A funny thing happened on the way to the forum. You see, the anti-gay minister solicited oral s-x from a male cop.http://www.kansascit...
OKLAHOMA CITY | The attorney for a former Baptist church leader who had spoken out against homosexuality said Thursday that the minister has a constitutional right to solicit sex from an undercover policeman.The Rev. Lonnie W. Latham had supported a resolution calling on gays and lesbians to reject their "sinful, destructive lifestyle" before his Jan. 3, 2006, arrest outside the Habana Inn in Oklahoma City.
Authorities allege that Latham asked the undercover policeman to come up to his hotel for oral sex.
Latham's attorney, Mack Martin, filed a motion to have the misdemeanor lewdness charge thrown out, saying the Supreme Court ruled in the 2003 decision Lawrence v. Texas that it was not illegal for consenting adults to engage in private homosexual acts.
"Now, my client's being prosecuted basically for having offered to engage in such an act, which basically makes it a crime to ask someone to do something that's legal," Martin said.
Both sides agree that there was no offer of money, but prosecutor Scott Rowland said there is a "legitimate governmental interest" in regulating offers of acts of lewdness.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma has filed a brief alleging that Latham's arrest also violated his right to free speech.
The argument works for me.
And I love to see a member of the Christian right embracing the ACLU's values.
Many, many years ago my parents took me down what was billed as the crookedest street in the world in San Francisco (can't remember the name of the street). I do remember it doubled back on itself multiple times in a very alarming way.
Flexible values, the moral high road?
Lombard Street -- took my kids there two summers ago
I think he has a good argument -- outside of the workplace, I don't think we legislate against crude come-ons.
It's so interesting to see the changes in our society -- the gradual acceptance of different lifestyles. I am optimistic that (despite the rantings of the right) our society is wending its way towards the European model of toleration.
If lewd were illegal, how does Fox channel stay in business?