ACLU Argues Anti-Gay Pastor Bust Is Gay Rights Case

[William769]

(Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) The American Civil Liberties Union says that a pastor who frequently speaks out against homosexuality and was arrested last week for propositioning a male police officer was charged in violation of the Supreme Court's ruling on gay sex.

The Rev. Lonnie Latham, 60, appeared briefly in court on Thursday on charges of lewd conduct, a misdemeanor.

Latham was arrested January 3 after allegedly asking an undercover officer to join him in his hotel room for oral sex. Police impounded Latham's 2005 Mercedes. (story)

He was released a day on a $500 bond. As he was leaving jail he said: "I was set up. I was in the area pastoring to police."

Latham has resigned from his church, the board of directors of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and the executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention.

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/01/011206lewdPastor.htm

Grant you this man is a PIG! But what the ACLU says is true. What a shame this hypocrite was outed.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. ACLU walks its talk

which is to be a champion for the Constitution. I know what you mean-its helped the KKK, Rush, and God only knows how many more conservatives. Wonder how many of them, after being helped, still say it is a bad organization?

[BR_Parkway]

2. I would almost love for the ACLU to tell these bigots that bash them

and us all the time (OxyRush anyone) "well, you really do a have an issue that we could help with, but we've decided not to since you've made it clear how actively you oppose our mission"

I'm glad that they don't, but still wistfully wonder what the reaction would be.

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. Maybe, maybe not

If there was an offer to exchange sex for money, even an implied one, then the transaction is not protected by the Lawrence decision. In many places, "lewd conduct" is the statute used to prosecute prostitution.