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Honolulu Settles Suit With Lesbian Couple Arrested for Kissing


Courtney Wilson, left, and Taylor Guerrero pose for a photo in Honolulu on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015.
Courtney Wilson, left, and Taylor Guerrero pose for a photo in Honolulu on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015.

Honolulu has agreed to pay a lesbian couple $80,000 after their arrest by a police officer who did not like seeing them kissing.

Courtney Wilson and Taylor Guerrero, Los Angeles residents, were visiting Hawaii last year when they were confronted in a supermarket by Officer Bobby Harrison.

According to the lawsuit, Harrison"observed their consensual romantic contact and, in a loud voice, ordered plaintiffs to stop and 'take it somewhere else.'"

He threatened to throw them out of the store when he saw their public display of affection a second time.

Later, all three got into a scuffle in the checkout line. The women were arrested and charged with felony assault on an officer.

Hawaii News Now says the charges were dropped after the store's surveillance videos disappeared.

The women filed a lawsuit. The $80,000 settlement must by approved by Honolulu's City Council, which is expected to vote on the settlement at its July meeting.

A city attorney said in a statement that "the tentative settlement is in the best interests of the city."

Officer Harrison retired after the lawsuit was filed.

Wilson said she and Guerrero had wanted the officer "to suffer some sort of repercussion" for his actions.

She told Hawaii News Now, however, she hopes the case inspires people to "stand up" for their civil rights and refuse to tolerate bigoted behavior.

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