Balance

A Nebraska woman is suing all homosexual people in federal court. A Swedish peace group sends mixed signals to gay Russian sailors in a message that calls for greater efforts toward peaceful resolution of conflict, as well as for improved treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals in Russia.

Litigating for God

In Driskell v. Homosexuals, a Nebraska woman brought her concerns about the rising tide of LGBT awareness in the country to federal court. She claimed, in her seven-page handwritten complaint, that “homosexuals know it is a sin to live a life of homosexuality.” She goes on to muse in the pleadings, “why else would they have been hiding in the closet?”

The court filing was reportedly riddled with spelling errors, extensive excerpts from the Bible and quotes from Webster’s Dictionary, along with expressions of the deep if misguided concerns of its author. The self-represented plaintiff rails against “the day in which our Great Nation and our Great State of Nebraska would become compliant to the complicity of some peoples’ lewd behavior.”

Not a Forum for Debate or Discourse

The court summarily dismissed the pleading, noting that federal courts exist for the purpose of resolving actual cases under the laws and constitution of the United States. The judge noted that courts do not provide a “forum for debate or discourse on theological matters.”

Some gays responded with interest in the proceedings. Author and activist Dan Savage tweeted his hope that he might be deposed in the lawsuit. Other bloggers satirically expressed concern over the pending litigation, joking that they may need to liquidate their assets to pay a money judgment to Ms. Driskell if her claims were to succeed.

Gay Since 1944

A buoy topped with a neon image of a sexy sailor in his briefs that was placed along the coast near Stockholm by a Swedish peace group is their way to convey a few related messages. In the wake of a controversial alleged sighting of a Russian submarine in Swedish waters last year, the military engaged in a costly hunt for signs of the stealthy sub in vain. Now the government proposes sinking a further 11.2 billion Kronor ($1.4 billion) to install new underwater defense systems.

The peace group wants that spending to go toward socially useful needs instead. The saucy sailor on the satirical floating welcome to Russian sailors proclaims, in English and in Russian, “Welcome to Sweden. Gay since 1944” referring to the year that homosexuality was decriminalized in the country. President of the group explained that the “Singing Sailor Underwater Defense System” uses humor to draw attention to the poor treatment of LGBT communities in Russia.

Spoofing on the military foibles, as well as the conclusion that the best response to alleged threats is more spending on military machinery, the installment includes sonar broadcast that can be picked up by any submarine traffic in the area with the message, “gay sailors this way.”

Signs of Gay Times

Like the creative peace group in Sweden, and unlike the frustrated litigant in Nebraska, nearly everyone who believes in causes of freedom, justice, equality and liberation can take action. With a satirical or serious tone, something as simple as a respectful comment on a social media post, or as old school as a letter to the editor, or as radical as a Singing Sailor Underwater Defense System, it is possible to help awaken people to the illogical thinking behind many examples of injustice and intolerance.

Respect the Courts

While some may have legitimate reason to go to court to resolve issues of rights and responsibilities in the country, it is best to approach matters of the court only as a last resort. Whichever side of the debate over religion and rights you find yourself on, it is probably better not to take your complaint to federal court without competent legal advice.