Does the Law Allow Jurors to be Dismissed for Being Gay?

A lesbian was allegedly kicked off a jury because of her orientation, and now lawyers are arguing to a federal appeals court that it should never happen again, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The woman was bumped from the trial of a gay Nigerian who was later convicted of assaulting a guard at a jail in Los Angeles. In his defense, Daniel Osazuwa had claimed he was merely giving the guard a hug, which he says is a sign of respect where he's from, when the homophobic guard overreacted and caused a scuffle.

A public defender contends that when a judge allowed the potential juror to be bumped it was a violation of the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause, but that depends on whether it covers sexual orientation. What happens in the case could set a precedent nationwide.

Read more background on the case at the Los Angeles Times.