Disabled Gay Couple Kicked Out of Kentucky Public Pool, Because “It’s In The Bible”

Earlier this week, a disabled gay couple were kicked out of a public pool in Hazard, Kentucky. A staff member at the Hazard Pavilion recreation center told the two men and their aids that they needed to leave because “‘gay people’ weren’t allowed to swim there.” And why not? Apparently, because “it’s in the Bible.”

The two men, who are developmentally and intellectually disabled, arrived at the pool accompanied by staff from Mending Hearts Inc. The organization provides support for people with certain disabilities and helps guide their behavior in public. “Neither of these young men was exhibiting inappropriate public behavior as witnessed by their direct support staff,” said Julia Oiler Spiegel of the Kentucky Equality Federation.

Shirlyn Perkins, Mending Hearts’ Executive Director, told the Kentucky Equality Federation that “Pavilion staff immediately entered the pool area and asked my clients and their staff to leave the Pavilion.”

“My staff asked The Pavilion staff why they were being asked to leave, and they were informed that ‘gay people’ weren’t allowed to swim there. [They] told this man that what he was trying to do was discrimination,” Perkins continued. “The man stated that what he was doing was in the Bible and he could do it. My staff continued to argue with this man, but was ultimately forced to leave.”

The Kentucky Equality Federation called the incident “completely outrageous.” “The Pavilion is owned by the City of Hazard and paid for by our tax dollars,” said Jordan Palmer, the organization’s president. “[Religion] has no place in government.” The Advocate reports that Palmer’s group and others are planning to protest at the Pavilion and Hazard City Hall.

“My clients, whom already feel ridiculed and different, left the city-owned facility crying and embarrassed for trying to participate in ‘normal’ activities that everyday ‘normal’ people do,” Perkins said of the incident.

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New G.

12:06AM PST on Jan 19, 2012

I agree with Annmari L.

send a green star

Past Member .

4:04PM PST on Dec 29, 2011

I'd kick them out too, in there with their butt plugs and leaky poo bums, matter of hygiene

Lynda M.

8:35PM PST on Nov 12, 2011

Um, I've read the Bible quite a few times, and I don't remember anything that said, "Thou shalt not allow homosexuals in public pools."

Ely C.

6:50AM PST on Nov 9, 2011

OH-- so that must have been one of the commandments on the tablet Moses dropped on his way down from the burning bush--because I never heard that one before.

Rhonda B.

12:09PM PDT on Sep 14, 2011

Not only does the gay aspect call for a serious demonstration, but the lifeguard was in violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act since the men were cognitively impaired.

Ok, all you drag queens get out the bikinis and push the handicapped folks along in their wheelchairs. This kind of thing has to stop NOW.

jane r.

11:01AM PDT on Aug 28, 2011

I seem to remember Treat your fellow man as you yourself would want to be treated.

Joy J.

10:55AM PDT on Aug 26, 2011

That's ridiculous. What happened to an unbiased government. No public facility (besides churches etc.) should judge their customers by race, gender or sexual orientation.

Martha E.

6:24PM PDT on Aug 4, 2011

So much for freedom of religion and separation of church and state. The pool attendant also might be surprised that over 10% of the people in the pool might have been gay, but not "out."

Annmari L.

4:21PM PDT on Aug 1, 2011

Public means taxpayers money and abiding by the law and public rules, etc. I have a strong feeling that that attendant will be busy looking for a new job, preferrable one that doesn't involve interaction with any living being. If he's allowed to stay it will just confirm that he was right in his actions and that discrimination is OK.

Ann S.

10:56PM PDT on Jul 29, 2011

Article title should read "Pool boy picks on handicapped pair - feels like big fish in small pond."