You know what?

[kierthos]

I want to see someone claim that they can't serve on a jury because they're gay.

I mean, fuck it, if being gay keeps you out of the military.....

Comments

[copper-fingers.livejournal.com]

if they were prosecuting a guy for a gay hate crime i suppose that would mean they could get out of it though?

[kierthos.livejournal.com]

No, no, you're missing the point.

If you're openly gay, you can't serve in the U.S. military, no matter how much you may want to, or how qualified you are. And outside of certain areas, it's practically impossible to be openly gay and hold any sort of major political office, or hold certain jobs (such as teaching or many medical positions), and you can't legally get married except in Massachusetts or California.

So, fuck it, if the country is so determined to take away rights of people just because they're gay, why not remove some of the responsibilities as well?

Juror: "Your Honor, I cannot serve on this jury because I am gay."
Judge: "This crime has nothing to do with the gay community."
Juror: "I realize this. But if being gay is sufficient reason to keep me out of the military, bar me from wedding the person I love, and effectively keep me from political office, then I feel it should keep me from serving as a juror. After all, obviously, my judgement cannot be trusted enough in a combat situation, a personal relationship, or in the government. Therefore, I must respectfully decline to participate in these legal proceedings."

[neosplinter.livejournal.com]

I think this'd be an effective way to make a stand for gay rights, particularly if it got a bunch of media coverage.

[kierthos.livejournal.com]

One of my regular night-time customers here at copy hell thought it was one helluva idea, and he's going to use it if he ever gets called for jury duty again.