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Sydney Councillors have slammed a plan to create "homophobia-free zones" across Sydney as a cheap public relations stunt that may lead to more attacks on gays and lesbians.

The City of Sydney Council has decided, in a five-four vote, to recognise parts of the city as gay and lesbian precincts and will consider revoking late-night trading privileges for venues whose patrons commit homophobic abuse or violence.

Encouraging local businesses to use signs and stickers todeclare their premises homophobia-free is also high on the agenda.

"The young men who come in from outer suburbs to drink alcohol and assault gay people are not going to be deterred by a sticker in a window," said Liberal councillor Shayne Mallard, who is gay.

"Because they already have homophobic and violent tendencies, it's more likely to be a provocation.

"Lots of people in the gay and lesbian community fear it will provoke more violence ... we've had enough of these PR stunts."

Mr Mallard said more police officers and CCTV cameras plus a full-time team of 100 security guards were needed to curb anti-social behaviour on Oxford Street, home to the Mardi Gras parade, and other gay hotspots.

He said independent councillor John McInerney, a close ally and former running mate of Lord Mayor Clover Moore, had also voted against the proposal.

Ms Moore said the idea came from consultations with gay men concerned about a recent spate of homophobic attacks in Sydney.

A spokesman for Ms Moore said the criticism from Mr Mallard - who is running for lord mayor in the council elections next month - was politically motivated.

Oxford Street regular Phillip Mortemor said combating homophobia was important but that the policy was a "double-edged sword" that might attract more troublemakers to gay hotspots.

"What we really need is more police and more security ... people are too drunk to read stickers anyway."

His friend Keenan Edson, who performs in drag shows at clubs on Oxford Street, said gays and lesbians suffered verbal abuse, bashings and being pelted with eggs every week - often in broad daylight.

He added that anti-homophobia paraphernalia would do nothing to curb the area's high number of alcohol-fuelled "straight on straight" violence.

A spokesman for the AIDS Council of NSW, which will help Sydney City Council develop its strategy, said: "The plan is still in the very early stages of policy development."

Ref :theaustralian