EL PASO, TX - Members of El Paso City Council on Thursday told Police Chief Greg Allen they were unhappy with the Police Department's handling of an incident were two gay men were kicked out after kissing each other at a Chico's Tacos restaurant.
A group of gay men said they were told to leave by restaurant security guards. After police were called, an officer apparently told the men it was illegal for them to kiss in public citing a Texas law the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional in 2003.
Council members expressed their concerns to Police Chief Greg Allen during a budget hearing for the Police Department.
"I would hope we had better diversity training," West-Central City Rep. Susie Byrd told Allen.
Byrd and Eastridge Mid-Valley Rep. Steve Ortega said they were troubled not only by the incident itself but the response by a police spokesman that the restaurant had a right to refuse service though El Paso has an ordinance banning discrimination based on sexual orientation.
"That highly incorrect," Ortega said at the budget hearing at City Hall.
Allen responded that the officer sent to the restaurant was not very experienced. The men said two police officers, who have not been identified, went to the restaurant.
"We will be looking at (diversity issues) in roll call training," Allen said. "... The department will not tolerate any discrimination based on sexual orientation, race or anything else."
Mayor John Cook put an end to the discussion because it was not on the meetings agenda.
from The El Paso Times
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