Part of the problem is that, thanks to our screwed up constitution and even more screwed up legislative rules, laws that can no longer be enforced stay in the criminal code.
Oh, and don't be too quick to praise the Metro Councilman referenced in the article. He's my councilman, and he ran on a "traditional family values" platform. He just had the revelation that about 75% of the LGBT community who votes in EBR Parish is in his district.
Key facts:
There's no allegation of any publicly lewd behavior; even the conversations reported were quite tame.
The gentleman who got arrested was accused of agreeing to "some drinks and some fun" with another male, back in the privacy of the other male's home. The incriminating factor was that condoms were mean to be involved. But so what? Maybe the fun involved water balloons! Maybe it involved loose women also invited to the other man's home! If cops are going to do this sort of dumbass stunt, shouldn't they have to go much further to demonstrate intent of committing a crime against god and nature, or whatever?
I've seen nothing about an apology, an expunging of records, simple damages (lawyer fees, lost wages), punitive damages, consequences for the officers and officials involved, etcetera. People have at the very least been massively inconvenienced by this; a single arrest may have enormous consequences for someone's life, even without charges being brought.
I love how, even in the update, they refer to the sodomy laws as "outdated". No, they're INVALIDATED as of a decade ago. How about busting up a meth lab and leaving people to tend to their own sex lives? Going to bump some NWA now.
Another update. The sheriff has apologized and said he will work with Capital City Alliance (a local LGBT advocacy group) to improve relationships between the LGBT community and law enforcement.
Anyone who's been arrested for this in East Baton Rouge is no longer closeted. Plus, their civil rights have been violated. Why not fight back now? I want to see some lawsuits and some serious damage awards against the municipality or county (in Louisiana, "parish"). ACLU, or whoever, get busy! And move it to Federal Court, with a change of venue if you have to. Either New Orleans, or out of the God-forsaken Bible Belt.
http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2013/07/under…
http://theadvocate.com/home/6631425-125/….
Part of the problem is that, thanks to our screwed up constitution and even more screwed up legislative rules, laws that can no longer be enforced stay in the criminal code.
There's no allegation of any publicly lewd behavior; even the conversations reported were quite tame.
The gentleman who got arrested was accused of agreeing to "some drinks and some fun" with another male, back in the privacy of the other male's home. The incriminating factor was that condoms were mean to be involved. But so what? Maybe the fun involved water balloons! Maybe it involved loose women also invited to the other man's home! If cops are going to do this sort of dumbass stunt, shouldn't they have to go much further to demonstrate intent of committing a crime against god and nature, or whatever?
I've seen nothing about an apology, an expunging of records, simple damages (lawyer fees, lost wages), punitive damages, consequences for the officers and officials involved, etcetera. People have at the very least been massively inconvenienced by this; a single arrest may have enormous consequences for someone's life, even without charges being brought.
http://theadvocate.com/home/6641204-125/…