At 4:00 am Sunday morning, February 21, Michael Fylstra of the Detroit Gay Liberation Front was busted for “accosting and soliciting” at the corner of Woodward and the Fisher Freeway. The cops mixed up the situation, however, because it was they who had accosted Michael.
“I was taking a walk late at night,” relates Michael, “when a car pulled up, and a passenger called me over. I went to the car and we started to rap.
“They asked me if I wanted a ride and I said sure. I got in. The driver asked me if I liked ‘getting it in the ass.’ I answered that I wasn’t interested and then he flashed his badge.”
Of course this is not an isolated incident. Gay men are busted daily in the Detroit area on the same charge. Most plead guilty at their arraignment because if word of what happened gets out, they will get fired from their jobs, and stand to lose many of their friends.
This can be the most anguishing moment of a gay’s life, when the American Dream collapses around him, and he sees all the forces of the system’s repressive mechanism, the cop, the prosecutor, and the judge, arrayed against him.
Oppression of gay women is more subtle, yet equally intense. Few, if any, lesbians are ever busted for gay activity.
Most don’t go out to places where they are liable to get busted, mainly because there aren’t many such places. Bars and parks where male homosexuals meet aren’t nearly as available to lesbians. They tend to be much more isolated and lonely than males, ignorant of similar thoughts and feelings of their sisters. This can be attributed to the cloistered upbringing of most women.
Why does our society look upon and treat homosexuals as less than human?
The continuation of heterosexual roles is necessary in a society that must maintain tight control over the people. Adherence to strict role definitions (males—dominant, aggressive, hard females—submissive, passive, soft) makes for easier control and direction.
Aggressive, egotistical men fit well into their traditional jobs. Passive, obedient women make good secretaries and housewives. These aggressive-passive roles are crucial determinants of heterosexuality.
The freedom to deviate from such strict role definitions is too threatening to our society, which thrives on control and manipulation. Once people have the freedom to relate to whomever they choose, in whatever way they wish, who knows how much more control they will demand over their own lives!
The repressive forces in society have traditionally caused the homosexual community to exist underground in an attempt to avoid harassment. But a new gay consciousness and unity has given them the courage to stand and oppose the system that tries to dehumanize them for expressing freedom of choice. It will not be an easy fight.
Charles Staples, the vice cop that busted Michael Fylstra, wrote on his ticket that Michael accosted him by a sexual invitation and they will probably testify to that at his trial. Ordinarily it makes no difference that this is a blatant lie by the cops to frame Michael, since the court system is merely a reflection of our repressive society. B.J. George, a professor of law at the University of Michigan, wrote an article 10 years ago that still portrays the views of the law today: “Active repression of public solicitation (cruising) is probably necessary if for no other reason than to protect the sensibilities of the public.”
The Detroit Lawyer’s Guild will represent Michael, with the defense that the “accosting and soliciting” ordinance is unconstitutional on several grounds—free speech, right to privacy, right to association and vagueness. Furthermore, Michael was clearly entrapped by the police—he did not approach them.
The case will appear in court on March 26 at 9:30 am in Traffic Court at 600 Randolph. Michael and the Gay Liberation Front ask for your support in their struggle against oppression.
If you are interested in helping, come to the next GLF meeting, 4:00 pm Sundays at 10320 Joy Road, Apt. 1, or call GLF at 923-7749.
Your help is needed!
Have you ever been subjected to entrapment or brutality at the hands of the DPD Vice Squad?
In order to aid in the defense of Michael Fylstra, recently arrested in an entrapment case and to build a pool of knowledge for the future defense of gays arrested in entrapment cases we need to hear from you.
Are you willing to testify in court regarding the practices of the Vice Squad
Are you willing to sign a deposition?
Are you willing to supply us with information? Your identity will be kept entirely confidential unless you authorize us to use it.
Write GAY LIBERATION FRONT P.O. Box 631-A
Detroit, MI 48232