Homophobic incidents have a way of biting back. Just ask Buffalo-based politico Andres Garcia, who hoped to head the city’s Buffalo Commission on Citizens’ Rights.
Garcia’s dreams were shattered, however, when a local paper uncovered Garcia’s alleged anti-gay past:
Garcia won the panel’s unanimous backing for the post, and Brown endorsed the hiring. But when The Buffalo News disclosed that Garcia was named in a 2006 complaint that accused him of repeatedly taunting a gay co-worker, other accusers stepped forward.
The complaint was filed against Kaleida Health Systems, where Garcia worked as a vice president. It accused Garcia of creating a “hostile work environment” by subjecting a gay employee to “constant” negative comments that included slurs and jokes.
The matter was settled privately, and Garcia ended his 16-year career at Kaleida eight months after the complaint was filed. Mattina insisted Garcia retired to take care of his ill mother.
In recent weeks, other accusers claimed Garcia denigrated gays, females and minorities on numerous occasions. The Pride Center and Stonewall Democrats of Western New York implored the commission to rescind Garcia’s appointment.
Garcia rescinded his application following the public shaming, but denied claims that he’s a hater.
Tim Moran
How can you call the man that got the city to add sexual orientation to it’s nondiscrimination laws “anti-gay”?
He was the target of retaliation from an anonymous disgruntled former employee who made allegations that were never proven or adjudicated.
Shame on Queerty to abuse it’s headline creation and further sully this gay ally.
Astonished
Gay Ally?
What world do you live in?
Speaker after speaker detailed his past misdeeds of hostility and work place harrassment.
That doesn’t sound much like an ally to me…
With the sheer numbers of people that came forward to discuss Garcia’s past comments about people in our community, there is no possible way that he should’ve received that appointment.
Any self respecting person would’ve removed himself from nomination prior to the public spectacle that he brought on himself.
Ally, indeed.
Tim Moran
A small handful of people from one group all speaking to unsubstantiated actions does not constitute “sheer numbers”
This man has done more for glbt rights than all those who spoke put together.
It was a retaliation by a disgruntled former employee.
Astonished
“This man has done more for glbt rights than all those who spoke put together, you say-
Like what?
And judging from the folks that were there and testified at the hearing –and knowing what REAL work they have done, your blanket statement should have some real measurable successes to be valid.
And what even if you throw out the highly suspect job action–what about the transgendered woman that spoke in the FIRST person about her treatment from this man?
He’s done and he should’ve never been nominated.
Also: A little disclosure here, Mr. Moran:
You wrote the one sided piece on Garcia for another Buffalo publication.
Even the Buffalo News was objective enough to report BOTH sides of the controversy and let readers decide for themselves.
If you are a so-called journalist, where are your ethics for not disclosing your relationship to the
story YOU were reporting? Shame on you!
Tim Moran
Shame on me?? I listed my name on here more than you have!
The hearing had a small group of speakers all repeating the same unproven allegations. It was a lynch mob. I reported the straight story and also wrote an op ed and signed it.
Get the facts before you give your uniformed knee jerk reaction.