Expogays organizer, Javier Checa, gives Moclinejo an ultimatum

BUSINESSMAN Javier Checa has demanded that Moclinejo Town Hall decide whether or not it wants to be Spain’s first gay town.

Checa, who is behind the Expogays trade fair which will be held in Torremolinos next month, met with the mayor of Moclinejo, Antonio Muñoz, and says he got a “nasty surprise”.

Although the town hall agrees to building 50 houses for homosexuals which would be promoted at the trade fair, they are not so happy about other proposals such as a ‘cruising’ park where homosexuals would be able to walk and have sexual encounters with no-one harassing or judging them.

“I am gay, and I know what the community wants” Checa said, while saying he was sorry the town hall hadn’t taken advantage of the opportunity which could have created jobs. He had given an agreement draft to the town hall with a promise to promote Moclinejo as a gay tourist destination at the Expogays trade fair, but claimed he would not get involved if the town hall didn’t take a decision.

“I can’t promote the destination and then find that people go there and get stoned or have problems with the neighbours” said Checa.

Meanwhile, the organizers of Expogays have announced that the first gay couple to get married in Spain, Emilio Menendez and Carlos Baturin, who married in Madrid in July 2005, will attend the World Congress in Favour of Gay Marriages which will be held during the trade fair.

Singer Isabel Pantoja is the godmother of the trade fair and will perform at the inauguration on October 14. This year Expogays will have 200 stalls and expects more than the 15,000 visitors registered last year.