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Loading ...Firefighters testify about ‘emotional stress’ of gay pride appearance
09.25.2008 4:28pm EDT
(San Diego, California) Four San Diego firefighters suing the city for discrimination after being assigned to take part in the city’s 2007 LGBT pride parade claim they became emotionally distressed.
The lawsuit does not mention the dollar amount sought, but reports citing settlement negotiations say the four want $3 million.One of the firefighters told the court this week that he was sexually taunted by crowds on the street and has been undergoing counseling to try to cope with the aftermath of the experience.
Charles Kane testified that participating in the parade has affected his family life and that he has been ridiculed by some at his fire station.
“I felt confused, embarrassed, used, abandoned by my leadership … I had to fight through it,” he said.
During his testimony, Kane became noticeably upset and Judge Michael Anello called a recess so that Kane could compose himself.
But under cross-examination by city attorney Michael Aguirre, Kane acknowledged that the fire hall is in the largely gay Hillcrest neighborhood, and that he actually lives in the area.
Aguirre said some of the “overtly sexual” behavior at the parade that Kane complained about likely occurred on a daily basis in the area.
Kane replied that he had seen gay sexual behavior but that he could go home and close the door.
“Well, you could have closed your eyes during the parade. You could have averted your eyes,” Aguirre shot back.
In another development, Judge Anello rejected an attempt by Aguirre to question another firefighter, Capt. John Ghiotto, about Playboy magazines that were reportedly in open view at the fire station.
Aguirre wanted to show that sexual images were not uncommon to the four and that the suit was plain homophobia.
Anello ruled that the line of questioning was irrelevant.
The four firefighters claim they followed an order that they appear in the parade because they feared that if they refused, they would be suspended or punished.
In previous years, firefighters were encouraged but not ordered to take part in the parade.
The lawsuit claims that the pride parade is a political event whose purpose is to advocate for LGBT rights including “the controversial concept of gay marriage” and that the department improperly used the four to support a political cause.
A spokesperson at the time for the fire department said that the men were assigned to the parade at the last minute, because volunteer participants backed out when one of them had a family crisis, and that the four worked in a fire station near the parade route.
Attorneys for the firefighters are expected to being their summations on Monday.
If a few catcalls and inappropriate sexual suggestions are enough to rattle these “men”, and I use this term loosely only in its biological sense, then I am thankful they are not putting out fires in my neck of the woods. Maybe they should choose a less stressful career such as paper boy or work at a car wash then perhaps these wimps would be able to sleep better at night (with a Little Mermaid nightlight, of course). Or they could just grow a set and realize that this is the same exact behavior women have been enduring for centuries, behavior they have probably engaged in many times in their usual environment. Real men are not threatened by such remarks and real men don’t try to capitalize on minor discomforts with multi-million dollar lawsuits at the taxpayer’s expense. A five year old living in the ghetto has more courage and fortitude than these whiners.
Charles Kane testified that participating in the parade has affected his family life and that he has been ridiculed by some at his fire station.
“I felt confused, embarrassed, used, abandoned by my leadership … I had to fight through it,” he said.
Does ANY of this come off as a really piss poor attempt at reverse discrimination ? PLEASE !!! This pitiful confession is what gay people live and breath every second of their life at the hands of ’staight’ society, and no one gives it a second thought. In fact, GOD even condones and promotes it… along with violence up to and including murdering someone for no other reason than their being gay. You are preaching to the choir, FOOL, so assuming any of your ‘pain and suffering’ is even real, I suggest you suck it up and consider yourself lucky that your only ‘gay shame’ is from ONE gay pride parade, and a few JOKES/COMMENTS from your fellow Firefighters while at work. WELCOME TO YOUR WORLD, 24/7, 365, FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES ! You are a pitiful excuse for a MAN, Charles Kane, and apparently seriously overestimate the relevance of our falling into your pity party anytime soon. Get the Hell over yourself, already !
I don’t advocate harassment by any means, but I agree with you completely. What they endured is no different than what women have been enduring for centuries, so why are these men acting like they’ve been so tortured? If nothing else maybe they’ll think twice before they act like fools themselves.
On the one hand, the fire-fighters certainly had no business being at a gay pride parade, and should not have been required to go there. But this is a simple employment dispute matter; surely there are tribunals in the US to deal with this sort of thing?
On the other hand, if a firefighter finds catcalls and lewd comments more traumatising than – say – cutting a human corpse out of a burnt-out motor-vehicle, then there is something seriously wrong with his/her priorities. This looks like another expression of the American culture of aggressive, retributive litigation, in which an unholy alliance of attorneys and therapists offer to quantify one’s human worth with a simple dollar-value.
Boo Hoo to the firefighters. If they were “taunted” at the parade, they got a taste of what women have been going through for centuries. I know more “nancy boys” who have more spine. Get over it and deal with it.
Now I don’t agree that the firemen should have been forced to participate, but I can’t believe how wussy this fireman sounds.
Top it off that he actually lives in a predominantly gay neighborhood? I think we may have a case of “Thou dost protest to much.”
I’m curious – exactly how where these men told to participate? The article doesn’t say. Were they forced to march in the parade? I can’t imagine the city telling its employees which causes to support. Were they put on security detail along the route? Were they assigned to assist the fire marshall? If they felt they were coerced into marching in a parade with which they didn’t want to be associated, then yes, they have a valid case against the city. They felt coerced into representing something they didn’t want to represent. I’d feel the same way if my employer told me I had to march in an anti-gay Dominionist street protest. If, however, their “participation” was limited to doing their jobs as firefighters/emergency responders/public safety officers when the city needed extra personnel, then they can shut the hell up and grow some thicker skin. You signed up to be a city employee and public safety officer. Now go see to the public safety.
It appears that the number one cause of so-called, “homosexual panic” is that heterosexual men live in mortal fear of being treated by homosexual men like they (the heterosexual men) treat all women they find attractive. Indeed, heterosexual men feel that the women they objectify should not be insulted but rather should be flattered beyond belief for the attention and thank them (the heterosexual men) for compliment.
It is very strange and funny how it does not seem to work when the shoe is on the other foot. The heterosexual men should get done on their knees and thank all those homosexual men for paying them the same homage that they pay to women. Maybe now, they will treat everyone with a little dignity and courtsey – male and female, straight and gay.
As firefighters, these homophobic and money grubbing fools are just as responsible as the local police officers in securing the safety of citizens during all public events. Once the readers here factor in this realization and understanding, you’ll soon agree why the requirement to attend such “outings” (no pun intended) is totally proper and acceptable.
Where I live, several officers complained about their required participation in the Gay Pride event, only to be told to work the event or find another job.
Come on! I am a gay male and get hit on by women all the time. Although I don’t find it enticing, I still find it flattering. I know that when women hit on me, I don’t need to run to counseling for it. They should not be forced to participate, but they are just after the money.