A former police officer from Gardena, CA has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city. He claims that he lost his job because he is gay and HIV+.
Metro Weekly reports Steven Prendergast worked as a lieutenant for the Gardena Police Department from 1995 to 2019. He claims that during that time he experienced discrimination and harassment by his fellow officers over his sexual orientation and medical status. He also claims that the department denied him access to the medical care of his choice because of his diagnosis.
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Prendergast also says he was wrongfully accused of inappropriate touching of two other officers while on a trip to Washington DC. He believes that allegation also was used to justify his termination from the department, though other heterosexual officers were accused of similar conduct and faced no disciplinary action.
Officials for the Gardena Police Department claim they have not yet been served with the lawsuit, and refused to comment on the matter. “It is the City’s consistent practice not to comment on lawsuits that have not been served,” the department said in a statement. “The City does however strictly enforce its equal employment guidelines, including prohibitions on workplace harassment, against and for the protection of all ranks of its employees, from entry-level positions to top-level managers. The City will respond in court at the appropriate time.”
Black Pegasus
If you work at a company (private or government) and you’re part of a marginalized group of people, you should keep a journal. Document EVERYTHING no matter how small. If you can’t support a pattern of discriminatory actions against you, your claim will be hard to substantiate in court.
Even if his lawsuit ultimately fails hopefully a message will be sent to the patriarchy of homophobes on the police force that your actions are being watched!
Chrisk
Would not surprise me at all since many police departs seem to attract the worst bigots in society.
stan2015
Well I can believe him. I was fired because I was gay.
Cam
Not too surprising.
Kangol2
I believe him. He wouldn’t be the first subjected to this kind of harassment and discrimination, though if he wins his lawsuit he might be the last, at least with the Gardena Police Department.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Geez what are they living in 1985??
I hope he prevails and wins a tremendous monetary award….
nmarkwb
And here I’m thinking we were beyond this especially with the HIV.
Me2
Not surprised. Some of the most vile, closed minded, and biased people you’ll ever meet are in law enforcement.