Fairminded, you are right.  That's why the registry IS cruel and unusual punishment.  The lawyer who argued this case in court has herself received death threats. She's simply a lawyer that did the job she was paid to do and she received death threats. 
Also, anyone who would befriend, love, or support a sex offender, particularly a child molester, is viewed as human trash the same as the offender. Sex offenders' kids are bullied and ostracized by others. Where's the concern for the safety of the children?  It seems only certain kids are worthy of that concern and it certainly isn't the children of a registered offender.