US town 'bans homosexuality' as rule breakers face five-year punishment
gay. Murfreesboro, in Tennessee, passed an ordinance in June banning "indecent behaviour."This includes "indecent exposure, public indecency, lewd behaviour, nudity or sexual conduct", according to The Mirror.
However, a section in the ordinance states that homosexuality constitutes sexual conduct, meaning gay couples cannot show affection for each other in public.Those found in breach of the law will not be allowed to host public events or sell goods and services at them for two years.
If broken in front of a minor, the ban will be five years.Despite facing an ACLU-supported challenge, which has been set in motion, city officials have already ratified the measure.It comes after a Rutherford County committee discussed banning all books that violate the ordinance, sparking backlash among the public.A local activist attended the meeting and said: "When have the people who ban books ever been the good guys?”After the rule was brought in, four books - "Flamer, Let's Talk About It", Queerfully and Wonderfully Made", and "This book is Gay" - were all removed.
The committee also brought in a new library card system that categorises books into age groups.This will come into force next year, with children and teens only allowed to take out books in the group they fall into, unless given parental permission.The new regulations regarding books has worried library director Rita Shacklett who in August voiced concerns about children having access to books they need for class.
