RSS
Home
Gay couple caught kissing outside Salt Lake LDS Temple, cited for trespassing
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Video Courtesy of KSL.com
Matt Aune and Derek Jones were holding hands as they passed through Main Street Plaza on their way home from the Gallivan Center yesterday. Then Aune kissed Jones on the cheek and security guards approached, asking them to leave.
Main Street Plaza is land owned by the LDS Church, and bans "protesting, smoking, sunbathing and other offensive, indecent, obscene, lewd or disorderly speech, dress or conduct." Security told the couple that public displays of affection was
considered inappropriate behavior.
Aune and Jones refused to leave, saying that they were unfairly targeted and routinely observe couples displaying affection on the property. The Plaza is a popular location for wedding photos, like this one from UtahBrideandGroom.com.
The LDS Church purchased the land in a heated controversy in 2003. After lengthy legal debates and lawsuits, what was once public land is now privately-owned space that is open to the public. It is much like a small park, and a popular path for pedestrians as they navigate downtown Salt Lake City. The result of one lawsuit determined that:
The bottom line is that city residents and visitors alike will continue to pass through the Plaza and be ‘funneled’ to the City’s central commercial and shopping district, but as they do so they will be subjected to the LDS Church’s point of view without the ability to respond with views of their own, at the risk of being jailed for trespass.
When Aune and Jones refused to leave, they were handcuffed and cited for trespassing.
There's no doubt that church security has every legal right to eject anyone they like from the property, and anyone refusing to do so is in violation of the law.
It would be unfortunate if a couple was targeted for being gay, however. Especially over something so simple and harmless.
Perhaps the next time we find ourselves passing through the Plaza, we should all remember to give our partner, gay or straight, a hug or a quick kiss on the cheek. No need to be indencent, lewd, or obscene. And of course we should leave if asked to. How much security would it take to stop every simple gesture of affection?
Email Jonathan: slcfreethinking@gmail.com
Read Jonathan's other articles on science and religion
Related Articles:
Comments
