Charles LiMandri, the west coast director of the Thomas More Law Center said the wording of the new policy may not go far enough...
From "Following Complaints, San Diego Fire Department Revises Parade Policy" posted 8/13/07 at Citizenlink.org
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department said it will no longer require on-duty crews to drive parade routes, a move that follows complaints by four firefighters who said they were harassed during a gay pride event.
The department will rely solely on firefighters who volunteer to ride engines used in parades, The Associated Press reports.
Four firefighters filed complaints with state authorities Aug. 1 seeking the right to press sexual-harassment claims against the city's fire department. The men — who were ordered by their battalion chief to participate in a parade on July 21 — said they were taunted with sexually explicit comments and gestures along the route.
Charles LiMandri, the west coast director of the Thomas More Law Center, is representing the firefighters in their legal claims against the city. He said the wording of the new policy may not go far enough.
“What happened to these dedicated public servants was inexcusable," he said recently. "The city should have known from past experience the kind of offensive activities that go on at this event. This was a clear case of sexual harassment in violation of state and federal law as well as the city’s own code of conduct.”
Related article San Diego Firefighters Forced to Participate in “Gay Pride” Parade
