Latta, SC, may not be the first place you’d expect to find a lesbian police chief, but as a 20-year veteran of the town police force, Crystal Moore has earned the respect of the local citizenry.
Except the mayor.
Earl Bullard issued an unprecedented seven reprimands in a single day against Moore, who had never previously received any. Among them: “Contacting news media to help bring about disorder and disruption to the town of Latta.”
Then Bullard fired Moore.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
An audio tape that emerged after the firing suggests that homophobia may have been the motivating factor in the dismissal. In the tape, Bullard is heard saying that he’d prefer an alcoholic to someone who is gay.
“I would much rather have.. and I will say this to anybody’s face… somebody who drank and drank too much taking care of my child than I had somebody whose lifestyle is questionable around children.
Because that ain’t the damn way it’s supposed to be. You know.. you got people out there — I’m telling you buddy — I don’t agree with some of the lifestyles that I see portrayed and I don’t say anything because that is the way they want to live, but I am not going to let my child be around. ”
I’m not going to let 2 women stand up there and hold hands and let my child be aware of it. And I’m not going to see them do it with 2 men neither.”
Bullard also probably didn’t much care for Moore because she determined that the mayor hadn’t conducted a proper background check on one of his appointees, who had been found driving a town vehicle with a suspended license.
Now its Bullard who is in hot water. About 100 residents turned up at a town council meeting to protest Moore’s firing. Bullard refused to allow any of them to discuss the firing, saying it wasn’t on the council agenda.
Meanwhile, Moore says she hasn’t given up. “I’m going to fight for my job,” Moore said. “I haven’t ever done anything but uphold the law and the policies of the town of Latta. I’ve tried to live a quiet life and do what’s right.”
Photo credit: Crystal Moore’s Facebook page
SteveDenver
What sucks is that firing someone for being homosexual is perfectly legal in South Carolina… and in a total of 29 states.
DickieJohnson
Clearly, Mayor Bullard is an ignorant, homophobic douche, and I hope, and believe, Chief Moore will get her job back, what with having a previously untarnished record of service. I do hope Queerty keeps abreast of this story, and informs its public. If the Chief were a queen, everyone here would be jumping up & down, & screaming about bigotry & injustice to gays!
Billy Budd
This cannot be allowed to happen.
nsomniac
Sounds like the days of Earl Bullard are numbered and short when she has the town going to defend her. More than likely he will get what he deserves with his own termination because of his ignorance.
jckfmsincty
Boycott South Carolina. I had just planned a vacation there.
niles
Hope she gets her job back, but she is one scary looking lesbian. Yikes.
GeriHew
@niles: Here’s the photo Queerty should’ve used
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/04/18/article-0-1D2BDC5700000578-861_306x423.jpg
BrianZ
This is a damned shame. I wish I could say “I can’t believe this has happened” but I encounter these mouth-breathing bigots frequently around here. And you can be sure this a$$hole is going to fall back on his religious beliefs for cover.
I hope that Crystal rakes his butt over the coals and gets her job back in the process. It was heartening to read that residents and council members stood up for her and spoke out. I hope it makes a difference.
hyhybt
She should run for mayor against him… if he doesn’t wind up forced out before then.