[Pietro]

the police had been called to this same house on at least four occasions during which time the perps continued to engage in sexual activity in front of these officers.

In the first place if they had any sense of humility they would have stopped in the presence of strangers (wouldn't you?).

And secondly, IMO, they wanted to be arrested for the singular purpose of opposing this law. That can be a justified action as a form of civil protest, however if that were the case then humiliation would have been the furthest thing from their minds. I rather believe they would have been quite proud, certainly their actions demonstrate this.

[Lurking Libertarian]

the police had been called to this same house on at least four occasions during which time the perps continued to engage in sexual activity in front of these officers.

Source? That wasn't in the article, or in the Lawrence opinion. If that's true, your point is well-taken.