[GN] News: Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.)
Estrada, Gilbert
The following is another installment in the on-going Mike Longman case.
The second article is a recent Times-Picayune article of interest. The
third article, lengthy but worthwhile, appeared in the paper a few weeks
ago.
Gilbert
P.S. Any spelling mistakes are my typing mistakes.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
(Reprinted without permission, Times-Picayune, February 10, 2000 [pg. B-1])
2nd teen accuses newscaster in sex case
------
Boy is one of about 50 on videotapes, cops say
-----
By Natalie Pompillo and Walt Philbin (Staff writers)
A second teen-age boy has come forward, saying local TV journalist Mike
Longman gave him cash and cocaine in exchange for sexual favors documented
on videotapes now in police custody, officials said Wednesday.
Police said the development probably will lead to additional charges
against Longman, 43, whose alleged encounters with a first accuser were not
captured on videotapes seized in Longman's Uptown apartment at the time of
his arrest Jan. 21.
The second boy, a 16-year-old, told police he had been videotaped having
sex and sharing cocaine with Longman at least once in the course of their
relationship, which lasted from October 1998 to September 1999. The boy
said he was 15 when Longman pulled his car up alongside him on a French
Quarter street and "requested his company," according to an application for
a warrant for a second search of Longman's home in the 400 block of First
Street. The age of consent in Louisiana is 17.
Lt. David Benelli, commander of the New Orleans Police Department's Sex
Crimes Unit, confirmed that the boy is one of an estimated 50 teen-agers on
22 videotapes taken from Longman's home after the initial search last
month. More than 22 hours of footage show Longman having oral and anal sex
with the young men and sharing cocaine with some of them, police said.
Longman, 43 surrendered to authorities Jan. 21 after a 15-year-old boy told
a therapist that he had had consensual sex with the newscaster. As
required by law, the boy's statement was reported to police.
A subsequent search of Longman's home revealed the videotapes and drug
paraphernalia, including a pipe, police said. Longman was booked with
crime against nature, carnal knowledge of a juvenile, contributing to the
delinquency of a juvenile, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession
of cocaine residue.
In a press conference after the arrest, Longman said he had "never
knowingly harmed or hurt anyone." He admitted to an alcohol problem and is
undergoing treatment at a Minnesota hospital. He is tentatively scheduled
for release Feb. 23, his attorney, Arthur "Buddy" Lemann III, said
Wednesday.
Lemann said he will ask authorities to let Longman finish his treatment
program before booking him with the latest charges. He said he thinks
Longman will be released again on his own recognizance.
"The fact that he is high-profile is a complicating factor. The fact that
it's gay sex is a complicating factor. Because in this macho world of
ours, I have a feeling if it was a 16-year-old female involved instead of a
male prostitute, it may have gotten different treatment by the police,"
Lemann said.
Benelli said the second boy's father originally contacted police Jan. 27
and said he believe his son may have been involved with Longman. In a
subsequent interview, the boy admitted meeting Longman during the 1998
Southern Decadence celebration and receiving $120 after their first sexual
encounter. The boy told police he continued to have sex with Longman for
cocaine and cash until September 1999, when he went into a diabetic coma
believed to be related to drug use.
= = = = = =
Reprinted without permission, Times-Picayune, February 2, 2000 (pg. B-3)
Hate-crimes crisis center opens
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Program offers shelter, counseling and hotline
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By Joan Treadway (Staff writer)
Over the years, some people have been reluctant to report that they are
victims of a hate crime, New Orleans Mayor Marc [Morial] said Tuesday as he
unveiled a program he hopes will reverse that trend.
He also hopes the program, the Hate Crimes Crisis Intervention Project,
will help reduce the number of times someone is harassed or harmed because
of their race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin
or disability.
"Survival in this new millennium calls for people to move toward a greater
tolerance and understanding of one another regardless of race religion,
gender or sexual orientation," Morial said.
The program[,] financed with a $70,000 state grant from the Louisiana
Council on Law Enforcement, offers victims a 24-hour crisis assistance line
and a shelter for counseling and support in navigating the criminal justice
system. The hotline is 944-HEAL, and the shelter is run out of the Lesbian
and Gay Center at 2114 Decatur St.
The center agreed to operate the program, which is the product of a joint
effort by the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice and an advisory committee.
Morial said he hopes the state will continue to finance the project.
At a news conference, Morial said the center is designed for those who are
the victims of physical as well as emotional violence. And the harm can
cut many ways, he said, with black people harassing white people or the
reverse and the city's significant Asian population thrown into the mix as
well, either as victims or offenders.
Even though the country is in a period of peace and prosperity, racial
oppression and gender subjugation still mar the picture, said Alan Colon, a
professor of African studies at Dillard University who was representing
Community Labor United, a coalition of local organizations.
Bridget Bane, Morial's coordinator of criminal justice, said only two
reports of hate crimes were made in all of Louisiana last year -- evidence,
she said, that such crimes are generally underreported.
Rosanna Cruz, manager of the new hate crimes project, said reports made to
the center would be kept confidential. She also said reluctant victims
will not be forced to contact authorities to report the crime.
The center's hours are Monday through Wednesday, 1 to 8 p.m.; Thursday and
Friday, noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 3 to 5 p.m.; and
Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.
The project will be run by a paid staff consisting of Cruz and a
volunteers' coordinator. Additionally, 30 people have volunteered to
answer the hotline and offer counseling, Cruz said.
The volunteers have had 11 hours of training, which the Orleans Parish
District Attorney's office helps provide, and they will get at least 30
more hours of training, she said.
Among the volunteers are students and nurses, Cruz said.
==========
(Reprinted without permission, Times-Picayune [New Orleans, La.], January
31, 2000 -- D-1; D-4)
Straight talk about gay teens
- - - - - -
Gay and lesbian high school students face loneliness, depression and
harassment at school.
So a new alliance of students and teachers is seeking to build safe havens
and teach tolerance.
- - - - -
By Barri Bronston (Staff writer)
Jarrett Morris wrote his share of essays, research papers and stories as a
student at Eleanor McMain Magnet Secondary School. But the most meaningful
piece of prose in his mind came in the form of a letter he wrote to
Principal Donalyn Hassenboehler just after graduating last May.
Morris, 18 wrote to implore Hassenboehler to do something about the
school's "hostile" treatment of gay and lesbian students -- the
name-calling, the insults and the reluctance of some teachers to take
action.
"My biggest problem was, and still is, the way the word 'gay' is used,"
wrote Morris, who has been openly gay since he was a sophomore.
"It hurts me more to hear the phrase 'that is so gay' than it does to be
called a fag to my face," he told Hassenboehler. "that is the phrase that
has become the prevailing expression of homophobia in McMain. I've heard
it used in classes and seen the teacher do nothing about it."
The letter went on to suggest sensitivity training for the faculty along
with the formation of a Gay-Straight Alliance, a national school-based club
with more than 700 chapters across the country, including one at Benjamin
Franklin Senior High School.
"The problem is there. It is serious. It needs to be addressed," the
letter concluded. "I am trusting in you to do what's right to help the gay
youth in your school."
While Morris' letter is directed at McMain, local gay-rights activists say
the school is far from alone in its attitude toward homosexual students --
and teachers. Just last week, Marco Meneghini, a gay foreign language
teacher at McMain, said he received an anti-gay message in his mailbox, and
he has heard of similar treatment of homosexual students and teachers at
schools across the New Orleans area.
in addition, he said, many heterosexual students are harassed for having
gay siblings, parents or friends.
It is for that reason the Meneghini has helped organize the area's first
chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Educational Network (GLSEN), a
group whose primary goal is to eliminate gay-bashing in schools and to
assure that all students and teachers are treated with respect, regardless
of their sexual orientation.
"A lot of gay kids are coming out earlier, and they feel threatened and
unsafe at school," Meneghini said. "There are kids who use anti-gay slurs
without even realizing what they're saying, and many teachers ignore it.
That's just unacceptable."
Neither McMain's principal nor Orleans Parish school officials would
comment, except to refer to the school system's policy on sexual
harassment, which prohibits unwelcome abuse of a sexual nature and spells
out the steps for reporting and presenting a complaint but does not
specifically refer to homosexuality.
In a national survey of 500 gay students by the New York-based GLSEN, more
than 90 percent said they regularly heard homophobic remarks at school,
mostly from other student but sometimes from faculty or school staff. More
than two-thirds said they had experienced some form of harassment or
violence, with half saying they were verbally abused on a daily basis.
"I've never heard a teacher make a comment," said Morris, a freshman at the
University of New Orleans. "But I've witnessed teachers not reacting when
students made comments. Once, it was a popular teacher, and I knew I'd
face repercussions from students if I said anything."
The GLSEN group, which is composed of gay and straight teachers, students,
parents and other individuals, aims to reverse such attitudes by offering
sensitivity training to school personnel and encouraging the formation of
Gay-Straight Alliances, in-school support groups open to homosexual and
heterosexual students.
As part of the sensitivity training, the group is seeking widespread
distribution of "Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation and Youth: A
Primer for Principals, Educators & School Personnel." The 12-page booklet
was sent to the nation's more than 14,000 public school superintendents
last December.
The booklet explains sexual orientation development, the dangers of
reparative therapy or religious-based ministries as a means of overcoming
homosexuality and the legal liabilities that school districts face by
failing to protect students form anti-gay harassment.
The booklet is a joint effort of nearly a dozen groups, including the
American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Counseling Association, the
National Education Association and the American Association of School
Administrators. A similar packet of information has also been sent to the
nation's independent schools.
But the materials have come under fire from the religious right as well as
high-profile radio talk show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger. The contend that
the booklet is more of an effort to advocate homosexuality than to protect
the safety of gay and lesbian teens.
Courtney Nathan, a social worker with Jewish Family Service, believes
otherwise. Nathan says many teachers have simply never been taught how to
respond to homophobia, and thus choose to ignore it rather than stand
against it.
"Even if they're not actively participating in it, they're not stopping it,
or they don't know how to stop it," said Nathan, whose clients include many
gay and lesbian teens. "Our goal is to get rid of the bigotry, to get
people at all of the schools to be more open to talking about homosexuality
and to create a network of safe people that gay teens can feel comfortable
talking to."
One of the agency's ideas is to encourage teachers to post stickers on
their classroom doors indicating that they are available to students who
are having a problem or who simply need to talk.
For students who are not out of the closet -- and even for those who are --
such communication can have tremendous benefits, Nathan said. Citing
studies that show gay teens are more likely to commit or attempt suicide
than others, she suggested that those with more peer, parental and school
support would be less vulnerable.
"They need someone whom they can go to to talk to about these things,
especially if the parents are not supportive," she said. "We'd also like
to see more straight students stand up and say, 'It's not OK to pick on
these kids.'"
Nathan credited Benjamin Franklin High School and Principal Thomas Tews for
seeing the need for action. Tews and the local GLSEN chapter believe the
900-student school is the only one in the New Orleans area with a
Gay-Straight Alliance, and most teachers have put rainbow stickers on their
doors as an invitation to students who want to talk.
"We started out with seven or eight teachers putting the stickers on their
doors, and now they're on the doors of almost every teacher," said the
alliance's president, a gay senior who asked that he not be identified.
Indeed, all of the high school students, straight or gay, interviewed for
this story declined to be named, testament to the enduring stigma still
attached to homosexuals, and even heterosexuals who would stand with them.
"The group was formed to promote inclusiveness," said club sponsor Victoria
Pellecchia, a geometry teacher. "There are some kids who are out to their
parents and everyone else and doing well with it. But I knew there were
kids in my class who were gay and hurting."
The club has been on the Franklin Campus for nearly three years and meets
once or twice a month during lunch to discuss everything from problems
students may be having at home to anti-gay comments they may have heard in
the halls. Discussions are not sexually oriented and are kept
confidential. Members are not asked their sexual orientation.
"We've had some instances of certain slurs that have been said and name
calling, and we provide a safe environment for people to talk about these
issues and to discuss ways of getting people to be more sensitive," said
one of the group's straight members, who also did not want to be identified.
"Everyone at Franklin seems to be in support of letting people be different
in their own way," she said, "and even those who are not in agreement with
the group, pretty much leave us along."
Tews and Pellecchia said abuse against homosexual students has greatly
diminished since the group was formed, although there are still occasional
incidents. While the Gay-Straight Alliance at Franklin has enjoyed a
peaceful existence, such as not been the case in a handful of other
districts.
Last month, the Orange (Calif.) United School Board voted to reject a
Gay-Straight Alliance Club at a local high school, and the club's gay
student organizer sued in federal court, saying the move violates members'
civil rights. In Salt Lake City, the school board banned all
extracurricular clubs in 1996 rather than allow a gay-straight group.
But those are isolated incidents, say Jim Anderson, national spokesman for
GLSEN, who says the overwhelming majority of gay-straight clubs are
existing without controversy. "They are flourishing in their school
communities and students don't have to fight for their right to form these
clubs."
Whether a similar group will be formed on the McMain campus remains to be
seen, but Marco Meneghini, the McMain teacher and co-chairman of GLSEN's
New Orleans chapter, said things seem to be looking up. Next month, he
said, a panel from P-FLAG -- Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays --
will address the school's faculty about issues facing homosexual teens.
Marie Leger, 18, GLSEN's other co-chair who has been openly homosexual
since she was a sophomore in high school, hopes other schools will take
similar action, including the formation of gay-straight clubs.
"It's hard to grow up gay and not know anyone else who is gay," she said.
"Having a group gives these kids a chance to talk to other students -- both
gay and straight -- about what they're going through. It gives gay kids
and identify. It makes them feel safe.
(Also on page D-1)
TIPS FOR STUDENTS
* It is possible to be a straight friend of a gay person. This does not
mean you are gay or that your friend will try to turn the friendship into a
sexual relationship.
* Don't assume anything from appearance. Macho guys and cute girls may be
gay, while wimpy-looking guys and tough girls are often straight.
* You won't be infected with the AIDS virus by hanging out with a gay
friend. Sharing hypodermic needles and having unprotected gay or straight
sex are ways people get AIDS>
* Avoid using words like "fag" or "dyke". These names are hurtful, not
only to gays and lesbians but also to many others who have gay or lesbian
friends or family members.
* If you think you may be gay or lesbian, talk with your family if you can.
If you are not ready for that, talk with a teacher, a school counselor or
call a help line.
* Stand up against homophobia at your school by reporting anti-gay
comments to school officials, telling perpetrators that such comments are
unacceptable and, if your school starts one, joining a gay-straight club.
Source: Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gay (P-FLAG)
= = = = = = = =
(Also on page D-4)
RESOURCES
Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network ()GLSEN): Brings together gay
and straight teachers, students, parents and other concerned citizens to
combat homophobia in their schools; 948-7160; Web site, www.glsen.org
Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (P-FLAG): Offers support to
family members and friends of gay people; 895-3936; Web site,
www.gayneworleans.org/pflag/
Lesbian and Gay Community Center of New Orleans: Offers a youth services
program for teens and young adults. The group meets on Saturday
afternoons; 522-1103
Jewish Family Services: Provides counseling to families, children and
adolescents, including gay and lesbian teens (with parental permission), on
a sliding scale payment basis; 831-8475
Family Services of Greater New Orleans: Provides counseling to families,
children and adolescents, including gay and lesbian teens (with parental
permission); 822-0800
Gay Counseling Line: A 24-hour counseling and help line; 833-1500
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Estrada, Gilbert
Here are two articles from the Times-Picayune. Neither article reflects
New Orleans per se, but both are informative in their own right. The first
is gay-related; the second, a sampling of so-called morals in small town
Louisiana.
Gilbert
Reprinted without permission, Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.); February
12, 2000; A-3:
STATE BRIEFS
Board rejects clubs policy for schools
BATON ROUGE -- A proposed policy has been rejected that would have given
all public school extracurricular clubs, including chapters of the Gay
Straight Alliance, the right to meet on high school campuses. After the
East Baton Rouge Parish School Board voted against the policy Thursday, a
high school senior trying to start a chapter of the gay club said he would
contact an attorney. "My rights have been trampled on," said Martin
Pfeifer, a student at McKinley High School. Attorney Ken Sills, who
drafted new clubs policy for the board, said the board's failure to approve
a new policy means the old policy, with no written rules, remains. The old
policy simply says the board encourages student participation in clubs. It
was under that policy the Pfeiffer's request was denied. The new policy
would have required the system to comply with the federal Equal Access Act,
which basically says all extracurricular clubs must be treated equally.
The law was passed in the 1980s when conservatives were pushing for the
right to have religious clubs on school campuses.
= = =
Reprinted without permission, Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.); February
12, 2000; also on page A-3:
Gallery bows to police, removes nude painting
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Woman complained after seeing display
---
By the Associated Press
BREAUX BRIDGE -- Artist Kirby Rogere yielded to police pressure and took
the paining of a nude woman out of his Main Street gallery window Wednesday.
Police had warned Rogere that if he did not remove the painting from the
window of his business, Rogere's Gallery, he would be arrested under the
state's obscenity law and the art would be confiscated.
Rogere got the idea for "Golden Nude," a 4-by-5-food oil painting that
depicts a nude woman reclining on a sofa with one hand covering her
genitals, from a photograph of a 14th century paining published in a recent
issue of the magazine, Italian Paintings.
The paining had been hanging in the window since Saturday.
Rogere, 70, describes the work as "everyday themes with everyday people."
"How could anyone find this (the painting) offensive?" Rogere asked. "On
any given day, you see more nudity than this on a 30-second television
commercial.
"The only reason I took it down is to refrain from being arrested. But
taking it down doesn't really affect my message because of all the news
coverage this has received."
Carol McManus, a patron at the gallery on Thursday, said she liked the
paining and that Rogere should not have been forced to remove it.
"This isn't the 1940s. In today's society, we call body parts what they
are. There's a Victoria's Secret commercial out now that's a bit
interesting. These small-minded people who think that this painting is
obscene would need to take a look at that commercial. We're not in Iran or
Iraq, we're in the U.S. of A."
Victoria's Secret advertisements include lingerie models.
A woman, whom police would not identify, complained Monday to police about
the painting, Breaux Bridge Assistant Police Chief Rollie Cantu said
Thursday.
The woman attends a church about a block away from the gallery and saw the
painting Sunday on her way to the church, he said. She complained again
Tuesday because the painting had not been removed.
Cantu said he drove past the painting on Monday, saw nothing wrong with it
and returned to work.
The next day, after the woman complained again, Cantu said, the police
chief and the mayor drove by the gallery and told Rogere that, at that
time, they saw nothing wrong with the painting's placement but would have
to seek advice from the city attorney.
Cantu said that he, the chief and the mayor described the painting to city
attorney Chester Cedars at a meeting Tuesday. Cedars said the painting
violates the state's obscenity law, Cantu said.
It was not clear whether Cedars had seen the paining and he could not be
reached for comment Thursday.
Cantu said, however, that "Mr. Rogere's painting does violate state law
Statute 1406.3, which states that advertising of sexual violent material or
the printing of obscene material which exposes any genitals, or the female
breast of vaginal area with the intent to arose is illegal...," Cantu said.
Rogere said he was offended that he was asked to remove the painting
because he had worked hard on it.
"...I thought I was doing a service to humanity," Rogere said.