Gay Couple Detained for Kissing
July 15, 2009
It used to be Main Street in Salt Lake City – a road through the heart of downtown. Now it seems a stroll down this stretch of land can result in fines and physical restraint if you appear to be a gay couple who shows any type of innocent affection towards each other.
On July 9, on the Mormon Church-owned Main Street Plaza in Salt Lake City, a gay couple of five years was roughed up and detained by Mormon church security for what the couple and most media outlets report to be a mere kiss on the cheek.
According to their own accounts, the couple, Derek Jones, 25, and Matthew Aune, 28, were walking home when they paused for a brief hug and peck. Mormon Church security officers demanded the couple leave for engaging in “inappropriate behavior.” Aune demanded to know why they were being kicked out. After a brief argument, the security officers pushed Jones to the ground and then handcuffed both of the men. The couple was detained while waiting for Salt Lake City police to arrive. The police cited both men with misdemeanor trespassing charges.
Matt Aune and Derek Jones pictured in The Salt Lake Tribune
This was a highly visible news story, and received coverage in both the state’s major newspapers, major radio stations and all the local television news shows.
What’s striking is that the coverage of the Mormon Church-owned media outlets – KSL (NBC affiliate) and the Deseret News – reported the story differently than the rest of the media outlets.
A look at the headlines about the incident makes the discrepancy very clear:
· The Salt Lake Tribune: “Trespassing case? Gay couple detained after kiss near LDS temple”
· The Associated Press: “Gay couple detained near Mormon plaza after kiss”
· KUTV (CBS affiliate): “LDS Security Detains Affectionate Couple on Plaza”
· Deseret News: “2 Men Cited in Trespassing on LDS Plaza”
What’s more, every news report about the incident makes clear that it was a kiss on the cheek or a peck, except the Deseret News, which is much less clear about what Aune and Jones were actually doing. The Deseret News description of events is also sparse on details about how many security guards out-numbered the couple and the physical force used by officers to detain the couple. Though neither Aune nor Jones required medical attention, both had bruises and scrapes from the force used by the security officers. KSL, the church-owned NBC affiliate’s story is also heavily one-sided.
In response, former Salt Lake City Councilwoman Deeda Seed organized a Sunday “Kiss-In” at the plaza to publicly demonstrate how Aune and Jones were singled out for engaging in behavior that is otherwise accepted at the same location when engaged in by straight couples.
The follow-up reports by The Salt Lake Tribune recounts, “This time, though, they had an audience of more than a hundred,” when talking about the “Kiss-In.” The Associated Press reports, “About 100 people gathered.” The Deseret News reports, “…about 60 people.” The church-owned NBC affiliate, KSL, reports, “Dozens of people.” It is curious how the church-owned newspaper and television station come up with a number approximately half what other media outlets report.
This could all be circumstantial, but as GLAAD has reported on this blog before, the Deseret News has been widely criticized – even by its own reporters – for not giving accurate and fair accounts of LGBT issues.
In May, the Columbia Journalism Review gave the Deseret News a “Dart,” for “dereliction of journalistic duty” in coverage of the Mormon Church’s involvement in Proposition 8 and the National Organization for Mariage.
The Deseret News is owned by the Mormon Church. However, not until recently has the paper’s journalistic integrity began to be questioned. The Deseret News, and any media outlet, fails to retain journalistic integrity when it ceases to fairly and accurately report on LGBT issues, and downplay any potentially negative coverage of the Mormon Church’s treatment of LGBT issues. This week, the one-sided reports related to Aune and Jone’s brief kiss, and the physical force church officials allegedly used in reaction to that affection, is just another example of why the paper continues to lose credibility.
Related Posts:Top 50 Rabbi List Includes LGBT Allies
April 20, 2009
Last month GLAAD featured a national survey of Jewish synagogues by Jewish Mosaic and the Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation. The survey documented great support for LGBT inclusion by rabbis and the need for clear practices for that welcome.
A timely follow up to the survey is Newsweek’s annual compilation of the 50 most influential rabbis released on April 4. Many of the rabbis on the list are already demonstrating their acceptance of LGBT issues including marriage for gay and lesbian couple – further supporting the survey’s data on LGBT inclusion.
Here are just some of the LGBT friendly rabbis featured in Newsweek’s list – you can weigh in if there are other rabbis who deserve kudos for their support of LGBT equality and tell us about their accomplishments for equality.
Other noteworthy rabbis not included on the list are Rabbi Toba Spitzer, open lesbian and president of the Reconstructionist Movement, and Rabbi Denise Eger, vice president of the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis, president of the Southern California Board of Rabbis and outspoken faith leader against Prop 8.
#1 David Saperstein – As previously blogged by GLAAD, Saperstein was recently invited to participate as a member of the White House faith-based council. He is the Director of Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism which has an LGBT rights program that is challenging Prop. 8 in California.
Rabbi Harold Schulweis
#8 Eric Yoffee – He is head of the Reform movement which supports welcoming LGBT people. Rabbi Yoffee welcomes and encourages congregations to bless gay couples.
#16 J. J. Rolando Matalon – In 2005, Matalon demonstrated support for another rabbi who faced expulsion due to a technical error. Matalon cited her ministry to the LGBT Jewish community in New York as a reason for his support.
#19 Jeffrey Wohlberg – After leaders of Conservative Judaism agreed to ordain gay rabbis and endorse same-sex commitment ceremonies in 2006, Wohlberg chaired a committee that recommended the structure for Conservative commitment ceremonies of same-sex unions. He also stated his willingness to perform the ceremonies.
#21 Harold M. Schulweis – Schulweis called the 2006 decision a “very courageous thing and is part of the evolution of religious mores.” Schulweis is also the co-author of the book Lesbian and Gay Families Speak Out.
#23 Dan Ehrenkrantz – Along with other Jewish leaders, Ehrenkrantz released a statement applauding the 2006 decision in favor of ordaining openly gay rabbis stating that it is “a step toward advancing the rights of gay and lesbian Jews.”
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum
#25 Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum – Rabbi Kleinbauem is the Senior Rabbi of New York City’s synagogue for the LGBT Jewish community, Congregation Beth Simchat Torah (CBST). Under her leadership, CBST has become an important voice in Judaism and in the movement to secure basic civil rights for gay people. She has also testified in Federal Court and before the U.S. Congress in hearings on the subject of same-sex marriage.
#32 Stephen Pearce – Rabbi Pearce is the leader at Temple Emanu-El, San Francisco’s largest synagogue, which regularly performs same-sex weddings. Pearce was a vocal supporter of Mayor Gavin Newsom’s move to allow same-sex marriage.
#34 Kerry M. Olitzky – Wrote about how “the big tent” includes ordination of LGBT people in Conservative Judaism as well as Hillel’s new welcoming resource for Jewish students and campus leaders is progressive and welcoming.
#40 Bradley Shavit Artson - A supporter of full religious equality for gays, Rabbi Artson wrote a paper in 1992 advocating gay ordinations and unions. The paper also advocated lifting the ban on gay sex. He has argued that homosexuality is consistent with Jewish law, “provided that this sexuality is expressed within the context of a mutually exclusive, committed adult relationship.”
Rabbi Joy Levitt
#41 Rabbi Elliot Dorff – He co-wrote the legal opinion allowing gay ordination and same-sex unions. Rabbi Dorff also spoke out against Prop. 8 in California.
#48 Jill Jacobs – Rabbi Jacobs has been an avid supporter of social justice issues including equality for women and gays and lesbians.
#49 Joy Levitt – Rabbi Joy Levitt is the Executive Director at the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan. The LGBTQ outreach program was one of the first two programs developed at the center.
Gay Couple’s Honor Defended in Sports Bar
March 26, 2009
New Jersey
The news/entertainment program “What Would You Do?” recently aired a segment involving a gay couple at a sports bar. The premise behind the show is to have performers act out ethical dilemmas and videotape the responses of the public.
This past Tuesday, the show’s segment entitled, “Would You Help This Gay Couple?” was filmed at a sports bar in Linden, NJ. Real-life gay couple and actors Dusty St. Amand and Dominic Benevento sat at a bar like any other couple, holding hands, hugging and kissing.
Another set of actors portrayed a straight couple sitting across from them. And finally, another actor, Vince August, was hired to play a homophobic bar patron.
Throughout the segment Vince August would make homophobic comments trying to egg on other patrons to denigrate the gay couple. However, most of the patrons came to the gay couple’s defense. One man told August to pipe down, turned to the couple and said, “You don’t have to go, you didn’t do anything wrong. I think you’re beautiful.”
And one woman was so upset at August’s comments that she got into a shouting match with him stating, “You’re making me uncomfortable. Nobody in this bar is making me uncomfortable but you.” She was so upset with August’s homophobic attitude that she left the bar.
While I’ve never been a fan of hidden camera journalism, it does have its place. For example, one patron remarked the gay couple was disgusting, but once the cameras were brought out he claimed he didn’t care if the couple was there and kissing. The hidden news cameras were able to capture an unfiltered moment.
You can watch the entire segment here:
Top Stories Today – 09.25.2008
September 25, 2008
National News:
- Associated Press – Calif. Religious Leaders Push for Gay Marriage Ban
- The Washington Post – COLUMN: Benefits for Same-Sex Partners Focus of Senate Hearing
- People.com – Ellen DeGeneres Defends the Right to Gay Marriage
Regional News:
- San Francisco Chronicle (CA) – Poll: Same-Sex Marriage Ban Not Wooing Voters
- Sacramento Bee (CA) – Body of Transgender Person Pulled from American River
- Clovis News Journal (NM) – Student Publications Code Passed,
- The Dallas Morning News (TX) – Ex-Player Alleges SMU Coach Challenged Her Sex Life
- Chicago Tribune (IL) – Study Supports Gay Adoptions
- The Tampa Tribune (FL) – OP-ED: Amendment 2 Threatens Legal Rights
- The Baltimore Sun (MD) – OP-ED: Compromise Necessary in Gay Marriage Debate
- The Detroit News (MI) – COLUMN: Hollywood Ignores Book Banners
- Arizona Daily Star (AZ) – Clergy Against Ballot Measure on Marriage Voice Objections
- The Charlotte News-Observer (NC) – Fans Adapt to a New Clay Aiken
- New York Post (NY) – Lohan Confirms Lesbian Relationship
International News:
- Reuters (Turkey) – Turkish Transsexual Singer Faces Army Accusations
- The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) – Same-Sex Bill Passes Lower House
- BBC News (Bosnia) – Clashes at Bosnia’s Gay Festival
- BBC News (United Kingdom) – Gay Soldier Receives MoD Apology
From the Blogosphere:
- POPwrap (New York Post) – Simon Calls Gay Clay “Unbelievable”
- TV Eye (Hartford Courant) – Hannah, Isis Both Go On ‘Top Model’
- Sound Board (Los Angeles Times) – Clay Aiken Said ‘Yes’ Instead of ‘Yep’: Gay Pride in Celeb-Speak
- The Huffington Post – On Civil Rights And Gay Rights, McCain Flunks The Test
- Ellen – My Political Point… And I Do Have One
- Queerty – Being Gay In Iraq’s Bad News
- Towleroad – 9 Injured as Muslim Protestors Clash with Gays in Sarajevo
- Andrew Sullivan – Palin’s Gay Friends?
- Gay News Blog – Number of gay, lesbian households in Utah rising
- iChatGay – A gay contestant in CBS Survivor Gabon
- Box Turtle Buletin – “Yes on Prop 8″ Signs On A Slow Boat From China
- 365Gay.com – Senate hearing on domestic partner benefits
- Gay News Blog – Baltimore Police Probe Shooting As Possible Hate Crime
- The Bilerico Project – Gay Couple Speaks Out about Florida Adoption Ban Victory
- Queerty – Michelle Calls On Gays To Support Final Days Of Campaign
- 365Gay.com – Ahmadinejad: Still no gays in Iran
- GayPolitics.com – Source: Gay rumors sabotaged Rice’s VP chances
- Gay News Blog – Black leaders to announce support for gay-marriage ban
- The Bilerico Project – Barney Frank writes Library of Congress about Schroer case
