An extended-running authorized battle involving a veteran Los Angeles County lifeguard and the county’s LGBTQ satisfaction flag coverage is now transferring towards trial after a federal decide issued a combined ruling on competing motions from each side.
Captain Jeffrey Little, a longtime member of the Los Angeles County Fireplace Division’s Lifeguard Division, claims he confronted retaliation and non secular discrimination after objecting to duties linked to the elevating of progress satisfaction flags at county amenities throughout satisfaction month, Fox Information reported.
The dispute started after LA County adopted a 2023 coverage requiring the flag to be displayed at county properties all through June in recognition of LGBTQ individuals.
Little, who identifies as a religious Christian, argued that taking part within the flag-raising course of conflicted together with his non secular beliefs concerning marriage and sexuality.
In accordance with the lawsuit, Little requested a non secular lodging that will excuse him from personally elevating the satisfaction flag or directing subordinate workers to take action.
His lawyer says the county initially accredited the request earlier than reversing course simply days later. The case escalated after Little eliminated a number of satisfaction flags from lifeguard stations.
County officers keep he violated division guidelines and eliminated government-issued flags with out authorization, insisting disciplinary motion was tied to coverage violations quite than his religion.
Little was finally investigated and handed a 15-day unpaid suspension.
His lawyer, Paul Jonna of the Thomas Extra Society, argues the captain believed he was working below the lodging beforehand granted by the county.
Jonna additionally contends some lifeguard towers have been exempt from displaying the flags as a result of they lacked the required {hardware} below county flag rules.
The lawsuit additional alleges Little endured harassment and retaliation after requesting the lodging. Court docket filings additionally accuse Lifeguard Division Chief Fernando Boiteux of telling Little that his “non secular beliefs don’t matter,” an accusation county officers deny.
Jonna moreover claimed that different lifeguards accused of damaging or defacing Delight flags acquired lighter punishment or no self-discipline in any respect, whereas Little — who formally sought a non secular exemption by official channels — confronted a harsher response.
Following a listening to final week, a federal decide issued a sealed ruling partially granting and partially denying abstract judgment requests filed by each events, clearing the way in which for the case to proceed towards trial.
“On the finish of the day, the regulation requires favored therapy for non secular beliefs and the county’s message to him and to others like him that their non secular beliefs don’t matter clearly is unconstitutional and discriminatory,” Jonna stated.
Little isn’t in search of to dam the county’s Delight flag coverage completely. As an alternative, he’s asking the courtroom to grant a everlasting non secular lodging exempting him from participation in Delight flag duties, take away disciplinary findings from his personnel file and award damages.
The Los Angeles County Fireplace Division didn’t instantly reply to requests for touch upon the newest developments within the case.
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