Okilly-Dokilly!
Posted on 01/08/2003 8:57:31 AM PST by Deadeye Division
Confrontation over gay kiss sparks battle
Wednesday, January 8, 2003
Dean Narciso
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Like so many people who say goodbye before heading on a trip, T.J. Williams hugged and kissed his partner while he waited to board a Greyhound bus.
Had the object of his affection been a woman, the parting likely would have gone unnoticed.
But a security guard at the Downtown bus terminal was watching and told Williams: "People here don't like to see that freaky-deaky stuff.'' He asked Williams to stop, according to a Columbus police report that was filed on the incident that occurred last spring.
Since that time, Williams has turned down an offer of money from Greyhound. He was in Columbus yesterday to raise awareness of the issue.
"This has happened so many times," Williams said. "Unfortunately, because people don't want to come out, these things are kind of swept under the carpet.''
The tension on that June 15 morning escalated when Williams asked to see a manager.
Williams, 32, a Youngstown resident who calls himself a contemporary Christian singer and composer, was called "trouble'' by the manager and told to leave.
In a Greyhound report, the guard -- Michael Forney of Global One, the security company that Greyhound contracts with -- said he was summoned about 4 a.m. by passengers who complained about two men kissing outside the terminal.
"As I approached . . . I noticed that they (were) kissing passionately and grabbing each other's buttocks. I simply asked the gentlemen to conduct themselves as adults,'' Forney says in the report.
Calls to Global One and Greyhound were not returned yesterday. Forney also couldn't be reached.
Williams denies that his behavior was lewd.
At least one witness agrees.
"I was tired and worn out from traveling. They seemed really happy,'' said Erica Wiggins, 22, who was stopped in Columbus while on a trip to Canada. "It made me happy to see them happy.''
Wiggins' male friend asked the guard, "Would you say that to me if it were me and my girlfriend?'' The guard responded, "That's different,'' recalled Wiggins, of Kansas City, Mo.
Williams -- who is black -- said he's prepared to become a symbol for gays and other minorities. "The fact that I was kissing a white man, and kissing a man, played into their own sexism, racism and homophobia.''
Last summer, Williams filed a formal complaint with the Columbus Community Relations Commission, which investigates discrimination.
He has turned down a $500 offer from Greyhound that the commission brokered. It would have absolved the bus company of guilt or future legal action.
He has instead appealed to the commission, asking for $100,000 from Greyhound and Global One, sensitivity training, Forney's firing and new policies at Greyhound.
Yesterday, Williams met with the gay-rights group Stonewall Columbus for advice. He said he's prepared to file a federal suit, but what he most wants is justice and to empower others.
"I think that there are times that all of us have to be a little bit of Rosa Parks and Jesse Jackson. Otherwise, society doesn't change, folks don't learn.''
I beg to differ...
FMCDH
This has nothing to do with race...but everything to do with sexual deviancy made public.
Call me daffy, but somehow I find it comforting that there is in this world a person who uses the term "freaky-deaky."
And he might add, "Have you no shame?"
Okilly-Dokilly!
I just threw up a little bit into my mouth. Thanks. Some dribbled onto my keyboard.
And money. The game plan is to conduct yourself in a disgusting manner. When someone asks you to stop (especially someone who's representing a business entity), complain and sue.
Who the hell wants to see that in public, and they wonder why people want them back in the closet.
There is the beginnings of a ground-swell against these radical, in-your-face homosexuals, and it has nothing to do with "homophobia" and everything to do with morality.
Out of how many witnesses interviewed, Mr fair & balanced reporter?
Wow, a three-fer. If one of these guys had been differently-abled they would have really hit the jackpot.
Do you support such laws?
There was a story posted here about a year ago about three queer crossdrssers who went into a Toys R Us and did just that. Made all sorts of claims about the employees actions and words. They were offered several hundred dollars in gift certificates, but declined and sued instead. Don't know what ever happened.
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