Panama City, Panama, Aug 12, 2008 / 08:38 am
The newspaper El Panama America reported that many Panamanians are upset about the installation of a so-called “Tunnel of Sexuality”—decorated with enormous figures of masculine and female genital organs—in one of the parks most visited by local families.
The controversial display was put in place by the Ministry of Social Development, and according to officials, the aim is “to break the taboos regarding sexuality in adolescents.” It was set up at Omar Park, one of the biggest in Panama City.
El Panama America said it had received dozens of letters from angry readers who said the display was inappropriate and made the children who play in the park uncomfortable. Some visitors to the park called the police to denounce the exhibit.
Gilberto Toro, a researcher at the Ministry of Social Development, defended the exhibit and said it was intended to help teens to see that “sexuality is not dirty and that young people like it.”