September 1987 ■ Q-Notes PAGE 5
Kina Forms Group For Arrested Men
Don King, editor oi Q-Notes, has formed a sup
port/information task force for gay men who hove
been arrested at porks and bookstores on charges of
asscmlt or and solicitation for crime against nature.
"I contend that the police are deliberately arresting
not only people who break the low, but also people
who have committed no crime but are too scared to
pursue their case," he said. "We must stop that.
“First, we need information from people who hove
been arrested — enough information to intelligently
advise defendants about their best course of action.
And we've got to find the best lawyers.
"Second, we've got to get information from post
cases so we can establish patterns, especially patterns
in which the arresting officer probably knew the cose
would be thrown out if carried to district court.
"Third, we'd like to act as a support group for
persons arrested. They should know they can turn to
others and that it's not the end of their lives.
"And, fourth, we'd like to find a case in the future
that's suitable for a lawsuit — both a personal lawsuit
and a class action suit — against the arresting officer,
the vice squad and its commanding officer, the police
department and Chief Killmon, and the city council
and city administration.
"We can't do it unless we start communicating with
each other. Consumers groups ore always popping up
for one thing or another. This time, it's a consumers
Qfroup of men arrested for these charges.
"We've found that the police and courts fail to tell
arrested men everything they should know. For in
stance, when you're considered for pre-trial release,
do they tell you that a friend or relative rather than on
employer con certify that you are employed? Do they
sometimes call on employer just to embarrass you?
"What's the best thing to do if you feel you're
innocent? Do they tell you that your arrest record con
be wiped away if you're found not guilty or if your
case is dismissed?
"And what about arrests? What if you're charged
with indecent exposure? Do people know you can't
legally be charged with that unless a person of the
opposite sex is present? And does just asking someone
to go home with you constitute solicitation? Legally no,
but vice officers will moke the charge anyway.
"I wont anyone who has been through this to coll
me," King said, giving his home phone number, 332-
3834. "I'm not easy to get hold of, but I encourage
anyone to keep trying.
"I'm told that being arrested and put through all this
is devastating. We con offer support to each other. We
con advise about what to do and start developing
plans to put a stop to this.
"If we con establish that a particular officer or the
vice squad in general is making arrests that couldn't
possibly stand up in court, we hove the basis for legal
proceedings against the city, the police force and
certain officers for false arrest and whatever else
applies. That may be the only way to stop this."
O L
A Charlotte Landmark For 17 Years
4
1831 South Blvd.
373-9604
SUNDAYS
It’s Brittany’s “Bargain Basement
Review” throughout the month with
$1.50 drinks specials
and $1 schnapps.
TALENT NIGHT
Sunday, Sept. 13, with $50
to the winner.
WEDNESDAYS
We’re talking $1.50 drink speciais and
$1 schnapps. All night long!
THURSDAYS
Eat your hearts out, guys. This is
Ladies Night, meaning they get in
FREE. But everyone gets ail the draft
they want for a measly $4.
%
Hat Pull Of Tricks
All Month Long!
SEPT. 4 & 5
Martina Desiree and Jamie Lee
SEPT. 11 & 12
Dance Tracks Reunion
SEPT. 18 & 19
Stephanie Wells and Stephanie O’Bryan
SEPT. 25
Sasha Tate, Shea Lateece,
SammI Kay Daniels And Brittany Gwen
SEPT. 26
Sasha, Shea, SammI Kay, Brittany,
Kasey King and Gypsy Starr