Johnny Lord's comments on the misuse of Duke's Mound, Brighton, by some gay men (Letters, June 8) are timely.

June's edition of local gay magazine G Scene reports that the sexual activity taking place in this area is no longer confined to the early hours of the morning.

There are recent complaints reported of some gay men using the area for inappropriate activities in the daytime when families, some with children, are in the area.

This behaviour is out of order. It makes no difference whether it is day or night, male public sex in this country is illegal.

The proposed changes to sexual offences legislation currently being considered by the Government do not include abolishing such a law but the Government does propose a new law which would make sex in a public place illegal whatever the gender of those involved.

I am a gay man who lives in Brighton. There are plenty of safe, indoor environments available to gay men (such as all-night saunas).

Such environments should be made full use of. If some gay men continue to act illegally in public places, members of the public are likely to continue to report such matters to the police.

It is time certain sections of the Brighton gay community stop to think how the wider community will view us if such antisocial behaviour continues.

-Andrew Morris, Oriental Place, Brighton