Kiss'll get you cuffed in Salt Lake City

[ccharles000]

The Salt Lake Tribune reports

A gay couple says they were detained by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints security guards after one man kissed another on the cheek Thursday on Main Street Plaza.

"They targeted us," said Matt Aune, 28. "We weren't doing anything inappropriate or illegal, or anything most people would consider inappropriate for any other couple."

The pair stood their ground rather than move on, as apparently the security guards asked them to do. They were subsequently roughed up handcuffed, and given a trespassing citation by the later-arriving police. Does anyone doubt that they were confronted by security because they're gay? No. But here's the rub: Main Street Plaza is now, apparently, private property.

The plaza has been the subject of a complex land and public easement trade between the LDS church and Salt Lake City. According to ACLU of Utah, the court ultimately ruled that although the plaza still effectively serves as a main pedestrian thoroughfare through downtown Salt Lake City, it is now private property and activities there can be controlled at the whim of the church. So technically the two men probably were trespassing if they didn't leave immediately when asked. But I have to say, looking at the picture of the central location of that plaza, that this almost amounts to entrapment. Walking that thing must be like running a gauntlet for emotionally healthy gay people living honest lives.

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/11977/kissll-get-you-cuffed-in-salt-lake-city

[cboy4]

1. Is there a greater hell than being gay and living in Mormon Town USA?

Actually, I have gay friends in SLC who say the town isn't as bad as I think.

My response is always, mmmmm hmmmmmm.

[DontTreadOnMe]

2. I wish they would organize a huge gay festival in SLC

Make it a yearly tradition.

I would go just to videotape the reactions.

[cboy4]

3. They already do .. every June .. for Pride

[BlueIris]

5. That's great art. nt

[Richmark Sentinel]

4. Saturday nights must just fly by...

...in Salt Lake City

http://www.richmarksentinel.com/rs_headlines.asp?recid=128

[Gen. Jack D. Ripper]

6. Fuck Utah

Sometimes I just hate it here. If you live in this state, the Mormon church owns you, gay or straight.

Last night I went to a party at the home of some friends of mine, a gay couple, who have been together several years now and would like to adopt. Unfortunately, they will never have that chance, at least not as long as they live in Utah, despite being two of the nicest, most genuine, and caring people I know. It just makes me sick.

[Spider Jerusalem]

7. Utah is a creepy quasi-theocracy run by socially reactionary cultists.

I'd say there's an excellent case for Federal intervention on First Amendment church and state grounds.

[backscatter712]

8. I get confused and call the Church of Latter-Day Saints the LSD Church...

because Joseph Smith had to be on acid when he wrote the Book of Mormon...

It shows!