Friday, Federal Judge John Tunheim ruled that Twin Cities Pride could not prevent a Wisconsin man, Brian Johnson, attending gay pride celebrations held in a Minneapolis public park, from expressing his right to free speech – by extension expressing his anti-gay viewpoint and distributing Bibles. So Saturday, Johnson, accompanied by his wife, did just that. “I’m passing out Bibles to people who ask me for one,” he said. We’re not going up to anybody and trying to start anything. Our shirt says free Bibles, if they want one, they’ll get one.” Twin Cities Pride board member Jim Kelly said that the judge’s ruling and Johnson’s appearance is “especially offensive because we’re trying to create an event that’s really opening and affirming to gays and lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders, so when they come here they know they’re in a safe space.” Brian Johnson, however, says that he does not attend the Pride Festival “with distinct plans, we’re no big ministry, we have no money, we’re here because God broke my heart.”
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli was asked by a high school student Friday about the constitutional validity of a letter he authored arguing that state colleges and universities did not have to add anti-discrimination protections for gays and lesbians, the student wondering “how is that not a violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment?” Cuccinelli replied “Your question is, why is that not a violation of the 14 Amendment’s equal protection clause. Frankly, the category of sexual orientation would never have been contemplated by the people who wrote and voted for and passed the 14th Amendment. There are judges who think these things ‘evolve,’ is the word they like to use.”
37 year old Timothy Michael Mazza of Charleston, West Virginia has filed a civil lawsuit in a Southern District of West Virginia federal court alleging that he was the victim of an anti-gay attack by three of the city’s police officers in October, 2009, Mazza allegedly assaulted outside his home, his ribs broken, one of three officers kicking him in the ribs while saying “Now take that, you fucking queer.” Mazza says that police had been questioning him about a confrontation with his neighbours, and while he was trying to get inside his home, the three pulled him to the ground, one of the officers grabbing him by the neck, kicking him in the ribs. He was then arrested and charged with two counts of assault and battery on a police officer, however both charges were dismissed in a magistrate court. Both the police chief and Mayor Bob Newell dispute Mazza’s claims. None of three officers would comment. The mayor says that the lawsuit is another reminder that West Virginia requires tort reform. “It is very aggravating that is being handled this way. I’ve dealt with attorneys a lot, and they are trying to get cases settled through public pressure.” Mazza, on orders by both his psychologist and physician, has been unable since October, 2009.
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