He also faced a maximum of 13 months for the other charges, but because he is a habitual offender, he was eligible to be sentenced to a longer term. Martinez faced a maximum of five years in prison for the hate crime and arson charge.
He is the first person in the county to be convicted of a hate crime, she added.
Join Millions Of Christians In Asking Netflix To Cancel Film Depicting Jesus As Homosexual The hate crime charges were added because Martinez is suspected of criminal mischief against someone’s property because of “what it represents as far as sexual orientation,” Story County Attorney Jessica Reynolds said. Martinez told police that he lit the banner on fire with lighter fluid and a lighter, according to the Des-Moines Register. LGBTQ Flag At Ames United Church of Christ Pastor Eileen Gebbie of the Ames United Church of Christ posted a statement on the church Facebook page saying the church did not press charges against Martinez. Over 200 Ex-Gay And Ex-Lesbians Rally To Show Freedom They’ve Found In Jesus On Wednesday, Martinez was sentenced to prison on convictions of committing a hate crime, third-degree arson in violation of individual rights and reckless use of fire as a habitual offender.Īdolfo Martinez did not fight the charges, saying he committed the act “intentionally” Martinez said he removed the flag because he didn’t believe the church should support the LGBTQ community since it is a house of worship, the police report read. He then went to the Dangerous Curves Gentlemen’s Club and set the flag on fire outside the club.Ĭhristian Soccer Player Refuses To Wear Gay Pride Jersey, Withdraws From National Team Adolfo Martinez was Sentenced To 16 Years in Prison for Burning LGBT/Gay Flag In ChurchĪ man has been sentenced to about 16 years after burning an LGBTQ flag hanging from a church in Iowa.Īdolfo Martinez, 30, was found guilty of stealing an LGBT banner that was being flown at Ames United Church of Christ. Diouf identifies as bisexual and uses a fake name to protect his identity.Martinez said he removed the flag because he didn’t believe the church should support the LGBTQ community since it is a house of worship.
Jail time for burning gay flag free#
In addition to physical persecution, homosexuals in Senegal also face difficulties finding employment, said Souleyman Diouf, the president and founder of the LGBTQ rights group Free Senegal. In the weeks that followed, LBGTQ activists reported a rise in assaults. Last May, And Samm Jikko Yi, the Muslim collective, held a demonstration similar to Sunday's rally that also drew thousands of protesters. Sall later told journalists that "we're comfortable with our laws." When visiting Senegal, some Western leaders have urged local lawmakers to ease restrictions on sexual minorities.ĭuring a 2020 visit with Senegal's president Macky Sall, for example, Canada's Justin Trudeau made headlines when he raised the issue of the criminalization of homosexuality. So if they show themselves, all of Senegal will kill them."Ĭisse said he hadn't yet killed any gays, but was prepared to do so in the event he found one. "I'm not alone - all of Senegal is against this. "Westerners need to understand that this is Africa, this is Senegal, and they should keep their problems to themselves. He held a sign in Wolof that translates to: "If you catch a homosexual, kill them."