05/08/2008
NJ Gay Couple Files Suit Against Town Over Firefighter Harassment
A gay couple formerly from Secaucus, New Jersey has filed a civil suit against the town, claiming that they were harassed by a group of firefighters who were partying at the firehouse adjacent to their residence. The incident occurred in April 2004.
"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...
... In opening statements yesterday before a Superior Court jury, Mullin said the firefighters shouted derogatory, anti-homosexual epithets and death threats. 'They're terrified,' Mullin said of the couple. 'They're paralyzed with fear.' Police arrived quickly but the hate crime was never fully investigated by Secaucus officials, according to court papers filed by the couple. But police made no arrests and no one from the firehouse was thrown off the volunteer force. In their defense, town officials noted the prompt response by police and the fact that the firefighters were officially off-duty at the time."
At the time, a hate crime probe was opened and then cancelled due to lack of evidence. The couple claims post-traumatic stress disorder and is seeking unspecified damages.
Gay couple: Secaucus violated our rights [jersey journal]
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 9:15 AM EST by Andy in Firefighters, New Jersey, News | Permalink
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"In their defense, town officials noted the prompt response by police and the fact that the firefighters were officially off-duty at the time."
So in their defense, they were quick to show up and do nothing and the firefighters weren't 'on duty' when they were harassing these men and threatening their lives?
Is that supposed to make things better?
I don't know about post traumatic stress disorder, but if it went down like this couple says it did (which is not terribly hard for me to believe), I'm glad they are pursuing legal action.
Posted by: Wes | May 8, 2008 9:30:34 AM
Please. "post traumatic stress"?
That statement alone lost them any sympathy.
Sounds like they deserve to get beat up.
Posted by: mwf | May 8, 2008 11:49:01 AM
Secaucus is my hometown. This is sad, but I read about it many years ago.
Posted by: Jan | May 8, 2008 1:54:44 PM
This make me think that owning a hand-held video camera would be a good investment...
Posted by: Mark | May 8, 2008 2:41:22 PM
Like bank robbers, lawyers go to where the money is. If we all had a million dollars for every time our feelings were hurt, we'd all have spent that million on settling with those whose feelings we hurt, so these guys need to grow some hair on their chests and stop trying to cry all the way to the bank.
Posted by: anon | May 8, 2008 7:11:34 PM
a bunch of rowdy, drunken firemen ?! where do i sign up ?!!
Posted by: el polacko | May 8, 2008 7:24:55 PM
Please: a straight couple would have gotten just about the same treatment from these guys -- if the man of the house were as brave (or stupid) as Carter. These are firemen we're talking about. They are roughnecks who spend most of their working hours saving lives and property. Carter & DeVries either should have put on earplugs or spent the night in a motel. To paraphrase Brando (via Williams) 'Whatta pair of queens."
Posted by: matt | May 8, 2008 8:14:07 PM