The pastor who officiated at a “Mr. Hetero” contest in Worcester, Mass., which featured the testimony of an ex-gay and several silly contests, has sued the city. He was billed for the extra cost of having police presence at the event.
The Rev. Thomas J. Crouse, in a suit filed yesterday in U.S. District Court in Springfield, asks for injunctions and damages against the city, citing unconstitutional policies and actions.
It is not clear whether Crouse knew of the requirement and agreed to it in advance only later to renege or whether he was surprised after the fact.
In the suit, Crouse said that city officials told him that he would be responsible for the cost of city police officers at the event, about $6,000. He said charging him violates his constitutional right to free speech.
Maybe Crouse is unaware that the gay community often pays for security at gay pride events. For example CSW, the Los Angeles Pride event, spent over $136,000 in law enforcement, security, and medical for the 1994 pride parade and festival – and they have far fewer protestors than did Crouse’s event. Or, perhaps, Crouse thinks there should be a separate standard for gay pride and hetero pride events.
It may also be that Crouse is simply trying to get attention. But if it comes out that Crouse was told of the cost in advance and that the City of Worcester has charged gay groups for similar events, Crouse may find that this is attention that he does not want.
ADDENDUM
Per reporting by supporters of Crouse, the pastor had to pay the costs in advance. His supporters also seem to object to procedures used by the police to ensure the safety and security of attendees of the event. (thanks grantdale)
He knew beforehand.As reported by those from the twilight zone…
I attended the Mr. Hetero event, and this latest move by Tom Crouse sounds very much like the entitlement and the aggrieved tone that pervaded much of the event.
Although they speak about the Bible and their desire to follow its principles, throughout the event Tom Crouse and others sounded the cry of a cultural war where they fear they’re losing precious territory to interlopers. With a battle cry bemoaning the mis-use of the rainbow by queer folks (and I guess anyone else who uses it wrongly) they proclaimed, We’re Taking it Back!
From stirring up fears about “traditional” values denied them (Christ in Christmas, God in the pledge of allegiance) to concerns about the formerly powerless gaining far too much power (symbolically tearing up a single issue of Oprah’s O magazine), Tom Crouse revealed his hand.
The event did not “celebrate heterosexuality” but instead sought to portray conservative white straight men in a cosmic struggle to hold onto power and privileged they feel has been ordained by God.
Hi Peterson — forgot you were there. (I guess you’re still having weird dreams about being frisked by massed policemen. I won’t even mention what happens when you hear someone use a whistle!)I do remember, now, how you described this as being anti-gay (and so much else) rather “celebrating heterosexuality”. Thanks heavens we don’t have White Heterosexual Male Pride Marches — that much venom being chanted in the streets could set off a riot.But it’s an interesting dynamic from those like Crouse. There’s little talk about who they are, and a great deal about who they are not. I’m sure there’s a term for that type of insecure counter-identity in males…(And according to Dad, reliably known as a white heterosexual male, their 17-year patent on the rainbow expired many years ago. That would be 6000 less 17 years ago, according to Crouse? So, anyone can freely use it.)
Charging people for police protection in events like this seems to be a restriction on Freedom of Speech.
This is not something we should welcome.
Puddy Katz,
It depends on whether they discriminate in their charging. As long as they treat all groups the same, there’s no infringement on free speech.
Looks like it didn’t take long for Tom Crouse to parlay his “Mr. Hetero” controversy into a paying speaking gig.
From this press release:
https://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=62080
WASHINGTON, March 9 /U.S. Newswire/ — The War On Christians And The Values Voter in 2006 Conference (March 27-28 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.)……
— Pastor Tom Crouse: Was charged $6,200 for extra police protection at a private meeting in Worcester, Mass. on coming out of the gay life-style. Both the mayor and city human rights commission condemned the event. The costs were assessed to stifle Pastor Crouse’s First Amendment rights.