Lesbian Couple Sues Alleged Arsonist

A lesbian couple in Tennessee has filed a lawsuit against the neighbor they believe burned down their house after repeatedly threatening to kill them.

The Stuttes have been together 16 years, and while they’re not legally married, they did celebrate a civil ceremony at the Unitarian Universalist church in Oklahoma City. The complaint does allege taunts made by Millsaps that specifically targeted the Stuttes’ sexual orientation. For example, a month before the fire, on Aug. 4, they allege, Millsaps, whose double wide mobile home rests about 20 feet from the gate leading to the Stuttes’ property, approached them as they stopped to close their front gate. She poked at the Stuttes, alleges the complaint, and asked them, “Do you know what is better than one dead queer? Two dead queers.” The complaint notes that she then threatened to burn their house down, laughed, and returned to her house.

The FBI has yet to classify the fire as arson and the couple's insurance company has yet to pay their claim for the destroyed house. The suit seeks over $1M for damages and for "intentional infliction of emotional distress and malicious harassment." It also seeks compensation for a $7000 insulin pump they contend the alleged arsonist intercepted from a UPS delivery.

(Tipped by JMG reader Will)