Following its decision in Lawrence v. Texas, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the Kansas Court of Appeals to reconsider the conviction of gay teen-ager Matthew Limon. (Previous XGW coverage. Focus on the Family defended the sentencing.)
In a ruling published today, the Kansas Court of Appeals upholds the state’s discriminatory sentencing of gay teen-agers and dictates that the young man will remain in prison until he is 35.
Addendum: From an AP article in the Dodge City Daily Globe:
Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline, who defended the 17-year prison sentence for Matthew Limon, now says the state’s “Romeo and Juliet” law is too lenient. The law virtually eliminates the prison sentence for underage sex if both partners are close of age and heterosexual.
But Kline maintains that gay teen-agers should still be punished as harshly as Limon, and more harshly than heterosexual teens.
Tragic, heartbreaking. Another witch burning to lay at the feet of the Christian churches.
Is there any way to send this young man some encouraging cards and letters, at least? (I’d like to help plan a prison breakout, really.)
And is there any way that this can be appealed? This is horrible.
Another thing:
In an FOTF tract entitled “When A Loved One Says, ‘I’m Gay’, Bob Davies says that parents should pray that their gay kids “experience the consequences of their sins.” Is this really what they mean? Do they actually want the children of their constituents who “act out” *jailed until their mid-thirties*?
And why don’t rapists get this kind of sentencing?!
I read this case with horror and absolute shock. It is so surreal and disgusting to think that such sick homophobic laws could be upheld in the U.S. Obviously if such a case went to the supreme court the high court would not only overturn the sentencing but would probably support Limon in a major counter suit for abuse and wrongful imprisonment. Obviously what he did deserved some punishment but not an unjust punishment and not a punishment that is based in bigotry. I hope the ACLU gets on this one!!
Also the Snake Mr. James Dobson reminds me more and more of the sick and twisted Fred Phelps it’s not even funny. James Dobson is a modern Chiaphas (leader of the Pharisees) who has little regard for the love that Christ taught and practiced toward all people. This nation needs to be made aware of the dangerous tactics of James Dobson and his organization called “Focus On the Family”. When I view Mr. Dobson I cannot help but see a white sheet over his head with two holes for his eyes to peer through. He is like the Grand Dragon of the KKK.
Fortunately, Phill Kline and his henchmen were put in their place by the KS Supreme Court last week and Matthew will be getting out soon. I hope Matthew sues the state’s eyeballs out for the four extra years he spent in prison for being gay.