The City of San Diego has declined to pay $150,000 to a local man who says his civil rights were violated during a controversial arrest for alleged public nudity at last year’s San Diego Pride Festival.
As reported in the Dec. 1, 2011 print edition of of San Diego LGBT Weekly, San Diego police with involvement and encouragement from Pride security personnel, allegedly violated the civil rights of Will X. Walters by executing an “illegal and unlawful” detention; for publicly humiliating him and arresting him for wearing what the claim against the city describes as a gladiator kilt. As the claim pointed out, the city appears to have a different, arguably more permissive enforcement policy regarding decency laws, such as public nudity.
According to Walters’ attorney, Chris Morris, the $150, 000 figure was arrived at by claiming $50,000 for each of the charges (unlawful detention, public humiliation, and unlawful arrest).
The city attorney’s office would not comment on the issue, because it is an ongoing legal matter.
“They (the city) have rejected the claim, but discussions are ongoing,” said Morris.
Will Walters says monetary compensation for officers’ alleged violations of his civil rights is not the most important aspect of the restitution he is seeking.
“I want a formal apology,” Walters told LGBT Weekly. “This shouldn’t have happened, and it shouldn’t happen again to anyone.”
Good. It is extremely tacky and society’s rules re public nudity are generally very reasonable. I assume he is gay, we need to check our own sometimes.
Pride staff should no better then not to support paid guest to their own event. pride festival needs better entertainment not 90’s pop stars.
A gladiator Kilt like the on in the picture is a usual only worn without underwqear for sex play. To be legal (still a little sketchy) you would need to wear a thong or jockstrap to keep your boys from swinging out the sides. I have two longer kilts that I often wear without underwear and i have one similar to the one in the picture. I have worn it out on halloween once with a leather thong underneath.