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Loading ...Man claims he was ejected from Madonna concert for being gay
12.02.2008 5:20pm EST
(Denver, Colorado) A gay Denver man claims he was arrested at a Madonna concert following complaints by another concertgoer about the man’s sexual orientation.
Jerome Schroeder says that he and his boyfriend were subjected to homophobic remarks by a couple sitting in front of them but that they ignored the insults.About an hour into the concert, Schroeder tells The Rocky Mountain News, a police officer approached him and his boyfriend and told them they had to leave.
Schroeder says that the officer refused to give any explanation other than that the Pepsi Center wanted them removed. When Schroeder refused to leave, the officer arrested him on a charge of trespassing.
Schroeder also claims the officer refused to give his name and poked him in the chest.
“The only explanation is that it was based on our sexuality,” Schroeder told The Rocky Mountain News. “There is no other explanation that makes sense.”
Schroeder said that the man seated in front of him repeatedly made homophobic remarks under his breath, but loud enough to hear. The man’s female companion complained that Schroeder had shoved her- something Schroeder denies.
“We had no interaction with the female,” Schroeder said. “I couldn’t even tell you what she looked like.”
Schroeder was held in jail for several hours before posting bail.
He has filed a formal complaint with the Office of the Independent Monitor alleging an “anti-gay attitude.” The complaint also said that Denver Police officers are not properly trained to handle situations involving sexual bias.
“The police that interacted with us at the Pepsi Center are the ones I’m most upset with,” Schroeder told The News. “They were disrespectful and very forceful.”
The Independent Monitor is a city agency that independently investigates complaints against police. It has the power to make recommendations to the Chief of Police over any possible discipline. The investigation is expected to take about two months.
The Denver Police Department has launched its own internal affairs investigation.
I occasionally have some good interactions with police.
Most I’ve had to deal with have been calm, polite and professional.
I had one pet-owning policeman very pleased that I rescued a kitten that kept running into the street and narrowly miss each time being hit by a car.
I know a gay policeman named Brett and everyone likes him. Some uf us gays call him by his first name. He is in our local gay newspaper sometimes. Our local gay men’s group is friends with Pat a lesbian senior who was a DC cop. Nicest person with the police I’ve met. I recently sold her a cat mat for cats that I knitted on request from her.
Some of the ones I’ve met here and there are calm, cheerful people willing to give road directions to me when I am not sure of my map, etc.
Wait. did it take this situation for Schroeder to realize that cops are bully fascist bastards? Seriously? Had he never been treated poorly by a cop before? I’m glad he went this long w/o issue with the police. They don’t call cops pigs for nothing. And the gay/lesbian cops are the worst, they will do anything for their breeder brethren. It’s like black cops beating up black kids for the white cops to enjoy. Law enforcement is made up of all those people that hate us. What else are those people going to do?
The gay couple involved seemed to take it like champs? WHY? Why didn’t you really act up? Seems we are in times of mutiny. Let’s get going with it already!!! Things need to get way more radical.
Either I’m drunk or the planet is turning backwards…Trace, you’re right. (I managed to type that, and damn I’m proud!) What’s the backstory? What/where is the corroborating evidence? Assuming there was a police report, what does it say?
I have a question! How’d the couple inn front of them, even have a the the guys/guy behind them were gay! I go many places with my lover of 20++ years and though many people know we are gay, the average couple stannding or seated next to me would be clueless as to my sexualalty. Well if I were kissing him or some other PDA (public display of affection) they might but….
First, I doubt that Madonna was directing the police action while performing. Second, Denver has a great gay community. Third, Colorado is a blue state. Fourth, homophobic fat f*cks live in every county of this country. Fifth, ignorant police officers are on every police force in this country.
Sixth, alas, we have such little info from this “story” to really comment further…
Who said Madonna even knew what was happening?
BULLCRAP!!! MADONNA WOULD NEVER DO THAT!!!! You are a liar and I don’t believe you because I go to Madonna concerts and she would never eject anyone for being Gay! You guys need to tell the whole story here!!!
So Denver is a “welcoming” city??? Then why the thugs annoying a gay couple who were minding their own business at a concert. What about the policeman who arrested them when they dared to ask his name???? Sounds about on the level of Uganda and Saudi Arabia to me!!!
Curtis, then I recommend that you visit Denver. Denver is one of the most welcoming and opening cities that you will visit. Denver has a vibrant and thriving gay community. Not only is the majority of the city fitness oriented but it’s also tolerant of many different types of people.
I believe that these guys were treated horribly because Denver isn’t known to be too gay friendly. I have heard several stories of people being gay bashed and just treated horribly in Denver. If you want to ski, then Denver is your place, if your in the military than Denver is your place but if your gay, you need to stay away from Denver.
Sloppy, Sloppy Story. We didn’t talk to the Pepsi Center? The Madonna Staff? The Police Department?
Try again 365gay and come back with a complete story.
Earlier this year in Seattle at Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors concert there was a lesbian couple who were ejected from the concert for kissing from what I remember.
Unfortunately authorities are not held accountable for their actions.
I live in the MD suburbs near DC. Fortunately, I live in an area where gay couples can usually go to concerts, etc. without being hassled.
It helps to live in a “blue state”.
You know times are bad when it’s not ok to be gay at a Mo concert!
from a madonna concert? ya right