New Orleans French Quarter Divided on Bill Aimed at Public Sex

The Times-Picayune ^ | 05/19/2003 | Steve Ritea

[MikeJ75]

.... Neither does the Rev. Grant Storms, a rock-ribbed Christian conservative known in certain sections of the Quarter for moral crusades, most notably for videotaping what he brands "orgies" in the streets during the 2002 Southern Decadence festival.

In the past year, copies of his tape have made their way into the hands of local politicos and evangelical church leaders throughout the metro area. The tape struck a chord with state Rep. Danny Martiny, R-Kenner, who filed House Bill 1981, which would increase the penalty for public sex to a mandatory 10 days in jail.

"I cannot conceive that anyone who looks at this tape would say this is acceptable," Martiny said.

His bill, passed unanimously Thursday by the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice, could come up for a vote on the House floor as early as today.

[MikeJ75]

A portion of the article not excerpted above says that the new bill specifically exempts women baring their breasts, a popular Mardi Gras tradition. I think this exception is an economic tourism issue for New Orleans.

[Thud]

Next I expect the clergy to go after the bars which don't have doors and have been open 24/7 since VJ day.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Why don't they ban all the puking too?

[Fractal Trader]

Ever since Easy Rider, public sex has been de rigeur for New Orleans, especially during Mardi Gras.

If this proposal had been enacted when I was around, I would be doing a jailhoused stint ... no further explanation.

[Richard Kimball]

the Rev. Grant Storms, a rock-ribbed Christian conservative known in certain sections of the Quarter for moral crusades, most notably for videotaping what he brands "orgies" in the streets during the 2002 Southern Decadence festival

So, is he trying to compete with "Girls Gone Wild"?

[Arkie2]

Too damn cheap to get a motel room?

[Fractal Trader]

Perhaps, but its part of the tradition, you know.

[ought-six]

Come on. It's Mardi Gras. As they say: "Laizzes le bon temp roulee." In other words, "Let the good times roll!"

[FreeLibertarian]

A very sad moment was when I returned to New Orleans after fifteen years to find that the House Of The Rising Sun on Bourbon Street had been taken over by a Christian Evangelist.

Is nothing sacred?

[TheWillardHotel]

Good news.

Don't leave out the "soap and firehouse" clause.

[roadcat]

"New Orleans French Quarter Divided on Bill Aimed at Public Sex"

I misunderstood the title. Was going to make travel arrangements, thinking public sex was getting allowed in part of the French Quarter. Oh well. (Seriously, no one pays much attention to that here in San Francisco.)

[freedumb2003]

>>"New Orleans French Quarter Divided on Bill Aimed at Public Sex"

I misunderstood the title. <<

You think YOU misunderstood? I saw:

"New Orleans Public Sex Divided on Bill's Aim"

I thought they were figuring out who should pay for the prostitutes last time Clinton was in town!

[plain talk]

No, he's, uh, just doing research.

[Major_Risktaker]

Check out the sponsors: The SoutherDecadence Sponsors Same Old Suspects

1000 SODOMITES LINKS in this case. IT's A Very Scary Link, but this is their MO, to, well you know.

This assault will never stop.

[sharktrager]

At Place Pigalle, one of several French Quarter shops that offer a gamut of sex toys, the manager's opinion about a proposal to stiffen the penalties for public copulation are notably more conservative than the wares she sells.

"I just don't think people should be having sex on the street. . . . It's a moral thing," said manager Eileen Ballenger, standing before a wall covered with simulated genitalia of assorted shapes and colors. Suddenly realizing the irony of her setting, Ballenger added, "Just because we sell sexual items, we don't advocate loose sex."

Neither does the Rev. Grant Storms, a rock-ribbed Christian conservative known in certain sections of the Quarter for moral crusades, most notably for videotaping what he brands "orgies" in the streets during the 2002 Southern Decadence festival.

In the past year, copies of his tape have made their way into the hands of local politicos and evangelical church leaders throughout the metro area. The tape struck a chord with state Rep. Danny Martiny, R-Kenner, who filed House Bill 1981, which would increase the penalty for public sex to a mandatory 10 days in jail.

"I cannot conceive that anyone who looks at this tape would say this is acceptable," Martiny said.

His bill, passed unanimously Thursday by the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice, could come up for a vote on the House floor as early as today.

It can be said that Bourbon Street -- with its clubs advertising "live sex acts" and T-shirts bearing sayings such as "Horny on days that end with 'Y' " -- almost eggs people on.

"People come down here expecting it to be sort of a playground," said Scott Obenschain, a French Quarter resident.

But if some envision the Quarter as a sexual playground, resident Patty Marino said she doesn't want New Orleans to live up to those expectations.

Even though Martiny's bill prohibits publicly engaging in "vaginal, oral or anal sexual intercourse," some say his bill targets the gay community and its informal annual gathering, the Southern Decadence festival.

"I think they're just trying to single out gay people," said Rob Clemenz, another Quarter resident.

"They already have laws on the books. They're not enforced, and this stems from somebody b -- -- -- - about Southern Decadence," added Daryl Wilson, a bartender at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop.

Public sex can be prosecuted under Louisiana's existing obscenity statutes, but Martiny said the additional threat of at least 10 days behind bars could provide an added deterrent.

Martiny also denied suggestions that his bill targets gay people, saying it applies to heterosexual acts too.

"Rep. Martiny's intentions are honorable and equitable, but there is also no question in my mind that Grant Storms' motivation is fueled by his own homophobia, and I challenge him to produce such tapes from Mardi Gras if he insists he's not picking on gay people," said Christopher Daigle, chairman of the Louisiana Lesbian and Gay Political Action Caucus.

Storms denied the accusation, though a news release put out by his organization, Christian Conservatives for Reform, is titled: "A Gay Friendly City Is Not a Family Friendly City." He said he chose to attack Southern Decadence because "Mardi Gras is a lot bigger and a lot more difficult to battle."

He doesn't need to videotape Bourbon Street antics during Carnival, he said, because countless tapes, such as the popular "Girls Gone Wild" series, are readily available. Martiny's bill specifically exempts women showing their breasts, the principal subject of "Girls Gone Wild."

Mike Chapman, a clerk at the French Quarter Postal Emporium, said he thinks it's obscene that Martiny would seek to further saddle the New Orleans Police Department with arresting and imprisoning people caught having sex in public when countless murders in the city are going unsolved.

Public sex, he said, "is the last thing they should worry about."

And Bill Field, a bartender at Johnny White's Hole in the Wall, questioned one part of the bill, which prohibits public sex "for the purpose of gaining the attention of the public."

"How could you prove that intent before a jury?" Field said. "I would think that makes it more difficult to obtain a conviction."

For his part, Field said he doesn't have any real problem with the libidinous acts that take place on Bourbon Street from time to time, but quickly added: "I wouldn't do it myself. My grandmother would shoot me."

[Blue Collar Christian]

I've watched "COPS" where they are busting women and men for exposing (women's)breasts and genitals. Something is already going on for the benifit of indecent exposure. This preacher sounds like he's trying to make it a more servere penalty for oral, anal and vaginal copulation in public. He is doing what he is convicted to do by God, and is legally entitled to petition the legislators for what he believes is right.

For those of you on this thread against this bill, "shame on you, you know better".

BTW, I'm not above having behaved badly in my past, but it is for sure that I knew better, and stiff penalties for that behavior might have prevented this public foolery.

[John Beresford Tipton]

"copies of his tape have made their way into the hands of local politicos and evangelical church leaders throughout the metro area."

Er...,
Hey Rev.,
Was that a prayer circle,
or a circle jerk?

[kezekiel]

While walking down a perfectly public San Francisco avenue on a Saturday evening, I passed a gay couple happily engaged in a public sex act. My wife once had to take our daughter away from a street fair, because gay men were cavorting nude with one another on balconies.

I'm not singling out gays. They were just the only ones actually doing it.

[drjimmy]

BTW, I'm not above having behaved badly in my past, but it is for sure that I knew better, and stiff penalties for that behavior might have prevented this public foolery.
heh, heh, heh...you said "stiff penalties"...heh, heh, heh

[Blue Collar Christian]

I know, huh.