No Kissing Zone in Salt Lake!

[SuperDuper! 230]

Gay couple detained by security near Mormon plaza after kiss

7-10-09

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A gay couple say they were detained by security guards on a plaza owned by the Mormon church and later cited by police, claiming it stemmed from a kiss on the cheek.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said that the men became argumentative and refused to leave after being asked to stop their "inappropriate behavior." The men say they were targeted because they are gay.

Matt Aune said he and his partner, Derek Jones, were walking home from a concert nearby on Thursday night, cutting through the plaza near the Salt Lake City Mormon temple.

Aune, 28, said he gave Jones, 25, a hug and kiss and that the two were then approached by a security guard, who asked them to leave, telling them they were being inappropriate and that public displays of affection aren't allowed on the property. He said other guards arrived and the men were handcuffed.

"We asked what we were doing wrong," Aune told The Associated Press.

Church spokeswoman Kim Farah said in a statement Friday that the men were "politely asked to stop engaging in inappropriate behavior — just as any other couple would have been."

"They became argumentative and used profanity and refused to leave the property," she said. The church did not immediately respond to a request for more comment.

Police later arrived and both men were cited with misdemeanor trespassing, Salt Lake City Police Sgt. Robin Snyder said.

"It doesn't matter what they were asked to leave for," Snyder said. "If they are asked to leave and don't they are ... trespassing."

The church has been the target of protests over its support of a ban on gay marriage in California.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Gheys...sheesh.

[thepizzadude 26]

Gheys...sheesh.

Hehehe

[GaryC 7]

It was private property. If there is a rule against PDA then thats the rule, gay or straight.

[Chris_Жанна 11]

It was private property. If there is a rule against PDA then thats the rule, gay or straight.

Which is as enforceable as a "Jaywalking" violation in NYC.....

Now when they were asked to leave and didn't that is a crime and should be punished.

I do wonder if the church security is as quick to enforce this rule to straight couples.

[Niels Bohr 72]

I'd have to agree with GaryC on private property. If you're on the land, and you are not liken, they have every right kick you off. It happens in business where picketers aren't allow to hang around the business property. This is no difference.

[GaryC 7]

It was private property. If there is a rule against PDA then thats the rule, gay or straight.

Which is as enforceable as a "Jaywalking" violation in NYC.....

Now when they were asked to leave and didn't that is a crime and should be punished.

I do wonder if the church security is as quick to enforce this rule to straight couples.

I have been to Salt Lake City. Trust me, if it is on Morman property then they do have that rule and will enforce it when seen. They run that town.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

^ Yeppers. Founders. The title of this thread should be "No Kissing in Zion".

[slim 1,514]

Can you name another institution that engaged in a war with the U.S. government and was not only NOT annihilated, but actually placed in control of their own territory after the battles? Even still today, the LDS is a force to be reckoned with and the feds don't push their luck out that way.