Birmingham mayor Larry Langford's hoping to get off easy.

Gay group Alabama Pride filed a discrimination lawsuit against Langford this summer after Langford refused to allow city workers to hang supportive signs on city property, despite the fact that sports and other non-controversial groups can display themselves on similar structures.

Langford has also said he cannot endorse the lavender "lifestyle."

Despite his clearly discriminatory ideals, Langford's hoping a federal judge will toss out the suit…

The motion filed Friday on Langford's behalf contends the mayor did not violate the group's constitutional rights because Gay Pride festivities went on without his interference. The motion said Langford's choice not to sign the group's proclamation was not an attempt to regulate speech, but part of his mayoral discretion.

David Gespass, a plaintiff attorney, said in an e-mail response that Langford's motion to dismiss "misconstrues our complaint, using the time-tested method of setting up a straw person and then knocking it down."

Langford's motion said while Langford did not issue a proclamation for Gay Pride Week, the Birmingham City Council passed a resolution endorsing not only the parade, but the entire week of activities.
…
Langford's filing said the group also was able to hang its banners as it had in the past.

Langford claims everything went on as it has in the past, but gay groups insist his prohibition on city workers was something new – and something wrong.