Gay couple: Secaucus violated our rights

[canis_lupus]

On the morning of April 25, 2004, a gay couple living in Secaucus was awakened by the sound of raucous partying at the firehouse next door.

After one of the men, Timothy Carter, approached a group of firefighters about 1 a.m. asking them to keep it down, they allegedly began berating him. When he returned to the house, what the couple described as a drunken mob shook their fence, banged on the side of the house and loudly threatened to kill the men and their dogs.

Despite complaints to the town, Carter and his partner, Peter De Vries, allege little was done to discipline the firefighters and said they lived in constant fear before moving away.

Yesterday, in the more decorous setting of a courtroom in Jersey City, lawyers opened a civil case by the couple against the town.

Neither of the men was injured in the 12-minute attack, but each suffered some degree of post traumatic stress disorder, according to their attorney, Neil Mullin of Montclair. They argue their civil rights were violated and are seeking unspecified damages.
http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1210228072141470.xml&coll=3

[TooBigaTent]

1. Why does it seem that the police and firefighter occupations draw such a high

percentage of prejudiced individuals?

Is it the uniform and power (actual and perceived) conveyed by the job?

[GodlessBiker]

2. Yep. I think that's it. "You will respect my authoritay..."

[canis_lupus]

3. Plus both occupations have a tradition of 'machismo'

Any group that is so hung up on its own masculinity general takes a negative view of homosexuality since it sees gay men as feminine. In general (and thank goodness for the exceptions) there's a very clear connection between homophobia and sexism in macho groups.

[mitchtv]

5. ALSO a tradition of alcohoism

domestic abuse and bullying
Isn't Secaucus the place near the Pulaski Skyway that smells so bad? or has that been cleaned up?

[LostinVA]

6. No -- it still smells bad

It just smells like industrial waste, instead of pig farms, now.

[LostinVA]

4. I shall add this to the list of reasons why Secaucus sucks

My wife says the only useful purpose Secaucus has is to serve as a Mafia dumping ground for bodies. Well, aside from the fact that she was born there.

[Rhythm]

7. and the river smells like Fancy Feast.

I noticed that the last time i was there for a convention... ewwww.......