Attorney Norm Kent Calls Rentboy Raid A National Disgrace
In response to yesterday's raid of male escort service Rentboy.com's Manhattan headquarters–which saw the arrest of seven past and present employees including chief executive, Jeffrey Hurant–Florida attorney and South Florida Gay News editor Norm Kent is speaking out on what he calls a "national disgrace."
In an op-ed posted on NSFW blog Str8UpGayPorn, Kent penned a lengthy response in which he declared that their should unified national outrage.
Is that why we mobilized a federal agency to combat international terrorism? To use those ass-ets to targets boy’s ass-es? Our nation, our government, those prosecutors should be so ashamed of themselves. It is unconscionable, unbelievable, and almost surreal.
Some people want to buy couches; other people cocks. Deal with it. The matter is not for you to judge. Adult men seeking masseurs and escorts should have that unfettered right. Rentboy.com provided the Internet a vehicle wherein consenting adults made free choices.
If there is a story here, it is not about gay men seeking hookups. It is about a national security agency so misdirecting its energies, efforts, and equipment that we should all be astonished and appalled.
Six of the seven defendants made their initial appearances in Federal District Court on Tuesday and were released on bonds ranging from $50,000 to $350,000.
According to the New York Times, conviction carries a maximum penalty for each defendant of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.
Hurant’s attorney said his client was merely exercising his First Amendment rights.
“I don’t think we do anything to promote prostitution,” Mr. Hurant said yesterday upon exiting the courthouse. “I think we do good things for good people, and bring good people together.”
Vocal outrage spread like wildfire online, with many prominent LGBT figures within the adult space protesting in anger and disbelief.
As of this posting, Rentboy.com's domain has been seized and remains restricted by authorities.
