Man blasts cops' 'anti-gay attitude' in arrest
By Judi Villa, Rocky Mountain News
Published December 2, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Jerome Schroeder
The man seated in front of Jerome Schroeder kept hurling slurs about his sexuality.
Schroeder, who is gay, said he ignored the insults. He had forked over nearly $200 for a ticket to see Madonna with his boyfriend and some other friends. He just wanted to dance and enjoy the show.
But about an hour into the concert last month at the Pepsi Center, police came and escorted Schroeder, his boyfriend and a female friend from their seats.
When Schroeder refused to leave the venue, he was arrested on charges of trespassing and jailed.
"The only explanation is that it was based on our sexuality," Schroeder said Monday. "There is no other explanation that makes sense."
Schroeder has filed a complaint with Denver police, alleging an "anti-gay attitude." He also says officers weren't properly trained to handle situations fueled by sexual bias.
Denver police Detective Sharon Avendano said she couldn't comment on the case because there is an active internal affairs investigation under way.
Police arrest documents say only that Schroeder, a Denver radiologist, was taken into custody after he refused to leave and told officers to "arrest me."
"We were clueless as to why we were being removed from our seats," Schroeder said.
He said police told him, "the Pepsi Center wants you to leave." Police wouldn't say why, telling him only that he could leave or be arrested.
"Since I had done nothing, I said, 'Arrest me,' " Schroeder said.
He said a heterosexual couple was seated in front of him at the concert and that the man repeatedly called him and his boyfriend a derogatory name under his breath, but loud enough to hear.
The woman then complained that Schroeder had shoved her. He says the allegation is "ludicrous."
"We had no interaction with the female," Schroeder said. "I couldn't even tell you what she looked like."
When Schroeder was handcuffed, he said an officer yelled at him and repeatedly poked him in the chest after he asked for the officer's name.
Schroeder was taken to the city jail and held for six hours before he posted $100 bail.
"The police that interacted with us at the Pepsi Center are the ones I'm most upset with," Schroeder said. "They were disrespectful and very forceful."
Schroeder lodged a complaint with Denver's independent monitor and said he has agreed to mediation.
Richard Rosenthal, the city's independent monitor, said Schroeder's complaint is under review.
"If somebody is angry and upset enough to file a formal complaint, then we give it credence," Rosenthal said. "There is value in communicating about it."
Mediation usually takes about 60 days and leads to "greater satisfaction, greater communication and a better understanding between the parties," he said.
That's what Schroeder wants. He said he isn't looking for a monetary settlement, although he'd like to be compensated for the tickets, plus his bail and attorney's fees.
What he really wants is an apology. And he wants police to review their policies.
"There seems to be selective attention given to gay people," Schroeder said. "It is an outrage that we were disrespected as we were."
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December 2, 2008
7:12 a.m.
Suggest removal
The_KIMN_Chicken writes:
To the hetero guy who was mumbleing about gays, dude you were at a Madonna concert! I'm thinking he who protest the most if you know what I mean...
December 2, 2008
7:23 a.m.
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knowitall writes:
bottom line....cops are really really dumb.
December 2, 2008
7:40 a.m.
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HoosierGuy writes:
If he is telling the truth I hope he gets justice. I don't agree with the lifestyle or treating people badly because of it. If he isn't telling the truth I hope he gets the boom lowered on him.
December 2, 2008
7:44 a.m.
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roger44 writes:
Wonder how the guy bothering him knew he was gay?
December 2, 2008
7:49 a.m.
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AngelontheSidelines writes:
What kind of alleged straight guy will shell out $400 to go see Madonna? Then complain to Pepsi Center security about gays?
There is more to this story than we see here, the Rocky reporters s u c k, yet again.
December 2, 2008
7:52 a.m.
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RJS07 writes:
hmm...is this playing the gay card?
December 2, 2008
8:13 a.m.
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BDC writes:
"He said police told him, "the Pepsi Center wants you to leave." Police wouldn't say why, telling him only that he could leave or be arrested. " ""Since I had done nothing, I said, 'Arrest me,' " Schroeder said."
There's all the explanation you need.
December 2, 2008
8:14 a.m.
06concept writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
December 2, 2008
8:26 a.m.
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bagwan writes:
It seems to me that if the police where targeting gays for arrest at a Madonna concert that there would have to been dozens of buses available.
December 2, 2008
8:37 a.m.
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redfive writes:
Yeah, what's a straight guy doing at a Madonna concert? I bet he's a Ru Paul fan, too. Your man card has been revoked!
December 2, 2008
8:39 a.m.
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zivo24 writes:
Bottom line...straight or gay...he should have the right to know why he was being asked to leave.
If he was obviously drunk then the venue security would probably ask the cops to remove him for his and everyone else's safety.
I was at the first Madonna concert on 11/12 and there were dozens of hammered housewives all around me. I never saw a single cop and the event staff only cared about making sure that no one was trying to sit an area they weren't ticketed for.
If they asked him to leave because of the complaint of another patron, which is what he alleges, the security and cops probably went too far and will end up paying for it, in one way or another.
They can't eject someone from an event that they have a ticket for unless simply on the word of another person.
The hammered housewives around me were up and down the entire night, running to get more drinks, bumping into everyone with their saddlebag thighs and butts so big they should have their own zip codes. When they were at their seats they were either calling their friends on the other side of the arena and screaming at them above the music while waving their arms with the sails of flab underneath them blocking out other people's views of the stage or dancing like fools, spilling drinks, etc.
They pretty much ruined the show for alot of people around them.
I doubt that if I had gone to security and asked that they be removed that they would have done anything...so I am kind of wondering why this trio was singled out. Either they were way worse than the Highlands Ranch Hags or the cops made a big mistake.
December 2, 2008
8:57 a.m.
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pete10000ft writes:
06concept: it's ok to come out of the closet... we won't treat you any differently
December 2, 2008
9:02 a.m.
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drnugget writes:
I think the 'straight' guy at the Madonna concert was more of a Ted haggard or Mark Foley or Larry Craig type 'straight' guy.
December 2, 2008
9:03 a.m.
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toocool writes:
Forking over $200 to $400 bucs to see some old has-been in a corset would seem to require medical attention.
December 2, 2008
9:11 a.m.
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krvus writes:
This is too hilarious! Thanks for the initial laugh in the morning RMN!! LOL LOL LOL
December 2, 2008
9:14 a.m.
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CaptainObvious writes:
Truther and 06concept, you are both wrong. I would think people as hung up on homosexuality as both of you would want to keep such outdated yet revealing thoughts private. But enjoy the closet! Together.
December 2, 2008
9:16 a.m.
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Steph writes:
I agree with the earlier posters that anyone paying $200-$400 bucks to see that old hag, deserve whatever they get - straight or gay.
December 2, 2008
9:38 a.m.
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B300 writes:
I hope gay people read this and really think about what they are doing! There are still way too many people that disaprove of their lifestyle. I just dont like hearing about sick people all the time. What they are doing is wrong, and I dont want it their beliefs jammed down my throat! Go away!! Keep your crap in the closet!
December 2, 2008
9:40 a.m.
horace writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
December 2, 2008
9:44 a.m.
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zivo24 writes:
Jerome Schroeder?
That's Eugene Levy...with REAALLLLY white teeth.
December 2, 2008
9:46 a.m.
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katiestone writes:
the level of homophobic discrimination and ignorance displayed by the Denver Police (on many occasions aside from just this) as well as the posters on this website is absolutely horrific. these people aren't judging your relationship or your marriage. we are all equal. let them love whomever they chose already.
YOU SHOULD ALL BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES.
December 2, 2008
9:47 a.m.
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GK writes:
B300 and McCrush have some deep rooted issues and need to get some serious therapy.
December 2, 2008
9:47 a.m.
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philvysor writes:
I wonder what would have happened if it was 2 ladies kissing or holding hands or displaying affection for one another at this concert. I am sure the majority of us would not be complaining, as a matter of fact I'm sure the guy who complained would have pulled out his cell phone and took pictures.
December 2, 2008
9:58 a.m.
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zivo24 writes:
Katiestone,
Thank you..but have no fear...love will prevail over hate.
Justice and equailty will prevail over self-centered discrimination.
December 2, 2008
9:59 a.m.
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JimEast writes:
This is terrifying! I don't know what happened at the Pepsi Center that night...but, these posts are ridiculously homophobic! So what if two guys kiss and hold hands in public?! What is that to you? Why are you so offended by it? Gay people have spent their whole lives watching straight people kiss and hold hands. If two people care for each other, let them express it, without hurting anyone else. Get over it! How arrogant to say that anyone should "stay in the closet!" That's just mean!
December 2, 2008
10:02 a.m.
Suggest removal
krvus writes:
philvysor-
Yea, unless they were the "wide glide" housewives that zivo24 referred to earlier.....LOL
Seriously though, Schroeder probably got in trouble for something that is not being told here. Cops have better things to do than remove some gay guy from a concet because he's gay. I'm betting that Schroeder did something- possibly did push the woman or something else that had him removed and then he played the gay card. Maybe the people in front were making rude comments like calling him a f_a_g or something else....big deal but come on people.....we must be past the world fo sticks and stones. I've been called many things in my life and choose to ignore the idiot saying it instead of going to jail over it. So Schroeder gets to miss a day of work and pay some fines now because someone hurt his feelings and it got to him. Maybe Schroeder needs an anger management class?? This world is not going to stop because he felt hurt...we all get hurt on a daily basis...even the 3rd graders that Schroeder reminds me of.
December 2, 2008
10:05 a.m.
Suggest removal
zipper writes:
So this guy is claiming he was arrested for being gay? He was arrested because of his sexuality? please. Give me a break. Denver cops can and will handcuff, arrest, and harass anyone at anytime, they need no reason. If you act like a jackass, they are more likely to arrest you. You got kicked out of the show, happens all the time, and guess what it happens to gays, straights, bi's, men, women, transvestites, whites, blacks, asians, hispanics, just about anyone. Sounds like this guy is paranoid about being gay, it's his behavior that got him kicked out, not his sexual preference.
December 2, 2008
10:06 a.m.
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zivo24 writes:
So..per philsyvor, et al, one way to put an end to gay discrimination is to get straight women as coo coo for coconuts over two guys making out and/or having sex as straight guys get over two women doing it.
Well, that probably would lead to the end of civilization as we know it because all straight women would then have expectations of what great romance and sex can be like that very few straight men would be able to meet.
December 2, 2008
10:07 a.m.
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krvus writes:
Yup! Zipper has it!!
December 2, 2008
10:07 a.m.
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philvysor writes:
Or maybe he shouldn't have wore the Maddonna look alike outfit to the concert, he probably hit the lady in front of him with those big cones coming from his chest. Or maybe his boyfriend was dressed as Britney Spears and thats why he couldn't resist showing some affection at the concert.
December 2, 2008
10:08 a.m.
B300 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
December 2, 2008
10:17 a.m.
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IRUNMAN writes:
I find it interesting how gay sex made it into this story?
As "Dude" responds to a post, once again, talking about gay sex where gay sex has no weight in this story.
Hate to break it to you, but being gay is not all about sex.
It amazes me how many straight people "just can't get past the sex part."
Well, don't think about it then, I don't think about hetero sex.
December 2, 2008
10:19 a.m.
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BigRich writes:
Anyone (straight or gay) who attends a Madonna concert deserves what thet get. He spent $200 a ticket for friggin' MADONNA??? Heck with jail, he needed to be put on a mental health hold. That's just nuts!
December 2, 2008
10:35 a.m.
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zivo24 writes:
BigRich,
I feel the same way about anyone who would spend even $5 to see a Rookies game.
By the way...until you see a Madonna concert..you know not what you speak of...they're pretty amazing.
December 2, 2008
10:35 a.m.
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philvysor writes:
zivo24, since when is it your's or mine responsiblity to deal with gay discrimination? What other people do in their lives is their choice, I don't agree with what they do but I don't judge them either. Live and let live.
December 2, 2008
10:39 a.m.
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Heidi writes:
mxRider writes:
"Yeah, I agree, take away his man card. But then again, he was scoring BIG points with his lady friend I'm sure!"
Even if I liked Madonna, I wouldn't be impressed with a guy that does. And I would not expect him to go with me if he didn't like her. Who wants to be around someone not having a good time or faking a good time?
December 2, 2008
10:41 a.m.
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zivo24 writes:
um...Philvysor...
It's my place to deal with gay discrimination...because I'm gay.
And yes...I've had someone try to use my sexual orientation as a weapon against me....fortunately, I was blessed to come from a family whose unconditional love taught me to stand up for myself.
They failed.
I think you misunderstood the sarcasm in my post. The gays and gay friendly folks got it.
December 2, 2008
10:43 a.m.
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ron65ron writes:
B300 and the many few, you seem to be filled with extremem hate. Hopefully if you are ever in the hospital or need a laywer, or need to go to a grocer, or anything else, I hope these people see through the hate and provide you with service, as you will never be able to tell who is gay and who is not. Hopefully you do not get one of us gays to provide one of these services for you, as I would definitely watch over my shoulder.
December 2, 2008
10:44 a.m.
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MsValeriah writes:
My comment is in reference to the posters complaining about two men kissing or holding hands in public. No one gets upset when a hetero couple kisses in public - why shouldn't gay couples (of either gender) have the same right to express affection toward one another? I'm not talking about making out in public here (inappropriate for ANYONE, IMHO), I'm talking about ordinary affectionate pecks and hand holding - two people in love should be able to enjoy that. Open your narrow minds, people, and let some fresh air and sunshine in. Love between two people is a good thing. Regardless of gender combination. Just get over it.
December 2, 2008
10:46 a.m.
Suggest removal
Cowboy63 writes:
Get used to it. Every time a gay guy gets busted for ANYTHING he will scream discrimination. I'm sure there's a lot of this story left out for political reasons - I'm sure out of how many thousands the Pepsi Center specifically targeted these two guys to leave for no reason. Riiiiiight.
Friendly Tip: don't shout "arrest me" to a cop.
December 2, 2008
10:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
pietrojoe writes:
B300, I feel sorry for how narrow minded you are. Besides how utterly uneducated and stupid you sound, you also sound cold and heartless.
Why should we deny these people the same glimmer of hope everyone is looking for? Why can't they have a little love in their lives?
You might not understand their sexual orientation, but you should not automatically condem them and foster such hatred.
That will get you nowhere friend.
December 2, 2008
10:55 a.m.
Suggest removal
philvysor writes:
zivo24, I did misunderstand. Sorry. I have a "primo" who is also gay and I never have or will judge him for what he does. I will crack jokes at his expense but he knows its all in fun. I have nothing against gay people at all just to let you know.
December 2, 2008
11:02 a.m.
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ou8one2 writes:
'Arrest me,' " Schroeder said." Then he said 'cuff, spank me, tell me what a bad boy i've been, mr. big bad policeman.' must have fulfilled some kind of fantasy for himself. LOL!
December 2, 2008
11:04 a.m.
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BigRich writes:
zivo24-
Attending a Madonna concert would not change my opinion. I have heard, and not cared for, most of her music for years. I've also seen enough of her on TV to get a pretty good idea of what would be coming in a concert. While my comment specifically picked on Madonna, it would also apply to many of the acts currently touring (AC/DC, NKOTB, etc.). Concert prices are nuts!
PS: I agree with your assessment of Rockies tickets.
December 2, 2008
11:26 a.m.
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CaptainObvious writes:
Wow, B300, you are a piece of work! Let me guess, your rage comes from your religion, because your religion "taught" you that being gay is wrong, so now you hate others who are different than you in the name of a loving god. And you think the gay people are screwed up? Not near as much as you are, my friend.
December 2, 2008
11:32 a.m.
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The_Punnisher writes:
Heidi is a rare one.
There is more unseen than what is being seessn. Do some REPORTING, RMN.
Don't just get the facts from the PIO. Dig and get the REAL STORY.
PIO=REMF...
December 2, 2008
11:33 a.m.
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Noia writes:
Well Mr. Schroeder, you explained some of reason yourself and the article gave a bit of insight to more of the reason.
The people in front of you say you pushed a lady. They complained. The Pepsi Center called the police over to ask you to leave, at that point it means you're trespassing, you refused to leave when asked. You then got arrested.
I would bet money the real story is closer to this:
You and your friends were a bit rowdy which is acceptable to a point at a concert. The people in front of you got tired of your antics and made rude comments. You heard and decided to "dance" in a way that caused you to repeatedly push into them until the woman got tired of it and complained.
It's not rocket science to figure out "why" you got arrested. It has nothing to do with you being gay but everything to do with you being a jacka$$.
Claiming you were targeted because you were gay...at a Madonna conert? That pretty much boggles the mind.
December 2, 2008
11:34 a.m.
Suggest removal
Heidi writes:
mxRider,
Now that was a nice gesture to take your daughter to Hanna Montana! Different scenario...
December 2, 2008
11:38 a.m.
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zivo24 writes:
There is so much missing from this story.
What was he actually charged with?
How could they hold him for six hours and then require him to pay bail to get out...if there are no charges pending?
Refusal to obey a police officer's command is a valid charge but a cop can't just tell someone they have to leave a venue for which they have a ticket without giving them a reason.
Why doesn't the police report detail why the venue staff asked the offider to remove him and his friends?
I'm gay..but I'm also the son of a retired Denver police employee...so my bias is torn in both directions and this really does seem a little sketchy to me.
Normally, I would suspect that Shroeder was editing the details of what actually happened....but I would expect the arresting officers to have documented in their arrest report the who, what, where and why of the entire incident.
From the sparse details of this story that doesn't seem to have
occurred.
If the officer had documented all the above and he and the event staff had valid reasons for ejecting Shroeder...this wouldn't be before the internal affairs committee and we woud know what Shroeder was charged with.
I have never been arrested (knock on wood!) but if a cop came up to me and told me I had to leave without telling me why..and I hadn't done anything to deserve being ejected...I would probably have reacted the same way.
I think most of you would, too.
With that being said...Jerome, girl..you need a makeover..cause you're looking like Eugene Levy but you're just a couple years away from being Floyd the Barber. Wink! JK!
December 2, 2008
11:50 a.m.
Suggest removal
LOUIE writes:
Captain, who said God was loving? Surely not the inhabitants of Sodom and Gommorah, or the Philistines. Can you imagine King David cutting off 100 Philistine foreskins as dowry for marriage to Saul's daughter? That's one heck of a battlefield trophy, wouldn't you say? There was always someone on the receiving end of God's wrath. So don't make Him to loving as He had his bad days too! LOL!
December 2, 2008
11:51 a.m.
Suggest removal
zivo24 writes:
Noia,
As I said in a previous post...
Having another patron complain shouldn't be enough to result in an ejection.
It's a concert. People dance at concerts. These people were in front of him so at most their knees might have been occassionally been hitting the backs of their seats.
Anyone who has been at Pepsi Center knows how cramped the rows and seating are...so I would expect the events staff and officers to take complaints with big grains of salt and only eject people who are obviously causing disturbances.
If they were just being a little overzealous in their enthusiam and someone complained because of it...they should have recieved a warning before being ejected.
If all anyone had to do was say, "He shoved me" to get someone ejected...everyone would be doing it to anyone who annoyed them...or had better seats.
December 2, 2008
11:51 a.m.
Suggest removal
Steve7485 writes:
I agree with Bagwan: If the cops were targeting gays at a Madonna concert, why haven't we heard about all the other arrests of gays they made that night?
December 2, 2008
11:55 a.m.
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HankReardon writes:
Drama Queen
December 2, 2008
11:57 a.m.
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Heidi writes:
Hank, that's not much of a headline. Come on...I know you can do better than that!
December 2, 2008
noon
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ColoradoNativeSteve writes:
Another example of rampant bigotry among Americans - meaning every individual who has voted for the prejudiced and completely unnecessary marriage laws. Americans are far more concerned with legislating life than solving the real root problem threatening the very existence of humanity - overpopulation. My personal response to the bigotry? I rent because I refuse to pay school taxes for the children of bigots. I should receive a tax break because I do not contribute to overpopulation. Bravo, Mr. Schroeder!
December 2, 2008
12:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
Heidi writes:
honey,
He is smiling pretty for the camera, isn't he?
mxRider,
I wonder where the funding is going to come from for those classes. After all of the lawsuits against the city and PD lately, it's a wonder they have any money left to pay for quality law enforcement.
December 2, 2008
12:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
LockNLoad writes:
Somehow, I doubt that this guy is totally innocent. The police don't just arrest people indiscrimently. You must be doing something that provokes it.
I imagine there is more to this story that is not being published. RMN is only reporting on this guy's side of it.
Sounds like he's looking for his 15 minnutes of fame and a payoff,
and then he can go skipping away. la la la la la.......
December 2, 2008
12:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
gs writes:
Anyone that was there care to comment? Maybe even sitting nearby?
PIO?
REMF?
December 2, 2008
12:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
freethinker07 writes:
The Pepsi Center managers wanted him to leave. The police don't have to agree with or even understand the manager's reason. If he refused to leave after being asked to, then he was guilty of trespass. The Pepsi Center may be guilty of discrimination, bad judgment, idiocy, or any variety of things but the police were merely responding to a legal request from management to evict someone.
If Schroeder wants to sue the Pepsi Center, he can.
As for the officer's behavior, I would really like to know what Schroeder did to the officer and whether Schroeder was cooperating.
December 2, 2008
12:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
cynical_one writes:
Gay men at a Madonna concert? Who would have thought?
A straight guy at the same concert? You have to wonder.
December 2, 2008
12:33 p.m.
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LOUIE writes:
Someday I'm going to find the right cop, together we'll retire rich. On camera about a month from the cop retiring, he can run into me with his cruiser, kick the crap out of me, call me a homo while pistol whipping the snot out of me, throw out a few ethnic slurs about me being a shanty Irishman, and sic his K9 unit on me, kick me to sleep in cuffs, all the while talking to the voices in his head. I'll sue the city for a few million, and split the deal with the cop as he can claim it was stress related to 20 years on the job arresting scum, and we can both be happy for the rest of our lives as soon as we both get out of our respective hospitals, (mine medical, his mental). All the @ss whoopings both of us have wore over the years on opposite sides of the law, we both might as well get paid for it.
December 2, 2008
12:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
cynical_one writes:
LOUIE writes:
"Someday I'm going to find the right cop, together we'll retire rich. On camera about a month from the cop retiring, he can run into me with his cruiser, kick the crap out of me, call me a homo while pistol whipping the snot out of me, throw out a few ethnic slurs about me being a shanty Irishman, and sic his K9 unit on me, kick me to sleep in cuffs, all the while talking to the voices in his head."
If we are lucky, you'd do that today.
December 2, 2008
12:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
mistyboo writes:
Jeez, I can't believe how many bigots there are in Denver. Are you really that threatened by someone who is gay? I've known and had gay friends of both sexes for the past 40 years or so. They don't ask me about my bedroom antics and I don't ask them about theirs either. Who cares!
December 2, 2008
12:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
denverrma writes:
Man Law #84.....Real men DON'T go to a Madonna concert!...with or without a girl, it's just a bad choice!
And to the guy hurling slurs to his gay neighbor....You are at a MADONNA concert! What did you think the crowd would be like!
December 2, 2008
12:48 p.m.
Suggest removal
philvysor writes:
Maybe this guy didn't go to see MADONNA, I think he was going to try and see if he could get a glimpse of ALEX RODRIQUEZ! What a HUNK! OOOO BABY!
December 2, 2008
12:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
forty5ford writes:
There's no reason that civility didn't prevail between the concert-goers, venue personnel and police. It's ridiculous for Schroeder to suggest his party politely/respectfully sat in their seats then were suddenly removed without good cause. I bet drugs (smuggled in), alcohol, profanity, threats/intimidation/bullying, and/or out-of-control behavior played a role in the happenings. At what point does reasonableness prevail, or does that even exist these days?
December 2, 2008
12:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
Beergut writes:
LockNLoad writes: "The police don't just arrest people indiscrimently".
Damn that's funny; although I think black men probably think it just tragic.
As for anybody at a Madonna concert: If you don't like watching gay people where do you look? There are plenty of them on the stage and in the crowd. Hope your shoes keep you entertain.
As for the gay guy who got arrested: Who knows if he's telling the truth, but it wouldn't shock me.
December 2, 2008
1:05 p.m.
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LOUIE writes:
It doesn't matter if this man was gay, he asked to be arrested when asked to leave the Pepsi Center. If it was because he was gay, he should have cooperated with the police, got their names along with an incident report, and went after the Pepsi Center. I believe the ticket even states something along the Pepsi Center's right to refuse a ticket holder. If you are confrontational with security, they will eject you. If he couldn't ignore the idiot in front of him for the comments he was making, he could have went to security and complained. I seen concerts there, and security will act upon a complaint. If you tell a cop to arrest you because you refuse a lawful order to leave, what alternative does he have? The other idiot baited this man, he took the bait, became confrontational, security shows up and he's angry and vents to the cops telling them they can arrest him because he's not going to leave, meanwhile the idiot who baited him plays it cool and walks, while this guy gets arrested. That's how I am reading this, and perhaps there is much we don't know that was said. Sexual orientation wasn't the issue except for the idiot using it to bait this guy, who became angry and didn't cooly handle himself by telling a cop he can arrest him. All security has to say is there was a disturbance, if it doesn't subside, someone's going to be ejected right or wrong. He should have followed the cops order, got names, pursued the matter legally against the Pepsi Center.
December 2, 2008
1:07 p.m.
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Gonzopozo writes:
Another entry in the massive PR campaign to overturn California's anti-gay-marriage law. It's all about the "discrimination".
Yawn.
December 2, 2008
1:14 p.m.
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LOUIE writes:
Cynical_one. you laugh, but with the kind of money the city puts out unchallenged in settlements, it's going to happen one day. Two will come together and the city will not be the wiser if it's set up right. Watch, if done right it can cost the city a few million. I can wear an @ss whipping for a million dollars, done it for a lot less!
December 2, 2008
1:19 p.m.
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Marshdale writes:
Gay or strait. It does not matter. Some of these coments are histerical.
December 2, 2008
1:35 p.m.
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CaptainObvious writes:
Good point mxRider. While other police departments have an "Ask, Tell, Make" policy (in that they will ask you to do something, then if you don't, they will tell you to do it, then if that doesn't work they will make you) the Denver police have a "Tell, Make" policy. They do not win too many politeness awards. Frankly, I don't have a problem with that, but I would certainly do what a DPD cop tells me to do! An Aurora cop told me about the different policies, and one should always consider the source.
December 2, 2008
1:36 p.m.
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D65 writes:
Most of you are doing a great job of making a public display of your ignorance. No onder people refer to this as a cow town.
December 2, 2008
1:40 p.m.
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006 writes:
Maybe just maybe the spilled drink on the "heterosextual" and the smart a@! remark bought him his ticket to the big house...
Take a look at this quote!
In front of us was what appeared to be a heterosexual couple attending the concert together: he was directly in front of me and she was directly in front of George. From the very start of the concert, the male seemed agitated. He turned to us frequently in the first 30 minutes of the concert and several times said ‘F%$#@ fa*&^ts!’ under his breath, but loud enough for us to hear. Early in the concert, I accidentally dripped a few drops of water from the last of my drink and he turned and screamed at me. I told him to relax, turn around and enjoy the concert.
When they got us to the common area behind the seats, they informed us that ‘The Pepsi Center would like you to leave.’ They would not tell us why. They would not tell us what we must have done to deserve this. They said that a complaint had been filed, but wouldn’t tell us who filed it or what it said. They continued to tell us to leave, then, because I was the most vocal about wanting information, they focused on me (there were about 9 of them) and told me to leave or get arrested. I held out my hands and said ‘Arrest me!’ which they promptly did. The panic in George’s eyes as they led me away will stay with me forever…I called out to him to leave and call a lawyer friend of ours and that I’d get hold of him when I could. My rights were never read to me.
December 2, 2008
1:41 p.m.
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B300 writes:
Captain; I am not a religious person, I just know right from wrong! Ron65 I don't hate anyone.
Pietro; I am not stupid, heartless, or any of the names you are calling me. But I do understand that this issue of being gay breaks the laws of nature! I feel you could be blind and see this. Sick minds... Too bad
December 2, 2008
1:49 p.m.
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cynical_one writes:
mxRider writes:
"From the looks of this guy, it's more than likely his first run in with the law & he didnt realize that cops don't F around, the officer's job was to get Schroeder out of there by the request of Pepsi Center management. Schroeder resisted, got manhandled and arrested, end of story!"
Kind of like when the police slammed that guy's head into the sidewalk for no reason. Right, end of story.
December 2, 2008
1:50 p.m.
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006 writes:
Another interesting quote!
I am convinced that the complaint filed against us was because the male of the couple in front of us had either a problem with George and I being gay (and occasionally showing basic affection) or with gay people in general.
December 2, 2008
2:01 p.m.
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Becky1 writes:
This reminds me of a concert I went to several years ago. The people behind us were singing so loudly we couldn't hear the man on the stage singing. I didn't pay that much money to hear people behind me perform. They were disruptive to the entire area where we were seated. Dancing, screaming, singing, etc. After the concert, the people on our left turned around and thanked them for ruining the concert for all of us. That man's wife went home soaked with beer. I think there may be more to this than what is being presented.
December 2, 2008
2:10 p.m.
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006 writes:
Hopefully Jerome now has his two minutes of Glory that he's been pressing for!
Feel better now?
December 2, 2008
2:10 p.m.
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kevinjjones writes:
Melodramatic gays are dominating the news, and I'm sick of it.
This is a clear effort to lobby the police to hire "political officers" to enforce the newthink on the department and to secure do-nothing jobs for unemployable gay activists.
December 2, 2008
2:11 p.m.
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LOUIE writes:
MxRider, I agree it's sounds like the man arrested played the only card he could play; and I think Becky hits it on the head as I too believe there is much more to the story. Especially at a Madonna concert where she enjoys a large gay fan base.
December 2, 2008
2:29 p.m.
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ThingFish writes:
B300 doth protest too much me thinks.
December 2, 2008
2:37 p.m.
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Diff writes:
Denver cops - heck he is lucky they didn't just shoot him - or take him outside and knock his teeth out - like they did a Jay walker this summer...
Denver PD needs an overhaul starting with the Cheif!
December 2, 2008
2:40 p.m.
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fiesty writes:
If true, I question why the arresting officers 1) refused to tell him why he was being asked to leave, and 2) tell him their names (required by law). I'd be interested in seeing what the police report of the incident says for cause.
However, from the sounds of it, I wouldn't doubt that some hater probably complained about him and his boyfriend being affectionate in public- they would claim something as simple as holding hands as "lewd behavior" solely because both parties were of the same gender. I remember a story on the news awhile back that neighbors had called police because they didn't want their children "exposed" to their homosexual neighbors giving each other a kiss goodbye.
While I do not agree with the homosexual lifestyle, and do not support gay marriage, I believe that consenting adults have the right to be happy (as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else) WITHOUT being harassed or treated differently. And the law supports that. But we will always have the intolerant and hate-filled (like B300), who discriminate and don't think anyone has a right to act in a manner that they don't agree with. Sad. If you don't like it, don't look!!
December 2, 2008
2:45 p.m.
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GladysKravitz writes:
OMG! Who doesn't go to a pop concert/rock concert and doesn't get up and dance. People do this at Neil Diamond to Rage Against the Machine...maybe not so much at Andrea Bocelli. If any proof can come of this then, Pepsi and DPD are in the wrong. This smacks of the 2 women asked to leave a Mariners baseball game because they kissed in public. To all the fuddy duddy str8 folks, get over yourselves. As long as no one is making unwanted overtures to you, mind your own beeswax! We all gotta share this planet together y'know.
December 2, 2008
2:51 p.m.
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006 writes:
The good news is that heterosextuals have a rights too!
So if their offended by the actions then they have a right to file a complaint about it... Especially after slopping drinks all over THEIR LOVED ONE and then the gay guy telling them to "deal with it". So it sounds like they "delt with it"!
I don't agree that hetero's have to accept behaviour that's truley offensive to them any more than gay's have to like the hetero's behaviour.
You gotta love the great USA!
December 2, 2008
2:57 p.m.
dano writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
December 2, 2008
3:19 p.m.
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onusone writes:
As usual were only getting part of the story.Bottom line, when the police order you to do something,right or wrong,you do it,or you will regret it. Just do as your told.
Don't look them in the eyes.
Speak only when spoken to.
Pray they just go away and count your blessings.
December 2, 2008
4:01 p.m.
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Brain writes:
Poor article due to lack of facts; we are only hearing from the "victim". It would be a little interesting to see what the outcome of the investigation is; I imagine that the "victim" isn't giving the full story. I've been asked and warned to leave events before and I left even though I didn't think I was in the wrong but knew that someone else may have had reason to ask me to leave; not a good choice to choose to be arrested, it is not pleasant and he could've still made a complaint.
December 2, 2008
4:28 p.m.
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lastdance writes:
Maybe you’re rich enough to not care but if I fork out $400 for anything, I will raise the biggest stink if I don't get what I paid for. The man has a valid complaint and the article doesn’t state (yet) that he is claiming false arrest, but I agree with Brian-He could have avoided being arrested and still made the complaint. All the nasty and disrespectful comments about gay people don't help anything and prove no point. If you’re unable to prevent gay people from pushing there “evil agenda” on you then go to a lab, find a test tube and grow a pair. Better yet-grow a brain and use it.
onusone- I wonder how many slaves said the same thing? Better yet, where would we all be today if the founding fathers had done just that. Apples and oranges, I know but they all still go into the same fruit bowl at the end of the day
December 3, 2008
7:46 a.m.
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Heidi writes:
Freda, exactly! Get to the core of this problem!
December 3, 2008
9:29 a.m.
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rip_vw32 writes:
Holy Cow... Really, another story about a gay person being persecuted? C'mon....
I have serious issues with this because:
1. I know people who have gotten kicked out of concerts for exposure, being too drunk, fighting, etc.. And I don't see their story in the paper, and yes some of them were arrested...
2. Just so that everyone is aware, the police have 24 hours to hold you in their custody, with out charges and without Miranda being read. Typically, you won't have Miranda read until you are charged.
3. It seems to me (in my opnion) that anyone with any difference wants to feel like they are special.. that because they make choices in life that cause them to be made fun of, discriminated against, or whatever, that they are suddenly entitled to be treated more "specially", better if you will, than that of the other people around them. If they are not, they point out their difference for all to see, and state that the reason they are being singled out is because of their difference. Seems dumb to me. By all means, you are allowed to be proud for you accomplishments, choices, etc.. but no one has to like you for it... If there is some jerk in the crowd, that happens to have a problem with your "lifestyle", it is his right to be as vocal as he wants to be about it... This PC stuff is for the birds. I don't care if you're gay or straight, if you're a thin skinned little whiny baby about things, I'll still think your a whiny little baby....