Two gay men with with developmental and intellectual disabilities were kicked out of a swimming area at The Pavilion, a government recreational facility in Hazard, Kentucky. The men were clients of Mending Hearts, Inc. which provides support for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, according to the Kentucky Equality Federation.
The KEF says that the official that kicked the men out cited The Bible as the reason:
"The Pavilion staff immediately entered the pool area and asked my clients and their staff to leave the Pavilion," stated Shirlyn Perkins, Executive Director of [Mending Hearts]. "My staff asked The Pavilion staff why they were being asked to leave, and they were informed that 'gay people' weren't allowed to swim there. My staff told this man that what he was trying to do was discrimination. The man stated that what he was doing was in the Bible and he could do it. My staff continued to argue with this man, but was ultimately forced to leave. My clients, whom already feel ridiculed and different, left the city owned facility crying and embarrassed for trying to participate in 'normal' activities that everyday 'normal' people do."
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"Two Jewish men with with developmental and intellectual disabilities were kicked out of a swimming area at The Pavilion, a government recreational facility in Hazard, Kentucky. The men were clients of Mending Hearts, Inc. which provides support for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, according to the Kentucky Equality Federation.
The KEF says that the official that kicked the men out cited Mein Kampf as the reason:
"The Pavilion staff immediately entered the pool area and asked my clients and their staff to leave the Pavilion," stated Shirlyn Perkins, Executive Director of [Mending Hearts]. "My staff asked The Pavilion staff why they were being asked to leave, and they were informed that 'Jewish people' weren't allowed to swim there. My staff told this man that what he was trying to do was discrimination. The man stated that what he was doing was in Mein Kampf and he could do it. My staff continued to argue with this man, but was ultimately forced to leave. My clients, whom already feel ridiculed and different, left the city owned facility crying and embarrassed for trying to participate in 'Gemnan' activities that everyday 'German' people do."
FIXED
From what the article says, this was a public pool, so your oh-so-christian-love-based prejudices don't apply, sorry.
BTW how did they know the guys were gay?
they were informed that 'gay people' weren't allowed to swim there.
Among the first things one should say, under these circumstances, is always "Give me a written copy of your rules. Show me where it says that." Another useful one is something along the lines of "What is your full name, who is your immediate superior, and where can I find him or her?" If they refuse either, you can be sure they're making that shit up on the spot.
That's what you get for letting Boss Hogg run things. Just need them Duke boys to set things right.
Seriously, there should be a lawsuit. City owned property. Discrimination based on sexual orientation. Government establishment of religion. Yep, looks pretty airtight.
"The man stated that what he was doing was in the Bible and he could do it."
Stoning someone to death?
Yeah, see, there's the Bible, and then there's U.S. law. The two do not intersect, no matter how much you would like it to be so.
Also, say goodbye to your job.
"The man stated that what he was doing was in the Bible"
Last time I read the Bible, there was nothing in the Ten Commandments that said 'Thou shalt not bar people from the swimming pool just because you don't like them'
"and he could do it."
Yeah? And The Bible states that you must stone gays. So go on.
image
You want to accelerate that lovely (C)Rapture via 'suicide by cop', you go right ahead.
Frankly, said gay men finding themselves a lawyer (especially one who specialises in Civil Rights cases; not taking into account discriminating against disabled people), and suing you into oblivion, will be the least of your problems.
Figures.
Just as acceptance of gay marriage is supported by 50% of the people, people like this get even more hateful. Not allowed to swim because of their orientation? WTF?
They are going to get sued. So. Badly.
It's bad enough that the asshole kicked them out because they are (could be?) gay, but they were developmentally challenged as well. Wonder if he enjoys kicking puppies and drowning kittens as well. Poor men.
@Anon-E-Moose: Revy for the win!
The man stated that what he was doing was in the Bible and he could do it.
I don't care what the Bible says; the laws of the nation override the laws of the Bible. If these freaks don't like that, they should leave and start their own country.
Besides, the Pavilion staff didn't kick these people out because the Bible authorized it. They did so because they are assholes.
The man stated that what he was doing was in the Bible and he could do it.
I don't care what the Bible says; the laws of the nation override the laws of the Bible. If these freaks don't like that, they should leave and start their own country.
Besides, the Pavilion staff didn't kick these people out because the Bible authorized it. They did so because they are assholes.
As someone from Kentucky, I just want you all to know that we're not all like this. A lot of us are rational non-believers, and a growing number of us are gay and trans. That's why this occurred: the older generation, the moral 'superiors' are running scared that their grasp is waning.
The man stated that what he was doing was in the Bible and he could do it.
And this is why the bible isn't part of the U.S. legal code.
I wish I were a lawyer so I could take on this case pro bono. Which means I'd have to have that U2 singer as a partner, I guess.
The man stated that what he was doing was in the Bible and he could do it
Bashing the heads of small children against rocks is also in the Bible. That does NOT mean you can do it and get away with it.
How the heck did they know that the men were gay? Where they wearing T-shirts stating that fact or what?
*puts on fundie hat*
My staff asked The Pavilion staff why they were being asked to leave, and they were informed that 'gay people' weren't allowed to swim there. My staff told this man that what he was trying to do was discrimination. The man stated that what he was doing was in the Bible and he could do it.
Praise the Lawd! What an excellent example of justice and morality!
My staff asked The Pavilion staff why they were being asked to leave, and they were informed that 'Christian people' weren't allowed to swim there. My staff told this man that what he was trying to do was discrimination. The man stated that what he was doing was in the Qu'ran and he could do it.
DISCRIMINATION!!! PERSECUATION!!! OMG WHAT HAS THE WORLD COME TO?!?
*takes off fundie hat*
Ow, I think that hat just killed a large number of my brain cells.
The man stated that what he was doing was in the Bible and he could do it.
The Bible says you can sell your daughter as a sex slave. Can he do that, too?
THOSE SHITHEADED MOTHERFUCKING BASTARD SONS OF BIBLE-THUMPING CRACKWHORE BITCHES!
Oh, it's not enough that you pick on the gay guys 'cause they're gay, oh no, YOU, being the special fucking snowflake that you are (have fun burning in hell, by the way; you won't last long), have to pick on the gay guys with DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS!
FUCKTARD. Nothing can excuse THIS. You're a new breed of bastard, darling.
My staff told this man that what he was trying to do was discrimination. The man stated that what he was doing was in the Bible and he could do it
Sue the fucker's balls off for so much that he won't see the light of day for a long time!
When he trips on the street and breaks his face and cries out for help, tell him to pray for it instead, to accept the pain as penance, and to shut the fuck up. Then walk away.
Self-righteous bastard.
Next up: American Christian Fundamentalist have found a way to time-travel back into the 1800s! Strangely enough it only works on them and leaves everyone else unaffected and still living in the present reality.
"They've always had trouble grasping... well... concepts!", a local expert on Christian fundamentalists explains.
This report was brought to you by Extra Strength crazy pills, the pills endorsed by Michele Bachmann, why dishwasher turnips, when you fart clocks over turtle neck jousting!
"whom already feel ridiculed and different, left the city owned facility crying and embarrassed for trying to participate in 'normal' activities that everyday 'normal' people do."
Oh my god. This made me so sad.
Wait, if they have developmental and intellectual abilities, in which way could they be "gay", that is, consenting?. Would it rather be the reason why they wanted to kick them out?. Come on, guys, discriminate. If you play the gay card you'll have some idiots on your side.
@Delirium
Shorten that to "people with disabilities," plzthxappreciateit.
We're human, too -- we have the same feelings, same need for love (both platonic and romantic), and the same desires as you "normal" folk. Don't be so squicked out by it, man.
I can see where, with intellectual and developmental disabilities, there can be a grey area, because every patient is unique, so you can't really say "nobody with Downs is capable of consenting," even though a (perhaps significant, I don't know the statistics) portion of people with Downs Syndrome may be unable to consent because of their condition. Others may possess a sufficient level of understanding to give consent. So, yeah, it can be kind of a funny grey area, but I think if someone is competent enough to be able to express their desire, they're competent enough to give consent.
I'm surprised the jackass didn't try to lick their tears off their faces. Clearly he gets off on it.
And Headache, given ten minutes, I could probably pull up a number of similar cases outside the US, so take your ball and go home.
I know in Virginia it is legal to discriminate against people based on sexual orientation, stupid Gov. McDonnell. It might be the same in Kentucky. If so, maybe this lawsuit can overturn the discrimination law.
I don't think this will go over very well in court, given that it was a public facility.
Also, didn't Jesus say to respect the laws of the government you are living under?
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
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