The San Francisco Police Department is once again being accused of homophobia and harassment.
In a lawsuit filed last Thursday, 28-year-old officer Brendan Mannix accuses members of the San Francisco Police Department of sexual harassment, sexual discrimination based on his sexual orientation, and retaliating against a whistle-blower.
Mannix says he was subjected to homophobic remarks by colleagues about his sexual orientation, including calling him a “queen” and “too dramatic” and making disparaging comments about his masculinity.
Related: Christopher Kohrs, AKA The Hot Cop Of Castro, Arrested For Hit-And-Run Over Holiday Weekend
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When Mannix tried reporting the behavior, he says the department made no efforts to acknowledge or stop the harassment and instead retaliated against him by not providing him backup while on patrol and giving him “unfavorable assignments at the station.”
San Francisco Chronicle reports:
The bulk of Mannix’s accusations focus on two sergeants. One suggested Mannix was in a sexual relationship with the other gay officer at the station, and when Mannix did or said something the sergeant believed was stereotypically gay, he would say “ugh, you gays!” or “God, you gays!” Organ said.
The sergeant, Organ said, would also mock Mannix’s hair style and physical appearance, making comments like, “Is that hair big enough?!” and “How much do you weigh? One hundred pounds soaking wet?”
In his lawsuit, Mannix also claims a sergeant “talked positively about how ‘back in the day,’ the police would ‘round up’ all of the ‘trannies’” who were prostitutes.
He describes the department as an “‘Old Boys’ Club’ atmosphere” where “anyone who did not fit a precise mold–broadly speaking, straight, cisgender, white and male–was targeted for mistreatment; those who complained about it were treated even worse.”
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David Stevenson, a police spokesman, would not comment on the lawsuit but he did says the department is “committed to diversity, tolerance and respect for the public and all of our members.”
“Department members are sworn to hold each other accountable and required to act swiftly to report any misconduct,” Stevenson said.
The San Francisco city attorney’s office also declined to comment on the lawsuit, instead issuing a general statement saying:
“The city of San Francisco, including the Police Department, has been a leader on LGBT rights for decades and remains committed to providing a safe and respectful work environment for all.”
Lacuevaman
where is queerty”s coverage of asia argento’s hypocrisy? and being a child molester?? huh???
GetOffMyInternets
Ummm probably because she’s heterosexual and a woman without a penis. Remember it’s only news to Graham if it’s someone he wants to sleep with.
am
And there’s the coverage of the story of that NYU lesbian professor who harassed her gay student? Or is that story not flamboyant enough?
DCguy
Hey Queerty, you have a well known anti-LGBT screename here, trying to deflect every single post off of any LGBT related topic. Are you screening or should we just go somewhere else to avoid the trolls?
kfolger
Hey GetOffMyInternets (not sure why that is even plural since there is only one internet) and am, your complaints are obviously about the editor and not the content, which by the way I have seen incredible amount of content regarding women. Although I am unclear why that is necessary anyway. Do you think any of the women’s magazines out there include stories about gay men? You are mistaken. DCGuy, not sure how you consider the word queer and its derivative Queerty anti-LGBT. If you fill out any orientation survey in San Francisco, queer is always one of the options. The word queer includes anyone under the LGBTQQI umbrella.
GetOffMyInternets
Well Kfolger I hijacked my name from a website also known as GOMI. If you feel the need to lecture about proper use, take it up with the original source because I don’t care what you think. Also I’m commenting about Graham, you’re missing my point. So go ahead and wonder aloud all you want. No need to justify crap to you.
Luicia
Follow the link: https://525sex.com This website is also great and its free with millions of members specifically for LGBTQ! I just wanted to share it with you, its the largest free website in your area for LGBTQ. https://525sex.com
The bulk of Mannix’s accusations focus on two sergeants. One suggested Mannix was in a sexual relationship with the other gay officer at the station, and when Mannix did or said something the sergeant believed was stereotypically gay, he would say “ugh, you gays!” or “God, you gays!” Organ said.
jcoberkrom
Just because and organization is “a leader on LGBT rights for decades and remains committed to providing a safe and respectful work environment for all.” Doesn’t mean it has a few bad apples!!!
Kevan1
Think about it, most bullies in High school went into law enforcement or as a guard in a prison and if they could not cut it there they became security guards. There are good cops. Sadly they can be far apart and few.
Juanjo
The SFPD has long had issues with the old boy network and its dislike for minorities, including gay and lesbian cops. This is not a surprise at all.
MacAdvisor
Let us not forget the infamous White Night when SFPD officers, with their badge numbers taped over, raided the Elephant Walk at 18th and Castro, randomly beating the customers there in retaliation for the riot at City Hall earlier that evening.
rray63
I’ve notice a tendency that the only ones that get help fit certain narratives. I’ve been begging for help for almost ten years for something that happened and continues to happen to me. So far, I’ve received zero help. Not even a reply from most LGBTQ advocates. We see GA in the news right now for trying to suppress black votes. GA has done far worse to me but not one person or group is interested. I’ve suffered emotionally, mentally and physically over the past almost ten years, is there anyone that gives a crap? The answer is, no. How can we expect help or respect from the straight community when we won’t even help each other? You folks have a great day.
masterwill7
What happend/is continuing to happen to you then?? Then tell us?
Kangol
Agreeing with @masterwill7 here, what happened to you? Have you contacted a lawyer? Your local gay rights organizations? The Human Rights Campaign? Which LGBTQ advocates did you contact and what was their response? What happened?
HairyHunkBerlin
Hey @rray63,
I am sorry to hear that you suffer since 10 years from something you haven’t specifiied. I believe you with the message that the LGBT+ Community gave you the feeling you are alone.
YOU ARE NOT. Even that the Life as a Gay Man have dramatically changed with the Internet, there are still many people who believe in our community.
Did you contact the HRC? They may have an Idea for your Problem and they have a store right at the Castro.
Other options are:
Equality California
2370 Market St.
San Francisco LGBTQ Community Center
1800 Market St.
Castro Mission Health Center
3850 17th St.
Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy
The Trevor Project
Stay strong and I cross my fingers that you find help soon.
Vince
I dunno. Calling someone a queen, too dramatic, or not masculine enough is just another day on Queerty. I think I’ll sue the next Queen I mean commentor that harasses me too!
djmcgamester
It’s one thing if it comes from your friends in a light-hearted manner. Different when it’s done as a bullying tactic. I’m all for people being less sensitive about things but I think this is legit, particularly when they change your duties because of it.
Kangol
The SF police department once again is allowing cops to discriminate against an openly gay cop? Really? Who’d ever have thought that was possible? Let’s have them headline the SF Pride parade since they love gays so much!
jdr11201
Officer Mannix needs a high powered attorney put the SFPD on trial the days of abuse towards it’s gay force are long gone. I was there in the 70’s thru early 80’s where the raids on The Castro, folsom and The Mission were all to often.
Show the neanderthals at the police department that you matter and that we (The LGBT-Q) are strong, smart and brave.
All the best to you Officer Mannix – jdr/brklyn ny 😛
Hillers
Sad, but not all that surprising. All cops have that boys’ club mentality, even the ones in SF. They may put on a front of putting in support of the community blah blah blah, but I’m sure behind closed doors, many of them have personal opinions that are quite the opposite. I’ve experienced it in person.
On a side note, I saw Brendan outside of the parking lot of Trader Joe’s a month or so ago, and my jaw dropped. He is as picture perfect as he looks here, with ice blue eyes, and double the hotness factor in his uniform. Had to gather my bearings and take my quinoa out of there post-haste so’s I didn’t implode.
Vince
I was 28 when I lived in SF. I’m 51 now. Damn. Goes by in a blink of an eye. Sorry for the not so related rambling.
Doug
This isn’t news. I know two females who went through training for the SFPD and dropped out due to the “old boys” network. A lot of people in here in SF don’t subscribe to the idea of diversity. Most cops get into the profession for power or to feel more like a “man” in the first place.
Billysees
You’ve gotta ignore petty comments like what this cop complained about. Just go about your work unfazed about the little annoyances and stuff and you’ll gain the respect you’re really seeking. Now, his future work as a policeman may be in jeapardy. And look at what he may be missing out on that I copied from the internet —
Salary. A Police Officer works 40 hours per week on different shifts and overtime may be required. San Francisco offers excellent benefits and the current starting salary is $83,018 per year. After seven years of service a Police Officer may earn up to $115,544 per year.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Why should a Gay officer have to put up with harassment that a straight one does not endure? The salaries are the same, you are condoning Gays being treated different than…
Felecia
The sad thing in this article is that the dialogue sounded exactly like a ’70’s sitcom-script that would’ve sounded just fine AND hilarious, if written for the same viewers who adored Archie Bunker back then…and having grown up during that time with adult family members who were rabid fans as well as themselves being clueless about LGBT people; I actually expected the biased ignorance of a stereotyped cop and laughed an ‘it figures’ little chuckle when this story delivered it…but I’ve been to San Francisco, and many heteros whom we met during such visits always wanted to know why the only thing people remember about their city is the bridge and ‘those queers down on the Castro’….they feel as if their hometown has been hijacked and sullied. SFPD probably has no problem buying into that blame-game either, I would think…yet when your biggest touristy thing is a cable car that’s on a box of Rice-A-Roni, I’m figuring those complaining straight folks need to quit being so lazy and FIND something to do that is more entertaining than what we ‘queers’ have to offer visitors, lol…..
jaack
I haven’t seen a police department across the US that DIDN’T target gays and lesbians for all kinds of mistreatment, mostly illegal, violating department policies and generally mean-spirited conduct. Department policies are meaning less if the top brass enforce it, if the District Attornies are willing to bring charges against police officers. The police are treated as if they came down from the mountain with Abraham and the 10 Commandments. Police are given such leeway that truly illegal conduct is ignored and the Blue Wall was created except for the gay officers treatment by their own.
da90027
Not surprised about the comments about his appearance since most cops have that 80’s porn mustache thinning hair and bellies that stick out further than their chest and most look like badly aging Frat boys with a mentality to match.
batesmotel
The biggest shock in this story is that it’s San Francisco, allegedly one of the most liberal, open, and gay friendly cities in America. Or so one assumed.
gymmuscleboy
Just to play devil’s advocate here – if the claim is true that he was an “effeminate” cop, then is it surprising that he didn’t fit in with police culture? It’s a tough job. Even female cops are hardly effeminate. Effeminacy is not a perfect match with everything, just as masculinity is not either.
Occa_Mate
I had to laugh at “Is that hair big enough?!” and “How much do you weigh? One hundred pounds soaking wet?”
Are you serious? He looks gorgeous in the photo! It’s kind of refreshing to see a gay man on this site wearing a shirt and smiling for a change.
Maybe the police need to spend less time bitching about appearances and more time thinking a job through before pulling the trigger. Be a hero for the right reason!
Bob LaBlah
Were I a police officer I don’t think I would be comfortable having him as a backup. He just isn’t the type whom harden criminals would respect and there is the problem with him. He would do well in public relations or a desk job but on the street, forget it. I wouldn’t suggest even the gay skid row area for him to patrol with another officer.
Billysees
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Why should a Gay officer have to put up with harassment that a straight one does not endure? The salaries are the same, you are condoning Gays being treated different than…
I’m not condoning Gays being treated different than… But some LGBT folks may always be on the receiving end of dumb and stupid if not meanspirited mockery and scorn. I think the best way to deal with it on a ‘personal level’ is to ignore it as long as possible and it may go away on its own. If it’s bad enough, then tell your superiors. We don’t want to have a reputation of constantly being testy and touchy all the time.
I’m sure you’ve heard the comment spoken often by Michelle Obama — When they go low, We go high —. That’s another way of saying — Be Great.