San Diego Appeals Firefighter's 'Forced Gay Pride' Jury Award
 
 

"The city 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." [SD U-T]

 
 
Fark Facebook Digg StumbleUpon Del.icio.us Reddit
Comments (8)

No. 1 · dellisonly

Finally, something about this case makes sense. Kudos to the San Diego city council

Posted: Mar 26, 2009 at 1:58 pm
No. 2 · Stephen

$34,300 for "headaches, anxiety, and other stress-related symptoms" from riding in a gay pride parade? That's excessive. I don't think they should be awarded anything, even if they did in fact experience these symptoms, which I doubt they did. I'm sure they got some lawyer to tell them they could get some money out of this by claiming they were "traumatized" by seeing scantily-clad men. Get over it. I'm glad the city is appealing the decision.

Posted: Mar 26, 2009 at 2:17 pm
No. 3 · larkin

i guess it must just be horrible for these men in the firehouse changing rooms….

Posted: Mar 26, 2009 at 2:49 pm
No. 4 · ajax

@Stephen: Perhaps the reward is for a lingering sense of sexual inadequacy :-)

Posted: Mar 26, 2009 at 2:50 pm
No. 5 · Jaroslaw

#2 Stephen – can't agree more with a post than yours. This is ridiculous. I would accept they felt "uncomfortable" possibly, but headaches & anxiety? I guess running into a burning building that may collapse at any time is stress free? Give me a double break!

Posted: Mar 26, 2009 at 4:27 pm
No. 6 · rogue dandelion

@larkin: i just keep thinking of tobias the never nude from arrested development

Posted: Mar 26, 2009 at 6:14 pm
No. 7 · kevin (not that one)

The Supreme Court ruling was flawed.

It should've been decided after they had to lipsync for their lives.

Posted: Mar 26, 2009 at 6:38 pm
No. 8 · Dave

I live in San Diego, these guys are viewed as a bunch of pansies. Ah the irony.

Posted: Mar 27, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Leave a Comment

It's easier to leave comments when you register for an account. It's quick.

Already have an account? Then log in!

By posting, you agree to our Comments Policy.

 
 
Scroll Posts
Queerty Home | Advertise | Copyright 2009 Jossip Initiatives