Sexual orientation discrimination lawsuit. The demands on firefighters are difficult to imagine. They put their lives on the line in a myriad of situations on a regular basis, in the interest of serving the public. So, when they suffer discrimination and harassment back at the station or during training sessions, it is especially alarming. Legal support may be the best option in such instances.
Sexual Orientation Discrimination – Attacks
When Captain Dru Snider was harassed mercilessly at a fire camp in California, he says it impacted him so severely that he considered committing suicide. Instead, he decided to fight back, and filed a complaint with the department.
A report provided by Cal Fire determined that the environment was, indeed, disruptive, and that some workers were actually physically ill as a response to the leadership there. Reporting issues and requesting intervention resulted only in shunning the victim, who was reproached for “flaunting” his homosexuality, and told “his kind” was not welcome at the camp. Ultimately, Snider filed a lawsuit against Cal Fire, alleging discrimination.
Sexual Orientation Discrimination and Sexism
In a separate case, firefighter LisaMarie Mason claims she has suffered through years of sexist remarks from her bosses and has been passed over for training opportunities that her male counterparts received simply because she is a woman. In addition to comments about women belonging in the home, and “jokes” calling her Homeplate, because everybody scores, Mason claims to have experienced physical assaults. Her grievances regarding department sexism resulted only in further harassment, so she ultimately decided a lawsuit was her only vehicle for justice.
Mason’s complaints are currently being investigated, and all parties are mum to the press. The complaint alleges a hostile environment in which sexism is rampant, along with discrimination, retaliation, and assault.
More Discrimination in San Francisco
Yet another claim of sexism involves a romantic relationship between Sam Romero, the Battalion Chief, and a female firefighter under his command. It seems the relationship was problematic for other firefighters, who claim Romero gave the woman preferential treatment and interfered with training and supervision by other senior employees. This, in turn, led to an abusive, hostile environment, putting the safety of employees at risk. As morale declined, the woman claims to have been the target of cruel attacks, such as individuals urinating in her bed.
Ultimately, eight firefighters were transferred to other stations, causing shame and an examination into their personal integrity. They responded by filing a legal suit alleging sexism, retribution, and a hostile work environment. [Read more…]