Safety Tips for Gays and Bisexuals

SAFETY TIPS FOR GAYS AND BISEXUALS
(from: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gabay-org/message/86)

Weekend cruise or gimmick nights.

If you're going out on a gimmick, it's best to go out with friends and make sure you look out for each other. Of course in a bar you will drink, but don't get drunk. Always protect your valuables.Don't bring lots of cash, or leave your wallet or cell phone insight.

Some reports LAGABLAB received show that the victims' drinks were spilled with drugs. Thus disoriented, the victims lost control and were either robbed or assaulted. How to avoid spiked drinks? If someone you met offers to buy you a drink, go to the bar with him.Don't leave your drink unattended. If you're drinking bottle water,leave the cap on. Don't sip from others people's drinks. If you suddenly feel tired or dizzy, tell your friends about it, or inform the bars' security.

In case you met someone new at the bar or club, ask questions-name,who he's with, where does he stay or work, among others. Introduce him to your friends, make sure your friends get a good look at him,so when the need arises he can be easily identified. When a potential bad boys knows his mug can be identified later, he will have second thoughts about striking.If you're going somewhere else, make sure your friends know.

If you're going to his place, get his address and give it to your friends. Don't bring a stranger into your house, especially if you live alone. But if you decide to do so, tell a friend that you're bringing a guest home. It doesn't hurt to bluff: let your guest know(or think) that someone else is staying with you-a flat mate or a housemaid.

If one of your friends is bombed out and wants to leave the bar,tell him to stay first. Ply him with fruit juice or bottled water until he has sobered up. But if he still insists of leaving, put him in a cab and list the cab's name and plate number. Or if he's feeling unwell, drive him home or ask a friend to do so.

Cyber-crules--chatting and eyeballs.

If you're meeting someone you met in a chart room, meet him in a public place like a café or a restaurant. Text or call a friend and tell him where you're going. If you go with him, get his address and tell your friend. Don't bring him home if you live alone. But if you still do so, please check the precautions listed up. As an addendum,based on my very limited experience with eyeballing (one, who turnedup to be a cute school mate), meet him for afternoon snack. In that way, if you don't get along swimmingly, you can just say good bye after a few minutes of chitchat. That's the better lunch or dinner that went to waste because he was no-brainer who looked like a crushed ginger.

All-night—gay cruising areas.

Recently, the police have also raided several public places frequented by gay men. The police swoop down in the guise of arresting call boys, who are allegedly behind the assault and murders. As a result, several gay men have also been arrested. Bear in mind the following.

Cruising is dangerous to one's physical health. But if you decide to do so, remember that hanging out in a place, even if it's a cruising area, is not illegal. In short, cruise at your own risk.However, when the police come (sometimes with the tabloid media in tow) and catch you having sex, you cab be arrested for "public scandal". Or they may book you for one another form of unlawful behavior, i.e., breaking public property such as street lamps, the doors of rest rooms, or some such. The police might also file charges against you, i.e., for vagrancy, loitering, littering,braking the curfew (if you're a minor and you live in a city with this ordinance). Therefore, always bring a valid ID card, especiallywhen they charge you with vagrancy or breaking the curfew.

Cruise control; street safety.

It's possible that you'll be harassed on the street, especially at night. To reduce risks, trust your instincts: if something doesn't feel right, go away. Always stay alert and act confident. Walk with a group, and walk in well-lit-areas. Bring a whistle or a personal alarm, which may be useful in case of an attack. My friend-a straight one, by the way, who does aikido-brings a pepper mace with him, just in case.

Avoid walking through groups of rowdy young men. If you meet them,casually cross the road and avoid eye contact. Many a life has been lost in these benighted islands because of eye contact-or singing the wrong Sinatra song. Keep your car key or house key ready, so it will be easier to go to safe space when necessary. Know your city like the palm of your hand, especially its trouble spots-and avoid them.

Verbal abuse.

Verbal abuse and name-calling often prelude an attack. No matter how provocative these terms are, or how witty you are, your safety should be your main concern. Keep calm when being provoked. Most often, hecklers are encouraged when they see that you're being affected. If you're alone and there are many hecklers, just ignore them. If you want them to have a taste of your wit, make sure you're in a position to escape when assaulted. But if the heckler is drunk,there is no sense in getting angry or arguing back. If the provocation comes with threats of an assault, walk away as quickly as possible. That hurt ego will heal quickly than a battered body.Report verbal abuse, when it comes with physical threats, to authorities such as barangay council or the police.

Physical assault.

An assault can sometimes happen even when it's not provoked, or despite attempts to thwart it. If you're being attacked, get away and seek help. Stay calm and concentrate, but try to make as muchnoise to attract other people's attention. Check if the attacker has a back-up group. If he has, find a way to escape as soon as possible. If you intend to attack back, hit in areas that can cause dizziness or pain, such as between the eyes, the throat, and the crotch-then run. Remember as many details as possible-the face of the attacker, his physical features. Get immediate medical attention and have a medico-legal examination. Report the incident to the authorities-the barangay council or the police.