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 Gay Marriage Foe Arraigned On Charges Stemming
From Demonstration
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: April 12, 2007 - 7:00 pm ET
(Worcester, Massachusetts) The former leader of a
Catholic group advocating a constitutional ban on gay marriage in Massachusetts
has been arraigned on assault and civil rights violations stemming from a
demonstration last December.
Larry Cirignano, 50, who at the time was the head of Catholic Citizenship, is
alleged to have attacked a woman taking part in a counter demonstration at an
anti-gay rally in front of Worcester City Hall last December 16. (story)
Sarah Loy, 27, was part of a group who stood near
the front of the rally where Cirignano was speaking.
Loy was carrying a sign reading “No
discrimination in the Constitution”.
Cirignano reportedly had just finished leading
the Pledge of Allegiance when he spotted Loy and her sign.
Police allege that he left the podium and tackled
Loy to the ground. “You need to get out. You need to get out of here right
now,” he reportedly told her as her head was pushed into the concrete
sidewalk.
As Loy lay bruised and bloodied on the sidewalk
Cirignano reportedly returned to lectern, joining other leaders of the protest
in condemning same-sex marriage and demanding the proposed amendment be put on
the ballot.
Other members of her group helped Loy from the
scene. Loy who is straight and a supporter of same-sex marriage, had gone to the
protest with her husband David.
Cirignano several weeks later left Catholic
Citizenship to lead a similar anti-gay marriage group nationally and now lives
outside Washington DC.
At his arraignment hearing Cirignano was
released on personal recognizance on the condition he stay at least 100 yards away from
Loy and have
no direct or indirect contact with her.
The indictment states that Cirignano interfered
with Loy’s constitutional rights, including the right to demonstrate and
freedom of speech.
He is scheduled to return to court May 1.
The Worcester rally was one of several Catholic
Citizenship helped organize to pressure lawmakers to approve the proposed
amendment.
On January 2, lawmakers approved the amendment.
It must receive a second approval this year in order to go on the 2008 ballot.
©365Gay.com 2007
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