San Francisco: Gay rights campaigner pleads not guilty over paedophilia charges
Veteran San Francisco gay rights campaigner Larry Brinkin is pleading not guilty to six counts of possessing and distributing images of child abuse.
He was first arrested on similar allegations during the summer, but later released after prosecutors did not file charges.
Further investigations by police resulted in a warrant being issued for Brinkin’s arrest last Thursday morning.
As a compliance officer and manager in San Francisco’s Human Rights Commission’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender & HIV Division, Brinkin was responsible for enforcing anti-discrimination laws and handling discrimination complaints.
He was a key figure behind San Francisco’s Equal Benefits Ordinance, which became a national model for workplace equality for LGBT citizens.
San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors declared the week of Feb. 1, 2010 as “Larry Brinkin Week” when he retired from his position.
Brinkin appeared in San Francisco Superior Court yesterday and is now out of custody after posting $240,000 (£147,600) bail.
