Arrested For Being Gay At 14 Years Old. "It Was Police Entrapment."

[@MrKashifdon]

driftwood always seems to find the most interesting people to interview :-)

[@ImFromDriftwood]

+Shaun K Thanks, Shaun! We're glad you think so.

[@leedaniels617]

+Shaun K Very true, Shaun!.

[@etrebelle9812]

The most creepy, generally....

[@rabbitfishtv]

Thank you for your contribution to our rights. You're a hero.

[@zayajazz817]

InaudibleBoom+ And you’re an idiot

[@kyronmarshall3792]

@Sydney Piper Bristow what did he say?

[@kyronmarshall3792]

@Sydney Piper Bristow oh it's ok. I don't even think I want to know now

[@misterhot9163]

Not surprised. The LAPD was notorious for illegal entrapments and overall harsh treatment of the gay community at this time. I should know I grew up in a Los Angeles suburb.

[@driverain2]

I grew up in Houston Texas during these years. One night I was in a crowded porn shop and one by one the arrested every Tom Dick and Harry in the booth section within 45 min.s of being there. I was in a loner mood that night and was turned off by all the hungry queens hovering all over the Cop Bait. When I was all alone in the booths and the lobby has a line of poor bastards heading to jail I freaked out at the scene that was going down. I felt trapped and didn't move for a long ass time. I finally left and swore that I would never put myself in that situation again. I was back the next weekend and boy was that boy good...

[@dougn2350]

He never said what year all this took place. He looks about 70. I'm guessing it was about 1965 to 1970. Things were pretty bad for gays back then... all the way up to 1990s.

[@artieche9]

That would only make him 62 to 67

[@artieche9]

So it probably took place between 1960 and 1965

[@michelleregis6181]

yes

[@vagabaassassina3461]

@@michelleregis6181 The description says it happened fifty years ago. So:1966

[@rc5chi539]

Forcing people to go through Psych evaluations and then the public emotional raping that followed , is really unimaginable ? . It takes me back to the early nineties when they were still "raiding " gay bars , 1991 0r 1992 was the last one I recall happening and having to go through in my city ?. 3 officers came in and announced " it's a raid " get your ID out , then after about 30 minutes, the bar manager or owner would pay them off , turn up the lights and tell everyone to leave ! If you didn't have ID they would take you to the police station , no matter how old you were ? Rotten Bastards !

[@curnon69]

Am I missing something here? He was 11 when his sexual experiences began taking place in bathrooms. I am assuming with adult men. He clearly seems well adjusted and does not believe he was molested. I would really like to understand more of how he processed this experience.

[@VIncentSunflowers]

+Ross As adults we know better and know the score whereas children do not. We have a responsibility to behave ourselves. As Harold explains, he didn't even have a word for what he was doing. If you can't accurately recall being 11 or don't have an 11 year old in your life to understand this point, that is the age of a child, not a young man. Pedo Catholic priests use this excuse all the time, that the 'the boy seduced me.' Perhaps the only reason Harold does not complain of being taken advantage of is because he was curious and willing, but it does not negate the responsibility of the men he encountered.

[@ross_spirou_photography]

+barrottceaver I do not agree with grown men having sex with boys, whether the boys are willing participates or not. This guy has been sexually active since a young age and not because of someone else's idea but because it is what he wanted to do. The same can not be said for other cases though for we all know what priests do and the excuses they use.

[@corneliuspatterson2647]

I think we would call that statutory rape today. Regardless if he gave his consent or not. Plus it's creepy. I

[@Sinful_Josh]

Most kids have a phase of curiosity and exploration prior to puberty when they “play doctor” or “show me yours I’ll show you mine” . This exploration is not sexually driven or based on desires and being attracted to that person. Then as kids grow a little bit older and start discovering feelings of attraction towards others, they begin to explore that new feelings of attractions at boys break off to seek relationships with girls but those that are attracted to other boys do not have that same options of learning the new feelings of attractions with others their own ages. And they are often left feeling like they are the only person like them and they while they can’t just up and ask around often without bullying or worse, they start keeping an eye out or an open ear to any mention of others like him. The boy hears comments of activity in parks of men seeking other men, they end up seeking out others like himself. This cycle will continue until because we tend to shame kids that express they are gay instead of giving them things like Gay Straight Alliance groups in schools.

[@rdgloveshouse]

How tf can you tell from this interview that being molested by grown men didnt traumatize him at all?

[@morg3726]

14. Wow that's terrifying

[@Ikgeloofhetniet]

This has invaluable historical importance. I am so glad this channel does these videos.

[@grahambaker1736]

Thank you for re-counting those sad days, as I listened to you, I realised just how much we were repressed in those times. People like you and millions of others have caused the laws to change so we can live and enjoy life without fear or discrimination. Thank you once again Harold!

[@ashsaturday2204]

I’m from North Hollywood (17 year old gay woman) and I just wanna day that, now, this is one of the best places to grow up and be gay. Thanks for paving the way for us today.

[@crabapplec5207]

What on earth that's disturbing

[@starveartist]

Love hearing stories like this. We are lucky to be treated much better today because of the work of the generations before us.

[@ryanhuntington9852]

What a story. I want to just go out to lunch with this person and learn so much about how we should treat each other. Thank you for sharing your story and for your activism. We need more Harold Koodens in the world.

[@dreadfulspiller8766]

It sucks what the cops did to him but i'm not okay about a kid having sex with adults.

[@adrianreyes1877]

you can just see the pain experience intelligence toughness & compassion in his eyes & face

[@Coffee1776]

I was going to say insanity, but OK 😐

[@agentnull5242]

How is he insane?

[@sw651]

This man is one of many that suffered the discrimination that was directed at gays. Because of these brave people we have so much more today. I'm sorry he had to go through this, but grateful for what we have now. Thank you.

[@alexandruv.3390]

A bit odd to praise someone whose story begins with him having an active sex life with complete strangers at 11. Gay or straight, it doesn't matter, not a good role model to promote, or behaviour to encourage. Even if he was enjoying it which, duh it's supposed to be if done correctly, he was still used/taken advantage of by older men who should have known better.

[@jeffincharlestonsc]

Yes we had so many role models, back then! We learned sooo much about healthy sexual relationships thru school and dating, h9w couod something like this of happened back then!/s

[@kayleemikulec2361]

@@jeffincharlestonsc the gay community didn't have that back then... Even now

[@jeffincharlestonsc]

@@kayleemikulec2361 what? Oh i see, I guess i was just part of Act Up for shits and giggles!

[@craigy4630]

kaylee mikulec incase you haven’t gathered yet, he was being sarcastic.

[@howardkerr8174]

If this had been me, my mother wouldn't have threatened to kill herself, necessarily, I think that I would have been told that I was disowned and locked out of the family home (until my family was able to move far away). I am not all that different in age from this guy. From the late 1940s to the late 1980s, being gay was very difficult.

[@bababoozonkie5431]

Thank you for sharing your story!

[@limbosvi6983]

It bothers me more that there were men out there having sex with a child. If I were the police of course I'd want to know who's molesting a kid. And those pedophiles should be arrested and sent to jail. Disgusting!

[@TigerPrawn_]

I can't believe police were allowed to do that! How awful, but thank goodness he was let off. peace x

[@spacegreycoralred]

This kind of entrapment is still happening to this day. My friend was arrested last year, he was jailed, his hearing was publicized in the news.

[@sherryboyd3480]

They still do it.... sat on a grand jury for 6 months and was shocked to hear the lengths they will go to ,to arrest someone

[@jonathanvalentine4431]

Can someone please explain to me the definition of police entrapment? I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with the term. Thank you!

[@poolejon100]

Police entrapment occurs when a law enforcer such as a police constable causes a person to commit an offence with the intention of prosecution for that offence. With regard to gay encounters, the police were frequently sent to gay cruising grounds and were not in uniform and were often selected for this task if they were 'good looking' -thus often seen as encouraging people to transgress the law!

[@jonathanvalentine4431]

Thank you for answering my question! :-)

[@Dianaemanuel]

These interviews are fascinating. I wish we could see a photo of when these men were younger - also what year did it all take place?

[@andrefleuriel6693]

I was also arrested in an entrapment. Even though many years had passed between your arrest and mine, the police used almost the exact same process. The police did lie about what I had said. The whole process was humiliating. I think that’s what the justice system likes to do with Gay men.

[@rayrothermel4861]

Great story Harold. Thanks for having become an activist. We know the police didn't hang around the heterosexual community to harass them so this was strictly a bunch of bigots and obviously entrapment. Shame on those who took part. They should be outed as bigots.

[@CalogeroSmith]

Great story, very interesting!

[@wmfmc]

My brother! In my teens I was terrified of the strong feelings felt for boys and men - you acted on them! I didn’t come out until was in my 60s. All of my life I longed for an intimate relationship with another man, and I admired and desired beautiful men and boys. My life has been hard because I chose to deny my nature by birth. Your life has been hard because you acted on your feelings and your conviction that humans have the right to live their lives honestly and openly. It would awesome to have an evening with you and a fine Scotch. Slàinte!

[@IndigoF0X]

This is probably my favourite!

[@danstruchen8120]

Mine too.

[@ross_spirou_photography]

Since marriage equality in the US, I'd like to think that all those men who years ago were arrested and now have a criminal record, had their record deleted...does anyone know??

[@elexneonabingdon]

+Ross i don't know about the US, but in the UK it only got wiped off people's criminal records in the last couple of years, even though being gay has been legal for decades

[@ross_spirou_photography]

elexneonabingdon It's the same in Australia and just recently, in NSW the police chief has given a formal apology to all who got arrested

[@massrunner]

It doesn’t. The record will always exist. And affect people’s lives for years.

[@Sinful_Josh]

In most instances no. They still have a record. Similar to Dont Ask Don’t Tell discharges I believe.

[@jamesbeck3620]

Very sad. I lost me career because of an off duty cop who wanted sex. He arrested me.

[@migueljohn2375]

Since I have been following stories on ImFromDriftwood, I have been discovering so many unsung heroes in the fight for equal rights and dignity. Harold is one such hero. The victories enjoyed today by the gay community began with men and women like Harold.

[@rockymontero1162]

Fantastic experience! Thank you!

[@bobbond6365]

Very well said.

[@donaldewert2332]

Same thing happened in MILWAUKEE!!

[@aosilva1032]

Você é um verdadeiro heroi. Graças a vocês temos hoje alguma perspectiva

[@driverain2]

My God, my fellow man.........Love is the highest gift for all of us !

[@clanbigger4]

This guy's awesome. Such a crazy life story compared to being in your 20s nowadays

[@aravindawijayaratne4192]

Hi, I have similar experiences what you mentioned the video clip, and wondering if you would like to communicate with me

[@jonmcintosh2729]

That's awful that your mother guilt tripped you like that. Stay strong. You're a good man.

[@corinebeaslebordeaux]

I am glad that you have found your way of life...

[@Scriptorsilentum]

busted at 14? at 14?!

[@egalitarian-rex]

It could have been me at 14. It wasn’t, but it could have been. Not at all surprising when compared to the behavior of many straights at 14.

[@earthworm4255]

Interesting. What year was that?

[@musicofthenight886]

+Earth Worm He mentioned it was about 50 years ago I believe.

[@earthworm4255]

So mid '60s.

[@MIKECNW]

I don't see what that has to do with anything.

[@earthworm4255]

It's called curiosity. I'm sorry you don't see what it has to do with anything.

[@downtownman7916]

its ok to be curious plus its was long time ago.

[@jonno777]

What a brave beautiful man 🙏

[@rebeccaspratling2865]

Hero. ♥️

[@shreksmistress]

I'm not ok with a kid touching a man but still i cant believe the police did that

[@aodhganmerrimac]

Sounds so familiar-only I never got caught by the police-although I was always so afraid I would be & what would happen to me.

[@calliebriggs9021]

Kept trying arrest me and kill me literally no lie

[@Mark55204]

Is this the original koncealed?

[@moreira7daniel]

Admirable!

[@emgoodluck416]

Omg 14 though 😭 I stilled played with dolls at 14 - those men who touched him were nasT - you can defo tell when someone’s 14 😭

[@meltonlamey6826]

am very sorry.

[@bubby482]

so basically a undercover straight cop? who acts gay to arrest potential gay boys?

[@calliebriggs9021]

I was harrased by police found out it was being bi sexual

[@nw5390]

I think you getting picked up by a cop at the age of 14 may have been a blessing in disguise. Being 11-14 years old and going to a park to have sex with grown men is extremely dangerous. You were a child, whether you were into it or not, it’s unacceptable.

[@downtownman7916]

was this in the 50s? or 60s?

[@poolejon100]

In this instance, it would have been the 60s however as an approach, it was used for decades.

[@cedricksamaniego9146]

I knew at the age of 11 that there were undercover police officers around so I never made the first move. I didn't get my first officer until I was 13 at a public restroom on the beach. He was in uniform as he serviced me. I didn't think of it as any different or special. But thinking about it now, I'm glad he swallowed all of the loads that I had to offer that time.

[@trevorthompson7604]

Hero

[@JoeMama-ss5sy]

that officer is a legend

[@JoeMama-ss5sy]

the officer stopped people from having to see someone grope someone in a public park

[@vogelvogeltje]

@@JoeMama-ss5sy the officer is a pedo

[@franksantore2327]

perspevtive = perspective and indeed ent= indecent. Sorry

[@anthonyaguilera9068]

Misleading title

[@Coffee1776]

If you sexually assault a police officer, that's not entrapment. It's sexuall assault. Having sex in a public restroom is also against the law. Sounds like these cops did their job. 👏

[@etrebelle9812]

What a weirdo!

[@rdgloveshouse]

He was a child.

[@dougn2350]

You're an idiot

[@etrebelle9812]

@@dougn2350 no come on, I'm sure you have something to be proud of

[@dougn2350]

@@etrebelle9812 ... I have the gift of discernment. Although in your case I didn't need to use it.

[@etrebelle9812]

@@dougn2350 wow you are also discerning! How more of an amazing person can you get, I wonder.

[@xadam2dudex]

Whoa ...14 and cruising ?

[@marty51100]

What is so outrageous in cruising at 14 ?

[@nathinamo9970]

Wish I had the guts too back then!

[@idkwhattoputhere4695]

Michel Martin that’s how you get kidnapped

[@toddbennett7157]

I used to do it!!

[@shreksmistress]

@@idkwhattoputhere4695 yes and your a kid enjoy your life i would never, i'd wait to be an adult