Normally a woman entering a federal building to pick up a social security card for her son wouldn't end up in controversy. Unfortunately for Lapriss Gilbert, she was in the wrong place at the wrong time, wearing the wrong t-shirt. When she arrived at the government complex sporting a t-shirt with the words “lesbian.com” on the front, a private security officer hired by the Homeland Security Department stopped her and demanded she leave the premises.
The guard, an employee of Paragon Security, cited The Rules and Regulations Governing Conduct on Federal Property to support his claim that he is able to decide which articles of clothing are acceptable and which are not. Unfortunately, the document does not offer such guidance.
According to a witness, the hired guard’s “loud, unreasonable, aggressive and angry approach to the situation almost caused chaos.” Gilbert says of the incident, "As an African-American and a lesbian, I haven't been through one day without facing some sort of discrimination . . . but this is just shocking." The ACLU is looking into the case they call the most blatant discrimination they've seen in a federal office building.
Halston
Tomster
Tibi
Wow once you start to think things are getting a little better, you're shocked back into remembering there's still hate out there. If there's no law backing up the removal of this women because of her clothing, well something better be done to that guard...
1Now off to sleep!
Unless I'm missing something here (and I read the original article), this is bizarre.
2Wow, that's just... I'm speechless. Someone's really been on a power trip there, huh?!
3I can't believe that. How completely ridiculous. I hope that man is fired.
4i know that there have historically been instances where people wearing shirts w/ propaganda have been asked to leave, but this really doesn't seem to me like it's remotely the same thing. shes' wearing a shirt that has a non-threatening website on it - and that's all. i wonder what the ACLU is going to do about this - and i'm sure that we'll hear more about it.
5That is completely ridiculous and really upsetting.
6That is ridiculous! For a lesbian.com shirt? I hope he gives this woman a public apology and faces some sort of disciplinary action. He should probably be fired.
7If he's so easily offended, he's definitely in the wrong job.
8Wow, WTF? Her shirt wasn't graphic or anything!
9And to approach her in a “loud, unreasonable, aggressive" way....WAY out of line!
I'd like to get the whole story. We are only getting her half. I agree that this might have been a little extreme, if the only reason was because of the shirt. I have a distinctive feeling that some key pieces of information are being left out of this story.
10According to the post, the whole “loud, unreasonable, aggressive" bit came from a witness.
11...but you are right. There could be more to the story!
12I read the linked article, which doesn't give too much more information but I did find this a bit interesting:
Lori Haley, a federal spokeswoman for the office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement - which is under the Homeland Security umbrella - said the guard was out of line.
"We believe that the actions of the contract security guard were inappropriate and unacceptable - we have notified his company, Paragon, of our position in the matter," Haley said.
I am more inclined to think that if the government spokesman is already issuing a statement affirming that the guard was out of line, there is probably something to her accusations. Sounds like this guy was on some sort of power trip, or just has a major bias against lesbians....
13"According to Paragon, "Action will be taken against the guard. We do not condone this type of behavior.'"
I just checked all the local news sites, not blogs or gay & lesbian sites, and I think the only 'more to it' aspect might be that the guard started getting into it with witnesses too, and let the situation get out of control.
14I've been sitting here with coffee in hand trying to allow my mind to wrap some semblance of reason around this mans ignorance for several minutes. I think my brain is upset with me for having attempted to try.
There is no doubt in my mind that there is going to be a settlement out of this and rightly so. Having read this article it has inspired the idea that all government employees and contractors should sign a contract saying that they support antidiscrimination laws.
15A few years ago there was a big to do at Safeco Field over allowing fans in who were wearing tshirts that said F*** the Yankees and whether making them remove the shirt was a violation of free speech. Lesbian isn't a bad word the last time I checked. And even to the most extreme homophobe it surely can't be on par with the F Word...right?
16I don't understand what being a lesbian has to do with Homeland Security
17Are lesbians included in the list of known terrorist organizations?
18I wish they would tell woman that dress like street hookers that they are not allowed in .
19Well, Hothead Paisan is, bluesarahlou.
20I was thinking of lesbians as a whole, but....good to know Bella!
21Rediculous....what an a**hole
22What a jackass!
23I was going to say A$$donkey Jude C
But yeah that is ridiculous and completely uncalled for!
24He IS an A$$DONKEY, you're right!
25I hope she gave him a good tongue lashing too. Honestly this man must see life through a tube, it's sad.
26Sad. And this was posted on my birthday. :[
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