Two gay men jailed without pants in Ohio

Two gay Ohio men say they were arrested and jailed without their pants in what may be a slam against their sexual orientation. Steven Ondo and Jonathan Simcox are suing the city of Cleveland and its police force, asking for unspecified damages, in what they call anti-gay bias the Associated Press is reporting.

Their claims come amidst allegations that an off-duty officer – neighbors to the two men – complained about noise, later escalating to an altercation on the street. Ondo and Simcox were arrested twice, the second time while at home in only T-shirts and underwear.

The two men say they were called an anti-gay slur and were denied the opportunity to dress properly once booked in jail.

Charges against the men arising from allegedly assaulting the officer were acquitted at trial.

The city of Cleveland said Friday it will respond to the lawsuit in court.