18 Men arrested in Sex sting in Manhattan Beach

[Kulindahr]

I think you have to take a step back and look at the larger picture. Gay people are still far from being equal members in our society. No matter how far you think you've come, just try holding hands in a mall or giving a quick kiss goodbye to your partner in public.

Historically it has been difficult to find and connect with other gay people since we are all presumed straight and we for the most part maintain that charade. This is where cruising for public sex originated, that being a relatively reliable activity for hooking up with gay men and avoiding being bashed by straight guys.

Old habits die hard, even in the days of craigslist.

I see public sex as an outgrowth of our repression and as such, I think that they police need to handle it a little more carefully. Publishing pictures of the offenders is just a symptom of the police department's homophobia and should be condemned. I would like to see a big backlash from the gay community over this but I doubt it will happen because we all continue to be wrapped up in our own shame .

I'd say a $10k fine per picture per officer involved in getting them posted would be about right. Give the money to the outfit working to defend the rights of people abused by repressive laws.

 

[Kulindahr]

There are times that the police overstep their boundaries. But there is no evidence that happened here.
. . .
But I do agree that there was no need to publish their names and photos. That did not accomplish anything.

See the contradiction here?

They've been convicted in the public eye without even a court appearance.

 

[palbert]

See the contradiction here?

They've been convicted in the public eye without even a court appearance.

I see the contradiction.

Guess what? they're guilty. Pictures in a newspaper has damn little to do with it.

I defended enough of these guys - some dear friends - while practicing law. They'll be lucky if they thought to get arresred under an assumed or slightly altered name, deny emoloyment, and slither thru the system.

Kuli, do not let righteousness get in the way of common sense and reality. Some circumstances, and people for those circumstances, are indefensible.

 

[rareboy]

I'm not.

There are more conservatives, or conservative-leaning people here than you think.

Me, Jack Springer, Jackoroe, PrivateTimm, Benvolio, JayHawk, Jerry, etc.

It would seem that you don't have to book a very large table for your third thursday of the month get togethers.

You forgot Chance though.

You'll hurt his feelings.

But at least you've acknowledged that publishing the names and photos of the accused is inexcusable.

 

[justaguy]

I think you have to take a step back and look at the larger picture. Gay people are still far from being equal members in our society. No matter how far you think you've come, just try holding hands in a mall or giving a quick kiss goodbye to your partner in public.

Historically it has been difficult to find and connect with other gay people since we are all presumed straight and we for the most part maintain that charade. This is where cruising for public sex originated, that being a relatively reliable activity for hooking up with gay men and avoiding being bashed by straight guys.

Old habits die hard, even in the days of craigslist.

I see public sex as an outgrowth of our repression and as such, I think that they police need to handle it a little more carefully. Publishing pictures of the offenders is just a symptom of the police department's homophobia and should be condemned. I would like to see a big backlash from the gay community over this but I doubt it will happen because we all continue to be wrapped up in our own shame .

Wise words Rick mate.

 

[justaguy]

But I do agree that there was no need to publish their names and photos. That did not accomplish anything.

I think that is the thing that most posters here have had the biggest issue with.

 

[eddielee]

Some guys get a thrill from public sex. The danger of getting caught excites them. Of course, they never think about what happens if they do get caught. It may be exciting, but the risk of catching a disease, or meeting a penis chopping psychopath puts me off. When you stick your cock in a glory hole, you don't always know what kind of person you're dealing with!

 

[Kulindahr]

Some guys get a thrill from public sex. The danger of getting caught excites them. Of course, they never think about what happens if they do get caught. It may be exciting, but the risk of catching a disease, or meeting a penis chopping psychopath puts me off. When you stick your cock in a glory hole, you don't always know what kind of person you're dealing with!

And in some states, if the guy finds your cock threatening, he could shoot it.

 

[diamondstar]

I am developing a thought that the police are actually AFRAID of REAL criminals...

So they waste their time ruining regular peoples lives...

I mean -- don't they have anything BETTER to do in LA???

Why go after the gangbangers, the mafia, rapist, and serial killers when their are gay people you can arrest. I mean they have their families they want to go home to.

 

[curiousguyUNT]

If you want to hook up with someone, there are ways to do it that are legal and don't infringe on the public's right of access to use a public restroom for its intended purpose.

You can do it in your own home. You can rent a motel or hotel room. You can go to a "spa" (bathhouse). You can do it inside your car (with the windows up, and in a secluded place away from others).

Uh, last time I checked being in a car (unless it is in your closed garage) is counted as public. Even if no one can see you, I promise you that if a cop walked up and heard what was happening or suspected it you would be in as much trouble as doing it openly in a park. Besides what is the difference between using a car in a secluded place and using a low traffic, little used restroom, especially if you stayed in a stall where no one would know what was happening?

 

[Kulindahr]

Uh, last time I checked being in a car (unless it is in your closed garage) is counted as public. Even if no one can see you, I promise you that if a cop walked up and heard what was happening or suspected it you would be in as much trouble as doing it openly in a park. Besides what is the difference between using a car in a secluded place and using a low traffic, little used restroom, especially if you stayed in a stall where no one would know what was happening?

Yes. If it can be viewed from outside, any activity undertaken in a vehicle is considered public -- so says the Supreme Court.

 

[Kulindahr]

You know, it could have been worse -- the cops could have handed out hoodies and sent Zimmerman in.

 

[Taralen]

How the hell can you relate horny idiots cruising at a beach bathroom, to a controversial case about an teenage boy being shot. Can you people be any more ignorant?

 

[rareboy]

Uh, last time I checked being in a car (unless it is in your closed garage) is counted as public. Even if no one can see you, I promise you that if a cop walked up and heard what was happening or suspected it you would be in as much trouble as doing it openly in a park. Besides what is the difference between using a car in a secluded place and using a low traffic, little used restroom, especially if you stayed in a stall where no one would know what was happening?

This was all so that the OP could rationalize that blowing some married guy in his car is somehow okay, but using a toilet is shameful.

Glass Houses.

 

[Riverrick]

I think that is the thing that most posters here have had the biggest issue with.

That's what I have the biggest issue with. In the article, the newspaper also went to the trouble of googling their names and finding out their occupations. And then printing that as well.

I also have an issue with the police commiting so much time and resources to stake out the restroom, send in undercover officers, and wait until they could catch a bonanza of gay men. A simpler, less costly solution would have been to post signs, remove the stall doors, and patrol the restroom regularly so that it fell out of favor.

It all smells of bias to me and I guess I'm just getting tired of us being punished for being gay men in a straight society.

 

[fluxflux]

 

[RRUGER]

why do GAY MEN ACT LIKE THIS

this is a SHAME

 

[RRUGER]

i dont care what you people think.


Its a crime, people shouldnt be having sex in PUBLIC RESTROOMS.

A crime is a crime

 

[pat grimshaw]

why do GAY MEN ACT LIKE THIS…:

It's because they're ANIMALS!

 

[Kulindahr]

why do GAY MEN ACT LIKE THIS

this is a SHAME

Because of a screwed-up oppressive bigoted society.