One way to get out of jury duty

Over the years, we’ve thought of hundreds of ways of protesting the system which allows LGBT individuals to be second-class citizens.

We’ve thought of protesting by not paying taxes — which could land you in jail. We’ve chained ourselves to the marriage bureaus — which just winds up with cut chains and a night in jail, maybe a few photos on a gay blog or two.

We’ve even tried “Day Without a Gay” where LGBT people took the day off of work to show just how numerous we are — but in an economy like this one, we all need a paycheck, gay and straight alike.

Then, earlier this week, in a rather simple statement and wonderful declaration of his second-class citizenship, openly gay New York musical theatre actor and model, Jonathan D. Lovitz challenged one of his civic duties.

Jonathan posted on his Facebook page about his experience while being considered for jury duty:

“Had an intense day at jury duty. During voir dire we were asked who would not be impartial. I raised my hand and said ‘since I can’t get married or adopt a child in the state of New York, I can’t possibly be an impartial judge of a citizen when I am considered a second class one in the eyes of this justice system.’ You wouldn’t believe how people in the room reacted. Was I wrong for saying that?”

Lovitz was excused from jury duty, as the moment you say you cannot be impartial you will undoubtedly be excused.

So Lovitz not only got to stand up for himself as a self-respecting gay man, but he also got out of jury duty for the next few years!

I highly recommend this same action for any LGBT individual that gets called in for service.

If you want to take the chance and take part in a little civil disobedience, I’d even recommend sending in a letter along with your summons explaining your position — although this may be an arrest-risk. Your best bet is to show up and do the same thing Jonathan did.

Lovitz will soon be appearing on the Logo reality series “Set-up Squad.”

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2011/03/want-to-get-out-of-jury-duty-just-say-youre-gay/

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I do not understand his reasoning. He cannot be impartial to a heterosexual? That's unfair. If he were to say, "because I am not recognized as an equal citizen, I feel that I do not owe this civic duty to the government," then I get it. But to say you will not be impartial because of how you're classified by the government makes no sense.

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TheatreDiva, isn't that how gay men go about looking in their everyday lives?

Have to say that I agree with the commenter Jojo:

"I do not believe in this. This doesn’t help fight for LGBT rights; in fact, it’s the exact opposite. It gives the majority an excuse to treat us like second-class citizens. Don’t think of jury duty as a civil duty, think of it as a civil right. LGBTs have a right to express their views, and doing it as a juror is no exception.

Next, the government might openly ask people of their sexual orientation in order to determine the jury pool. Then where will we be? This could have a huge effect on the criminal system. (Ex. More LGBTs will becoming victims of crime and the police won’t do a damn thing about it.)

In short, if we want to be treated equally, then we should act like everyone else in regards to living up to our legal responsibilities (ie. paying taxes, jury duty). Show the government/people that we are just as capable of having marriage/adoption rights like every other responsible, law-abiding citizen."

I can't think of this article and not think of Larry David trying to get out of jury duty.

"I'm sorry counselor, there is no way I can decide this case in a fair and impartial manner considering the defendant is a negro."

To me what Lovitz said makes just as much sense as to what David said when he was trying to get out of it to.

The way to gain equality is to not say that you're above all this. But rather to say that you're able to and ready and willing to do your civic duty just like everyone else.

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To me, this sort of seems like the other side of the coin that anti-gay people used in the Prop 8 appeal when they said that a judge who was gay should have recused himself because he couldn't possibly be impartial. I don't agree with this.

When you are on jury duty, you are at the mercy of the judge. I once saw a judge "reassign" a difficult juror to civil court, which means instead of being in the jury pool for a short time, the juror would have several weeks of jury duty.

With some judges, you walk a fine line because they have a lot of room to make your life miserable.

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The story went even further. MSNBC had him on:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/41993607#41993607

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