to congregate and have fun, pubic interest and the well being of Miraflores residents should take precedence.

"ASPEC discourages discrimination inflicted on consumers based on race, sexual orientation, or economic conditions. However, in the case of the Miraflores nightclub, it has been proven that public order has been compromised by the club, therefore authorities have the right to impose the measures they see fit," said Delgado.

Meanwhile Lima's gay community has expressed its outrage over Miraflores Mayor Manuel Masias's decision to target the homosexual nightclub and accused authorities of discrimination.

Despite the protests, the mayor insists that the well being of his constituents is driving force behind the closure.

The mayor also informed that the mainly heterosexual establishments of Phuket and the Vaca Voladora were also closed during the same time Dowtown was closed.

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# Robert Conant says :
30 April, 2007 [ 19:46 ]

Time for some desert land to receive the establishment of a peruvian Las Vegas?

# Bob says :
30 April, 2007 [ 19:55 ]

I have been to Downtown several times with local friends when I was in Lima.  I never witnessed any sexual behaviour or drug use. Actually, compared to most big clubs in the US or Europe its pretty tame. It was very crowded with young people and my only concern was that the emergeny exits were all functioning. 

# Gabrielle says :
1 May, 2007 [ 20:03 ]

I was under the impression that the Vaca was a gay club as well.  I thought it was strange that it was cited as an argument that there was no discrimination involved.  Did anyone else notice that?

Also, as  young woman, I've never felt threatened in either downtown or the Vaca.  In fact, I was forced to throw away a bottle of coca cola from my purse the last time I was at Downtown, before being allowed to enter.

# Francisco says :
2 May, 2007 [ 09:22 ]

I am a self-chosen Lima expat from Europe. One of the reasons why I love this city is the low-key, very diverse and ever going nightlife. But Operation Zanahoria in Barranco, the ongoing legal fights between bars and their neighbours in the ca. Berlin area and now the closure of Downtown (from a hetero point of view, probably the tamest gay club in the world…) worry and disturb me very much. 

It is alarming to watch the very sudden and fast-growing narrow-mindedness of Lima’s residents (and policy makers). As a relative outsider, it seems to me that small town thinking is increasing at the same pace as the economy. Moreover, I think from now on we should not speak any longer from harassing but from downright ‘war’ against nightlife entrepreneurs and their patrons.  

The article speaks about the ‘well being of Miraflores residents’… Who decides what is ‘well being’? What do you expect when living in the heart of Lima’s main nightlife centre? How is it possible that a few neighbours (because I am sure it is not the whole ‘hood) are easily able to make an establishment and even whole strips close down or close early? (in this business this is almost the same). How is it possible that LICENSED places are closed down/ close early anyway without lasting lawsuits? 
 

And mark my words: soon, who takes care of the ‘well being’ of Lima’s vast group of night revellers??

# david says :
9 July, 2008 [ 12:55 ]

bueno me llamo david y tengo 18 años soy muy alegre tengo el pelo negro soy de  160 cm de estaturay pues desearia trabajar en un night club aver si me andan n mensaje como repuesta

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