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Posted: Saturday, September 3rd, 2005 5:44 AM HST

Lawsuit alleges gay bashing at state youth prison

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) _ A lawsuit alleges that guards and an administrator at the state's youth prison abused and harassed three youths because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii filed the lawsuit in federal court yesterday alleging the civil rights of the one transgender and two gay and lesbian teenage inmates. The lawsuit alleges that officials knew of the abuse at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility in Kailua but did nothing to stop it. A-C-L-U legal director Lois Perrin says the three youths -- identified only by their initials -- contacted her separately starting in March. The lawsuit names the youth prison administrator and the directors of the state Office of Youth Services and Department of Human Services. The state officials declined to comment until they review the case. It follows a critical report released by the Justice Department last month that said poorly trained and unsupervised guards at the youth prison abused, exploited and used excessive force against the teenage inmates. (Copyright 2005 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)