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.''
Get a room.
Of course you are; why do you lie?
This is not skin color, it's abnormal sexual deviation! Your ploy will not work forever...
And if you don't like people telling you to stop being freaky-deaky, that's your problem not ours.
Ah, the "many truths" idea?
Truth, by its nature, is exclusive - there can be, (and is) only one Truth, and one source of Truth, not many truths.
Our nation was founded, (aw, you know this one), on the Truth of the Holy Bible. Not believing in this Truth makes it no less valid.
And the Truth about homosexuality is that is a perversion, and an abomination before God. Period.
OOPS, put your dunce cap back on. Your perceptions are just that, perceptions.
And that does not even say that I support anti sodomy laws
Well, do you or not? That was the original question. You have danced long enough for the music to have stopped.
- just that I agree the people in local communities (cities, counties, states) have the ability to pass them.
BINGO!!! You got it! Take your cap off again.
They have the ability. The question is; are they legitimate just because some people enact them? The answer is no. The point I made was that governments rountinely make dumb laws.
Hey, thanks! I've been looking for a good lawsuit for years. Now I know how it's done, I'll be sure to share my winnings with you.
The real Thomas Jefferson did.
He certainly did. I recall having a lengthy debate a few months ago with this gentleman who goes by the user name of ThomasJefferson. I quoted for him some of the real Thomas Jefferson's proposed penal statutes for the state of Virginia. To sum it up: Buggery = death penalty. Perhaps he should change his user name?
Do you advocate the use of force for that purpose?
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