Not surprised
The article says:
"La Polic?a explic? que actu? en base a una instrucci?n de la Fiscal?a del Distrito, la que, a su vez, recibi? una querella de la Junta de Vecinos del sector, indicando que las reuniones gays en el Parque Duarte alteran el ambiente y constituyen una agresi?n a la sana convivencia."
...
"Un vocero de la Junta de Vecinos inform? a El Nacional que el parque Duarte no puede ser considerado ?zona libre? para los encuentros de personas que escandalizan con su comportamiento al sector y constituyen un elemento de perturbaci?n, en especial frente a la ni?ez de esa zona."
gre:
Guess I need to get the number of this fiscal. I deal with "agresiones a la sana convivencia" every day, whether it's the neighborhood narcos or the corner pack of tigueres. But they aren't perverse or anything, just sometimes have more than one parter, beat their partner and frequent prostitutes, but at least of the opposite sex. (sarcasm)
If it were a gay cruise ship docking to have a party, or a bunch of gay tourists at a public gathering, the police wouldn't bother them. Also, why do they have to assume that everyone who goes to gay events is gay and scandalizing?
Halting this event did more harm than good, if you can conceive any good from doing that at all. It makes the country look bad, and insults any sense of democracy and free speech.
As far as taking advantage of it for tourism purposes, it would be a great idea. I would go to a parade or festival, and I imagine a lot of people would love to celebrate their pride in the warm DR, with all of it's beaches and sunshine (no offense person from Toronto!).