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So much for having a high school sweetheart! Kaitlyn Hunt, the 18-year-old Florida cheerleader charged in February with two counts of lewd and lascivious battery on a minor — her 15-year-old high school girlfriend— has until Friday to decide whether to accept a plea deal. Hunt was expelled from Sebastian River High School in Sebastian, Fla. and charged in February. Accepting the plea deal would prevent her serving substantial prison time, but label her as a convicted felon and require her to attend sex offender counseling.
If convicted, Hunt faces up to 15 years in prison and would have to register as a sex offender for the rest of her days.
“I’m scared of losing the rest of my life, not being able to go to college, and be around kids, and my sisters, and my family,” Hunt said to a group of reporters today.
Many people, including Hunt’s family, believe the charges wouldn’t have been filed if the couple was straight. The younger girl’s family urged the school to expel Hunt when they learned of the girls’ relationship and soon after formally pressed charges, despite the fact that their daughter said Hunt never pressured her into having sex. A Facebook page and a petition have been launched to help end the persecution prosecution of Hunt.
CBS reports the internet “hacktivist” group Anonymous is also among those who’ve expressed public indignation over Hunt’s arrest and released a statement blaming it on “intolerance.” Well, yeah, obviously, but the group, noted for hacking government websites and releasing embarrassing info about its targets, issued a statement to the press which pretty much sums up public sentiment. It reads in part:
“The truth is, Kaitlyn Hunt is a bright young girl who was involved in a consensual, same-sex relationship while both she and her partner were minors. She has a big future ahead of her and there are people, thousands of people in fact, that have no intention of allowing you to ruin it with your rotten selective enforcement.”
Photo: Facebook
Jack E. Jett
OMG….I simply can’t believe this is going to happen in the United States of Ameican in the year of 2013.
What the FUCK is wrong with Florida…
I hope some wealthy gay man or woman and seeing a lady with brains and balls who has
incredible leadership qualities.
mlbumiller
am a bit confused on the ages when the sex happened we the cheerleade 17 or 18 what the younger girl 14 or 15? Regarless, the law state under 16 your in deep kaka
Title XLVI, 800.04?Lewd or lascivious offenses committed upon or in the presence of persons less than 16 years of age
6)?LEWD OR LASCIVIOUS CONDUCT.—
(a)?A person who:
1.?Intentionally touches a person under 16 years of age in a lewd or lascivious manner; or
2.?Solicits a person under 16 years of age to commit a lewd or lascivious act
Charli Girl
How MANY str8 teens(the same frigen ages) are doing the same? Think back,some of us WAAAAY BACK,
and would have to admit,we had an older girlfriend or boyfriend…I think if they convict this young lady,THEY NEED TO DO A SWEEP ACROSS AMERICA AND CONVICT EVERYONE.
THEY WERE BOTH UNDERAGE!!!! Pahleeeze! REPUBLICANS STAY OUT OF PEOPLE’S BEDROOMS!
I could see concern if they weren’t BOTH underage….
Merv
This country is so uptight about sex, it’s ridiculous. And in this case it’s not just the Bible thumpers to blame; the soccer moms are just as bad. What lawmaker in his right mind would make a borderline age of consent violation a felony? At most, it should be a misdemeanor, and more reasonably an infraction like a parking ticket. After that, you can use a restraining order to try to make sure it doesn’t happen again. This law is massive overkill.
tardis
Holy crap. This story is freaking insane. Mlbumiler, see the logic here. Both of these people are with the same age bracket. If this is going to be an issue, perhaps the school should separate “of age” students. What a crock. Poor girl, I hope things turn out in her favor.
Mae
@mlbumiller: I have a good idea of what your question is, but not completely sure because it doesn’t seem like you were using ‘spell check’ :S
anyways, I’m not sure about Florida, but in California we have the Romeo and Juliet law, where a minor is legally allowed to claim a consensual relationship with an adult SO LONG as they are within 5 years of each other.
Charles175
The prosecuting parents deliberately waited until this girl was just over 18 in order to circumvent the State’s Romeo and Juliet law. This kind of thing and others similar to it happen allot more than people think. Using the law for the sole purpose of revenge.
2eo
The prosecuting families information is already known to those who are dealing with it.
Obviously I will say nothing as it is actual legal process, and I live in a country that rolls over to extradite people who believe in freedom and due process.
Charli Girl
This young lady going thru this is ACTUALLY THE FRIGEN CRIME!!! The parents that waited til the other was of age,are despicable animals! They don’t approve of their daughter dating another female? WHO SHIVS A GIT? They MUCH MORE prefer to have her tossed around by the boys, That just looks better in church,and the weekend Bar B Q’S now doesn’t it? They’d rather prevent her from birth control and raise babies! Ugh
Humans become aware of sexuality at this age,and ALL humans explore at this age! But bc it’s a same gender affair,IT’S A CRIME!!! I have nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews that are “exploring” and boy and girl crazy in their lives right now,and I can’t imagine one of them having to go thru this.
Has anyone started a petition on change.org?
mlbumiller
@Charli Girl: @Mae: @Charles175:
Kaitlyn was 18 when she had sex with a 14/15 year old. She has admitted that. It has nothering to do with the parents waiting until she was 18 to bring charges. She was already 18 at the time of the “crime”
THE FLOIDA LAW:
800.04?Lewd or lascivious offenses committed upon or in the presence of persons less than 16 years of age.—(1)?DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section:
(a)?“Sexual activity” means the oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another or the anal or vaginal penetration of another by any other object; however, sexual activity does not include an act done for a bona fide medical purpose.
(b)?“Consent” means intelligent, knowing, and voluntary consent, and does not include submission by coercion.
(c)?“Coercion” means the use of exploitation, bribes, threats of force, or intimidation to gain cooperation or compliance.
(d)?“Victim” means a person upon whom an offense described in this section was committed or attempted or a person who has reported a violation of this section to a law enforcement officer.
(2)?PROHIBITED DEFENSES.—Neither the victim’s lack of chastity nor the victim’s consent is a defense to the crimes proscribed by this section.
(3)?IGNORANCE OR BELIEF OF VICTIM’S AGE.—The perpetrator’s ignorance of the victim’s age, the victim’s misrepresentation of his or her age, or the perpetrator’s bona fide belief of the victim’s age cannot be raised as a defense in a prosecution under this section.
(4)?LEWD OR LASCIVIOUS BATTERY.—A person who:
(a)?Engages in sexual activity with a person 12 years of age or older but less than 16 years of age; or
(b)?Encourages, forces, or entices any person less than 16 years of age to engage in sadomasochistic abuse, sexual bestiality, prostitution, or any other act involving sexual activity
commits lewd or lascivious battery, a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(5)?LEWD OR LASCIVIOUS MOLESTATION.—
(a)?A person who intentionally touches in a lewd or lascivious manner the breasts, genitals, genital area, or buttocks, or the clothing covering them, of a person less than 16 years of age, or forces or entices a person under 16 years of age to so touch the perpetrator, commits lewd or lascivious molestation.
(b)?An offender 18 years of age or older who commits lewd or lascivious molestation against a victim less than 12 years of age commits a life felony, punishable as provided in s. 775.082(3)(a)4.
(c)1.?An offender less than 18 years of age who commits lewd or lascivious molestation against a victim less than 12 years of age; or
2.?An offender 18 years of age or older who commits lewd or lascivious molestation against a victim 12 years of age or older but less than 16 years of age
commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(d)?An offender less than 18 years of age who commits lewd or lascivious molestation against a victim 12 years of age or older but less than 16 years of age commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(6)?LEWD OR LASCIVIOUS CONDUCT.—
(a)?A person who:
1.?Intentionally touches a person under 16 years of age in a lewd or lascivious manner; or
2.?Solicits a person under 16 years of age to commit a lewd or lascivious act
commits lewd or lascivious conduct.
(b)?An offender 18 years of age or older who commits lewd or lascivious conduct commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(c)?An offender less than 18 years of age who commits lewd or lascivious conduct commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(7)?LEWD OR LASCIVIOUS EXHIBITION.—
(a)?A person who:
1.?Intentionally masturbates;
2.?Intentionally exposes the genitals in a lewd or lascivious manner; or
3.?Intentionally commits any other sexual act that does not involve actual physical or sexual contact with the victim, including, but not limited to, sadomasochistic abuse, sexual bestiality, or the simulation of any act involving sexual activity
in the presence of a victim who is less than 16 years of age, commits lewd or lascivious exhibition.
(b)?An offender 18 years of age or older who commits a lewd or lascivious exhibition commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(c)?An offender less than 18 years of age who commits a lewd or lascivious exhibition commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(8)?EXCEPTION.—A mother’s breastfeeding of her baby does not under any circumstance constitute a violation of this section.
.
viveutvivas
@mlbumiller, the legalities you quote will not win you any hearts or minds, as they have nothing to do with actual fairness or justice. No wonder the legal profession is so universally despised.
mlbumiller
@Mae: You are wrong about the CA law.
261.5. (a) Unlawful sexual intercourse is an act of sexual
intercourse accomplished with a person who is not the spouse of the
perpetrator, if the person is a minor.
For the purposes of this section, a “minor” is a person
under the age of 18 years and an “adult” is a person
who is at least 18 years of age.
(b) Any person who engages in an act of unlawful sexual
intercourse with a minor who is not more than three years
older or three years younger than the perpetrator, is
guilty of a misdemeanor.
(c) Any person who engages in an act of unlawful sexual
intercourse with a minor who is more than three years younger than
the perpetrator is guilty of either a misdemeanor or a felony, and
shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one
year, or by imprisonment in the state prison.
mlbumiller
@viveutvivas:
All i am showing is the law, NEVER SAID I AGREED WITH HOW IT WAS BEING APPLIED TO THIS CASE. BY THE WAY, I AM A HEATH CARE PROFESSIONAL NOT IN A LEGAL PROFESSION.
Nikkidane
I’m ready to leave this goddamn country.
Mr. E. Jones
@mlbumiller:
BY THE WAY, I AM A HEATH CARE PROFESSIONAL NOT IN A LEGAL PROFESSION.
So stop pretending you are, with your ridiculous cut-and-paste comments.
d4divine
@Charli Girl: A lot of 15 year- olds have relationships with 18 year-olds, but their parents don’t go to the police about it. If the parents reported it, they would be in the same position as this 18 year-old….because in the majority of states,having sex with a minor is AGAINST THE LAW. I feel bad for this girl, but I don’t understand why this case is being extolled as one of gay injustice. The girl broke the law, gay OR straight. Did the parents of the 15 year-old report the relationship to the police because it was a gay relationship, probably, but that is a discussion of acceptance not of legal injustice
.
Charlie in Charge
@mlbumiller: I think you will find that no 18 year old men went to prison last year in Florida for having 15 year old girlfriends.
balehead
Gay Sex Crimes Laws…the only equal right a homophobe really belives in…
balehead
I waiting for the book and movie now…
d4divine
Again, missing the key issue. The parents, of the minor, have to REPORT the relationship for the police to take any action. This is not a gay sex crime!!!! It is a crime to engage in sex with a minor, in this case, the minor happens to be gay.
Charles175
In the golden decade of the 1950’s relationships and marriages in the age range of a couple of years to more than a decade (or more) apart were quite common. In high school it was almost expected for the younger girl to date a more mature senior. Also the age of consent was 16, hence all the “Sweet 16” songs. Divorce was also far, far less common as well. The difference is the mindset and hearts of the people have changed. In this common sense has completely gone out the window and is replaced by hair splitting over these newer laws.
the other Greg
@Charlie in Charge: “I think you will find that no 18 year old men went to prison last year in Florida for having 15 year old girlfriends.”
I bet you’re wrong about that. Straight guys are prosecuted under statutes like these all the time.
truthteller
I am only going to say this one thing and not ever return to this thread so please don’t write nasty things to me, as I will never see them.
The prosecutors in Fl released a good amount of information about this case. If you do a search you will see the arrest affidavit on the NYTIMES web site. It details FACTS about the case from the mouths of both the victim and the adult, including that the relationship started AFTER the adult turned 18 but the minor was only 14 at the time. The adult’s birthday is in September and they began dating in November and sex started just after Christmas. WARNING: it is graphic in lesbian sex.
The minor’s parents warned the adult to say away from their child, yet she refused, several times. The sex started after that. The younger girl was even enticed to run away from home, and go to the adult’s home, where they had sex again. Both the minor and adult recount the same dates of sexual acts. This is all in a sworn statement made by the adult to the police after her arrest. When asked if she thought what she was doing was wrong, the adult stated “no”, because the child “acted so much older”.
The prosecutor also stated that sexual orientation had nothing to do with the prosecution of this case, as they prosecute 20-30 like cases each year. And he could only remember 1 or 2 of them being same gender.
My concern, in light of the boyscout ruling is that the chatter on the web is straights again calling homosexuals child lovers and wanting special rights as the laws of this nation don’t apply to them. As so many have made this into an LGBT issue, which I don’t believe it is. Rather I see this as more of a gender equality issue. The adult’s mother is not asking for the law to be changed for all, including males, she just wants her daughter off the hook. She states it will ruin her life. Where were these people when the males were being charged, convicted and forced to register as sex offenders? Males have lost college admissions and scholarships over the exact types of relationships. MTV did a TRUE LIFE: I’m a sex offender, featuring males in the exact same position. No one cared that their lives were ruined.
Questions should come into mind for many of us, like why are all the pics of the adult looking sweet and pretty? Where is her mug shot? Why is this getting so much attention? Are their other incidents with females that never get charged, as women are routinely under charged for the same crimes as men. And is this not like asking for special rights? Why is this fine when it is a lesbian but a rape when it is a hetero male? Finally, would this outrage be here if it was 2 gay males?
It is possible to support this adult and say the the law is wrong. I do believe the law is outdated, but it is the law and all of us, gay/straight/male/female need to obey the law or be prosecuted under it. Now, of course, as with most things, there is the issue of race. Many have discussed the minor parents alleged homophobia, which has never been stated by anyone except the adult’s mother, but these cases are mostly prosecuted when the adult male is black and the minor female is white. I hope they are not using this as a test case for something because this is the wrong woman to do it with.
As the adult has turned down one of the sweetest plea deals I have ever heard of in a situation like this, I wonder what the long and short term affects will be. Florida is not gay friendly and this is going to end badly for many involved. But, this is what equality looks like.
This post may not win me many hearts or minds, by I already have many real world friends. Not only is the treatment of this adult female fair and just in light of the fact that this is the exact same way we treat males and heteros, I argue that she is getting special rights by way of the watered down plea deal and so much media attention with none of it be critical.
And yes, I am an attorney.
Cam
@mlbumiller:
Before just pasting something, why not actually read it so you don’t waste everybody’s time with 3/4 of the law that don’t apply.
As for this case, Every single High School in the country has senior guys asking out freshmen or sophomore girls and you don’t see parents prosecuting. The girls were a couple when the older girl was 17, the parents apparently knew about it and didn’t do anything until she hit 18, if they REALLY thought their little girl was being damaged why didn’t they step in to end the relationship before the other girl’s 18th birthday?
DennisBTR
This is not a gay issue. As a gay man I am at a loss to understand why this case is being protrayed as one. This is a legal issue. An 18 year old having sex with a 15 year old is probably illegal in every state. Florida is no exception. Many states have a two year age difference law with a minimun age. For example, if you are over 12 and within two years of age of the person you are having sex with you are not breaking the law. I know of several cases where boys/men have been arrested and put in jail for having sex with a girl outside of the age difference that the law of that state allows. In Georgia, a famous case where the boy (who was an honor student and the person was his girlfriend for over a year)was only a few weeks out of the age difference when her parents complained to authorities. He went to jail. Regardless of sexual identification, an 18 year old should not be having sex with a 15 year old.
mlbumiller
@Cam: Again, you do not read links or research facts.
1. Kaitlyn’s birth date is 08/14/1994. They started dating 11/2012, so she was already 18 year old LEAGAL adult having sex with a 14 year old. Not smart.
2. What the hell she doesnt know the meaning of adult?
3. This is why sex education needs to be taught in school. My HS, in freshman heath class (1981, state of Wis)we instructed on the age of consent, and that when we turned 18, your partner better be 18 or we could be charged with rape! Now the age of consent is 16.
Arrest Affidavit: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/05/21/us/hunt-arrest-affidavit.html?ref=florida&_r=0.
viveutvivas
@DennisBTR, quoting that infamous case in Georgia is not going to gain you much sympathy. There was almost universal condemnation of that prosecution too. It may have been a legal prosecution but it was clearly a miscarriage of justice in the eyes of most reasonable people, as is this prosecution in Florida.
It is a patent absurdity that a 15 year old can date a 17 year old but not an 18 year old. 18 year olds have been dating 15 year olds since time immemorial, and these cases are almost always prosecuted only when the parents have some bone to pick, not on any merits.
LEEWAY
Send this adult to prison for breaking the damn law.
LEEWAY
C’mon Florida and do the right thing! Recognize your own law and prosecute!
d4divine
@viveutvivas: “winning hearts and minds” really?! @mlbumiller is just giving the facts and isn’t caught up in emotions as many are posting here. The plain truth is that an 18 year-old had relations with a minor…it doesn’t matter that she is gay. If anything, her and her parents are using the fact that she’s gay to get sympathy for the girl…she broke the law…with so many young gay people actually being treated unjustly for being gay….not breaking laws, just trying to live their lives…this article and the opinions posted seem misguided to me.
the other Greg
Wow, a lot of commenters here sure went to some WILD high schools! Really? – senior boys at your schools were routinely screwing 14 and 15 year old girls, and the girls’ parents didn’t even object, let alone complain to the authorities?
@viveutvivas: “and these cases are almost always prosecuted only when the parents have some bone to pick…”
So what? Some parents don’t want their 14 and 15 year olds to date at all (and/or fuck), never mind date an adult. That’s their prerogative. And not all kids go to Caligula High School!
@mlbumiller: “What the hell she doesnt know the meaning of adult?”
Oh, she knows the meaning of adult. She just assumed she could play the “But I’m A Girl” Get Out Of Jail Free Card, anticipating a gender double standard, and she’s shocked that it didn’t automatically work. (It may still work, though, eventually.)
The weird thing is, if this were a case of an 18 year old gay guy and a 14-to-15 year old gay guy, I bet the comments here on Queerty would be totally reversed: almost everyone would be outraged and think it was manipulative.
the other Greg
To the gay GUYS reading this – really, when you were 14, were you seriously ready to date an 18 year old? Not just fantasize about, not just have one or two “encounters” with, but… seriously date?
It seems unlikely to me that will be the consensus. But hey, I’m not sure, maybe it IS the consensus?
Will L
@d4divine: You are exactly right. There are lots of straight couples who have been in this situation and the guy winds up registering as a sex offender. Sometimes they get reversed later – especially if the couple have stayed together – but sometimes not.
Yes, it’s unfortunate, but she broke the law. If you are over 18, DO NOT TOUCH A MINOR whether you are 18 or 88. The consequences can be life-changing.
1EqualityUSA
Caligula High…good one.
darkanser
This case makes me think of the relationship between characters Brian and Justin in the American version of Queer as Folk. I was always uncomfortable with the spectacle of this young urban professional, Brian, dating Justin, a HS boy. Clearly there was an age difference greater than four years. I’d have to re-watch my DVDs to confirm that Justin was under 18 when they met but I don’t recall the issue of statutory rape or any legal action against Brian, the urban professional, ever coming up. The primary reason for this, I suspect, was Justin’s parents were so opposed on how to deal with their son’s gayness. Justin may have also turned 18 before the parents learned of the relationship.
The closest Brian had come to legal trouble, that I recall, was being accused of sexual harassment by a male colleague. Ironically, Justin used his “underage” status — he may have been pretending — as leverage to make Brian’s male colleague drop the harassment suit. I guess I need to remind myself it’s only TV.
Charli Girl
@d4divine:
They were BOTH minors when the relationship started AND were classmates in SCHOOL!!!!!!
the other Greg
I saw in Salon.com that she rejected the plea bargain. I wish her luck. The maximum penalties ARE draconian and should be changed! Nobody needs to register as a “sex offender” for life for something like this, that’s absurd.
Still, it’s an inappropriate relationship, and I’m puzzled by the reaction some people here have to it.
If this case were about two boys, everyone here would be freaking out in condemnation. The double standard is glaring.
My guess is that a lot of Queerty guys – including the editors – are so unthinkingly, condescendingly sexist that their attitude is, “oh, lesbians don’t really have sex – they just sit around with cups of yogurt and talk about their feeeeeelings!”
ohiotyful
Wow… I really can’t even begin to muster up a word for my anger…
mlbumiller
@Charli Girl: Hey, hate to be cruel, but are a f**ing that stupid that you cannot read he police report? The both made statement to the police that she was 18 and the minor was 14 when they had sex.
Arrest Affidavit: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/05/21/us/hunt-arrest-affidavit.html?ref=florida&_r=0.
Clark35
Yet again QUEERTY and the so called LGBT community make a huge issue out of nothing, and fail to focus on what’s important. The 18 year old adult should not have been having sex with someone that’s 14 and it does not matter what their seuxality or sex/gender is.
Clark35
I’m so sick of this stupid crap! She is an ADULT who was having a relationship with an underage person! She BROKE THE LAW! She knew what she was doing! Now she has to face the consequences!