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Where there’s smoke: San Diego firefighters claim sexual harrassment following gay pride parade

Posted on August 7th, 2007 | by Billifer | gay pride, homophobia, lawsuit, pride parade, San Diego, sexual harassment

Although the San Diego Fire Department has been represented in the city’s gay pride parade for the past 15 years, it wasn’t until this year’s pride festival two weeks ago that problems between the firefighters and the community arose.

According to the San Jose Mercury News, the four firefighters assigned to the parade felt that there were be retribution if they did not participate in the parade route. Additionally, they claim that the situation caused them to endure sexual harassment from both the crowd and from other firefighters who called them during the parade.

The four firefighters, who were filling in for the crew who usually represented the San Diego Fire Department in the parade, have requested the right to sue the city from the Department of Fair Employment and Housing. Not surprisingly, the quattro are represented in part by the Thomas More Law Center, a conservative legal action group with an agenda.

Maurice Luque, SDFD spokesperson, said, “At the last minute the crew in that community was asked to step up and represent our agency in the parade. We have a responsibility and we take it seriously to participate in these parades.”

Without minimizing the seriousness of sexual harassment, I’d like to say that I’d rather drive down 6th Avenue and be called a fairy than to rush into a burning building any day. And what about the city teetering on bankruptcy? Let’s think of the greater good here.

Guys, if you’re really that sensitive about being called fags, then maybe you should do some serious soul-searching. Drop your claim against the city, laugh it off, and go on your merry way.

For another point of view—one from the other side of the looking glass—head over to the Jesus Is Lord blog.  ⌘