ACLU Chapter Wants Sexual Art Displayed as Test of City Policy : Government: Request from South Bay group challenges council decision to let religious organizations put holiday exhibits on public property.

The South Bay Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has asked the Redondo Beach City Council to allow a Tantric religious group to display an artistic rendition of a “non-orgasmic sexual union” in a city park.

The request, which was not authorized by the group’s parent organization, the ACLU of Southern California, follows the City Council’s decision last month to allow religious groups to put displays on public property.

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The council decided to make its parks available for religious expression after the newly formed American Spiritual Liberties Union, which says it is trying to “put God in public places,” asked for permission to place a life-size Nativity scene in Veterans Park during the Christmas season.

Critics, including members of the ACLU of Southern California, warned that the council’s decision would prompt other religious groups to file similar requests, which the city would be forced to approve.

To press the issue, the executive board of the ACLU’s South Bay Chapter decided to write the City Council a letter seeking permission to display artwork showing non-orgasmic sexual rituals. The artwork, they said, portrays the beliefs of some Hindu and Buddhist Tantric sects that enlightenment can be achieved through sex without orgasm.

“We wanted to make a statement about the importance of the separation of church and state, that there is more than one religion other than fundamentalist Christians,” said Robert Ciriello, president of the ACLU’s South Bay Chapter. He said the group hopes the request will force the City Council to reconsider its decision.

His group, however, did not clear the letter with the ACLU’s main Southern California office, which normally would provide legal support to back up issues that could lead to litigation.

“It was not an authorized action on behalf of the ACLU of Southern California,” said Allan Parachini, public information director of the umbrella group. “The existing procedures are that we are supposed to be involved in something like this before something is sent and released. We weren’t and that’s unfortunate, but that’s what occurred.”

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The City Council briefly discussed the South Bay chapter’s letter this week, but did not take action on it. Under newly developed city guidelines, any religious group wishing to put a display on public property must submit an application to the city’s Recreation and Community Services Department. They also must pay a refundable damage deposit of $250.

If the department rejects a request, the applicant may appeal the decision to the City Council.

For its request to be taken seriously, the ACLU’s South Bay Chapter ought to “come down, apply, put down their deposit and see if they can get their spot in the park,” City Atty. Jerry Goddard said.

But he added, “If it’s real graphic, we might have to hide it behind some bushes.”

Meanwhile, the Manhattan Beach City Council, which had also been asked to permit a Nativity scene in one of its parks over the holiday season, voted 4 to 1 last week to prohibit all religious displays on public property.