'Mr. Heterosexual 2006' organizer sues city

A Massachusetts pastor who organized a pro-family event called "Mr. Heterosexual 2006 – A Celebration of God's Design" is suing the city of Worcester for requiring him to pay for the cost of police protection – $6,200 – based on the city's assumption protesters would show up.

Tom Crouse's event took place at the renowned Mechanic's Hall theater in Worcester without incident Saturday, but city officials had demanded prior to the event that he pay for security.

Mayor Tim Murray, the city's Human Rights Commission and the City Manager's Task Force released statements denouncing the event as "hateful" and "intolerant."

Crouse is represented in the federal civil rights lawsuit by the Arizona-based public interest group Alliance Defense Fund.

"City government officials cannot charge a fee for free speech to take place in a private venue," said ADF Senior Counsel Gary McCaleb. "Unfortunately, the city officials in Worcester are doing just that by forcing our client to pay thousands of dollars in security costs based on little more than fear that someone might protest."

McCaleb asserted the silencing of speech based on negative reactions "is an unlawful 'heckler's veto,' a form of censorship prohibited by the First Amendment."

"The possibility that someone might protest does not give city officials the right to slap a fee on the speaker, essentially punishing him for other people's reactions," he said.

Crouse says his event is a response to a "Mr. Gay 2005" competition in San Diego. At a press conference, he insisted the event was not "gay-bashing or hate filled."

The pastor hosts a weekly radio show, "Engaging Your World," on a Worcester station.

He has a section of his website devoted to "Mr. Hetero," which sells related merchandise.

Crouse has been active in efforts to repeal Massachusetts' same-sex marriage law. On the website of his church, Holland Congregational Church, he said he's "thoroughly convinced if the people of Massachusetts get to vote they, like those from every other state, will vote for marriage to be defined as one man one woman."

"The pro-gay movement is scared to death of the people being allowed to vote because they also know they do not have a hope if it goes to the people," he said. "They know that what an activist judicial branch created, the legalization of gay marriage, the people will overturn."

The bio on his site says, "In his 43 years, Tom has led a rock band, wrestled professionally, been a VP of marketing for a private payphone business conducting weekly seminars, owned his own business, and sold everything from lawn care to kitchen cabinets to industrial painting equipment."

Crouse says he lived a wild, rebellious life until becoming a Christian in 1984.

"I tell kids whatever you do – sex, drugs, drinking – it won't be enough," he said. "Whatever it is it won't satisfy you. There will be that emptiness that only Jesus Christ can fill. I know. I've been down all those other roads."