Comments on: Judge: Gay Pride firefighter appearance not illegal

By: Benutzte Feuerwehrmänner « The Gay Dissenter

Benutzte Feuerwehrmänner « The Gay Dissenter — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:19:39 +0000

[...] Die Jury jedenfalls konnte stellte sich mir 4 zu 3 Stimmen gegen Kane und Konsorten. Mangels Einstimmigkeit war der zuständige Einzelrichter zur Entscheidung berufen, und der meinte [...]

By: MarcoLux

MarcoLux — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:05:12 +0000

Gerry Fisher: You almost got it right, but then you got it all wrong. Yes, employers have a duty to protect their employees from hostile work environments… but put it in context. A once-a-year-parade out in the streets in full view of the public, and with a spatial buffer is not the same as the close quarters of a continuously hostile office environment. Regardless: there is a pubic relations part of being a firefighter, e.g. parades and open house events. Most firefighters love them. Would you protect a firefighter if he was unwillingly ordered to escort a mostly brown group of school children around the firehouse? [I can hear it now: I felt so uncomfortable; they taunted me for being a privileged white male.] Just not the same.

By: Gerry Fisher

Gerry Fisher — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:14:06 +0000

I think that the judge got it wrong in this case. Sexual harassment law clearly states that the employer is responsible for not placing employees in “an environment” in which the employee feels sexual pressure/harassment. If we’re going to support women who complain that their office mates have posted obscene material on bulletin boards in the office (and that this creates an atmosphere of intimidating, discomfort, and harassment), then, in the interest of equal rights, we need to support the same rights of men. And I say this as a gay man who’d hoot, holler, “woof!”, and whistle at firefighters going by in the parade. Men have the right not to be subjected to that, IMO, and they should be allowed to do community service in an environment in which they do not feel harassed.

I look forward to this one being over turned on appeal. If we’d fight for women to fight it in one instance and tell men to “suck it up” in the same instance, we’re being unfair and fostering inequality.

By: Ty

Ty — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:53:05 +0000

What do they mean Retrial ?? Why aren’t they throwing this out ? What a waste of taxpayers dollars !!

By: David

David — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 07:57:49 +0000

Could there be 4 bigger firefighting cry-babies on the planet? Duh, not really.

By: John

John — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 07:35:33 +0000

Certainly, San Diego isn’t the only city that requires firefighters to participate in “community events.” However, the San Diego appellate court is easily the most homophobic in the state. Which is probably why these right-wing lawyers decided to file suit in that particular jurisdiction (instead of, say, Los Angeles County). It makes it easier for them to appeal. And I’m sure that’s precisely what they’ll do.

A short trip down memory lane:

In 2003, the San Diego appellate court got rebuffed by the California Supreme Court when it tried to ban co-parent adoption. In 2005, that court voted to exempt country clubs from anti-discrimination laws (used to exclude gay and lesbian couples from joining). The justices soon put a stop to that practice as well. Last year, the same court decided that doctors have the right to refuse treating lesbians if it conflicts with their religious beliefs. Yet another decision that was overturned by the high court.

By: JohnM

JohnM — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:44:18 +0000

very informative Bud Clark, thanks. It confirms the lawsuit was really about $$$ for the firefighters, and anti-LGBT hate for the attorneys (which they will use in their fundraising letters to their bigoted and hate filled donors.

By: AlexH

AlexH — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:22:48 +0000

What a joke! If they don’t feel that LGBT people should have equal rights etc. then why force them to ride in the parade?
I think this is really about trying to make a quick buck and it fell apart.

By: jibii

jibii — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:53:09 +0000

Oh man. Talk about thin-skinned. Going to counseling because a number of people made advances at you.

Maybe all women should sue the government for being born women and having to endure the same on a far grater extent.

I agree that they shouldn’t have been forced into the parade, but like the article says, that policy has already been changed. asking for money on top of that is beyond greedy.

By: FRANL;IN LOCKETT

FRANL;IN LOCKETT — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:47:24 +0000

I HATE THAT THIS IS JUST THE NEWS AND THANK YOU NOT MAKING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ICCIDENT.