by SANKA PRICE

ANAL SEX is not only a taboo subject here, it is illegal between men.

That said, there is the morality issue. Traditionally, such acts were frowned on though they were known to take place here. For decades the coastal strip in St James, now referred to as the Platinum Coast, was identified as the main place for this, given the numbers of non-Barbadians visiting or living there.

Whether true or false, this talk gained St James a reputation and for decades it was said, 'if you go down St James, don't bend down'.

Today the debate about anal sex (called 'trunking') tends to be more intense given the active work of gay rights' groups and the pornographic movies where such action is integral. Anecdotal evidence here suggests too that more people are engaged in the activity as it is being promoted as the 'in-thing' to do.

Our question - Do you think men who insist on trying anal intercourse with their female partners are closet homosexuals, or are they just seeking to recreate what they see in pornographic films? And, could their insistence on doing this act - in spite of their partner's refusal - be a measure of disrespect and possible warning signs that maybe he is not Mr Right? - sought to address this seemingly growing trend.

The majority of those who responded condemned the act, with one woman detailing why she thinks men who suggest this are closet homosexuals.

"A guy who resided in my former district, his girlfriend was constantly baffled by constant yeast infections. One day she came home early from work and . . . found her boyfriend with another man. It finally came to light why he asked for anal sex which she had refused to engage in, and why she had a case of reccuring yeast infections," she related.

Those who disagreed with the question said it was a personal choice and nobody's business as long as the couple involved consent to do it together.

The following are the edited versions of responses received: NO

* "My husband and I have been together for 36 years, and for 35 of those we have been doing that. And I can tell you he is no homosexual; it is just a variation in our sex lives."

* "I encouraged my boyfriend to have anal sex with me because I liked doing it; he had never done it before. So is he now a homo?

"Some people always look down on things they don't understand or what they consider dirty, and this homo talk [in relation to anal sex] is about that. I enjoy it a lot, and as long as it is done gently it is more enjoyable than vaginal intercourse."

* "Sometimes men want to try something new with their partner, or they are accustomed doing it in their old relationship and want to continue doing it with their new partner. For that they can't be considered homosexuals."

* "I dont think that men who are curious about anal sex are closet homosexuals, neither are they dirty or nasty - they are just curious. There are [also] a lot of 'normal healthy women who enjoy anal sex; research shows this. . . Before we paint everybody with the same brush for being curious, remember it's a personal choice."

* "Anal sex with a woman has nothing to do with homosexuality. True homosexuals tend to seek relationships with individuals of their gender. As long as you're attracted to the opposite sex you're not homosexual.

"The act of anal sex is another story. I believe it's depravity and degrading; however, some females enjoy it. . . People who try it were influenced by porn and/or a partner who has been influenced by porn."

* "In Barbados there seems to be a stubborn stigma attached to [anal sex] which seems to be driven by the antiquated sexual/social mores of older Barbadians.

"I suspect that this practice is increasingly being "engaged in" privately by younger Barbadians."

YES

* "Any man who wants anal sex from his wife or girl and still insists after being turned down, are faggots. Any man who enters a woman's anus, whether the partner agrees, or not, is a dirty man.

"A lot of this is because of the movies they watch, peer pressure, and the new thinking that says not to be narrow minded about anything. Mutual agreement or not, if that woman is looking for a husband she may have found a girl. If she is married she needs to get out."

* "Any man that has anal sex with a woman will have it with a man. There is no half way in this. The movies the men watch are causing them to think this is a must try."

* "As soon as you hear that you should try this and the other position, two things are involved - another woman and blue movies. [But ladies] never ever let anyone make you do something that makes you uncomfortable."

* "If your partner is insisting that you have anal sex even though you have made it clear that is not your preference, then you are not suited, it cannot work. I am using the same logic of one partner wanting constant sex and the other preferring it once a month. The partner who feels something is lacking will look for it elsewhere.