Get Out of Jury Duty if You’re Gay?
Courtesy of Jonathan D. Lovitz
People have used a lot of excuses to get out of jury duty – I run my own business! I care for a sick neighbor! I have a bad back! – but one man in New York City recently cited his sexual orientation as the reason he couldn’t serve.
“I raised my hand and said, ‘Since I can’t get married or adopt a child in the State of New York, I can’t possible be an impartial judge of a citizen when I am considered a second-class citizen in the eyes of the justice system,'” writes Jonathan D. Lovitz on his Facebook page.
The actor, model and singer (he’s on Logo’s upcoming show Setup Squad) was dismissed from the case, reports Michael Musto in his Village Voice column. Now, the phenomenon is being called “Jury Duty Block,” a move that gay rights activists are encouraging other LGBT people to consider as a way to bring attention to discrimination.
What do you think?
Would you out yourself to the judge and jury as a civil rights statement? Is it smart to recuse yourself when you could play an important part in justice? Or is this just a lame attempt to skip jury duty and get press for the new show?
