Netherlands city plans to build gay village: report

THE HAGUE -- A city in the Netherlands has planned to build a separate neighborhood to accommodate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, local media reported on Wednesday.

The Brabants Dagblad reported that a project developer is trying to build the village in Tilburg, which could be a first in the Netherlands.

The developer was reported as saying the idea is based on a research which showed 22 percent of gay people in the Netherlands sometimes don't feel safe in their own neighborhoods.

Mayor of Tilburg Peter Noordanus expressed his support to this plan. "A tolerant city is pleased to have a gay community within its borders," he said.

However, such a plan is not a solution to the security problems, Dutch LGBT organization COC Netherlands told media.

"This is not the way we should go. LGBT should feel safe in every city, every neighborhood and every street, not only in a separate area with a fence around, "said COC President Tanja Ineke.