Gay Pride Parade “Flames” too Much for San Diego Firefighters
Posted on 26 March 2009 by Shout Melissa
Apparently being forced to ride in the 2007 Gay Pride Parade in San Diego resulted in such anxiety that a group of firefighters has sued the City of San Diego for Sexual Harrassment. Last month a jury awarded them $34,000 (to be split four ways) for pain and suffering .
The city (San Diego) is appealing a jury’s decision to award $34,300 to four firefighters who sued the city for sexual harassment after they were ordered to ride a fire engine in the 2007 gay pride parade.
The City Council voted 7-0 in a closed session Monday to appeal. Councilman Tony Young was absent. The vote wasn’t made public until yesterday.
A Superior Court jury deliberated for 2½ days last month and found that some parade participants and spectators sexually harassed the firefighters.
The $34,300 was to be shared among the firefighters: John Ghiotto, Jason Hewitt, Alex Kane and Chad Allison.
They said they were subjected to catcalls and saw barely clothed men simulate sex acts. They said the experience left them with headaches, anxiety, and other stress-related symptoms.
City attorneys attacked the firefighters’ credibility and said the four were never touched or threatened during the parade. –C.G. (As printed in the San Diego Union Tribune)
Tags | Flamin
