"Pride" creates new shame in San Diego

[darrelx]

Pride is one thing... but thinking that an employer having an alternative lifestyle will excuse him or her (in this case a lesbian fire-chief) from being liable for sexual harrassment is just stupid

Comments

[badjahsensei]

“While I was sitting there waiting for the parade to start, I felt that I was forced against my will to be at the Gay Pride Parade and forced to see men in tight shorts dancing provocatively and other men kissing and hugging wearing sexually suggestive material on T-shirts with writing 'Girth and Mirth,' 'Suit Up Before You Dive In,' according to the complaint.

The horror. The horror. ;)

So firefighters are against fat guys (someone at Foxnews did bother to do a little research and find out what Girth and Mirth was, right? I know that being Foxnews, it's ultimately rhetorical, but I have to ask) and safe sex? :)

This could set an interesting precedent, though. It could mean that I could lay the claims for lawsuits where people's heterosexual lifestyle makes me feel uncomfortable. I'm all for it! :)

[jubeloh]

Don't be obtuse. The point of this whole issue was people being force to participate in something or face disciplinary action that could adversely affect their career.

Now, if you were being told to participate in a "Straight Pride" event, and refusal would adversely affect your career, then you would have a case.

[badjahsensei]

The point of this whole issue was people being force to participate in something or face disciplinary action that could adversely affect their career.

As someone working in an industry where outing myself was a chronic and perpetual job liability, I had to do just that--conform to heterosexist norms, as every day is straight pride day. Thus, a precedent here would be a small setback for the gay community, but a big gain in finally leveling the cultural playing field. If a court weighs in that enforcing sexual identity in the workplace is indeed sexual harassment, it's a huge gain in finally dismantling heterosexual privilege. Thus, a short term loss yields a huge long term gain. I'm cool with that, and I support these firefighters, as our fights are intricately locked together.

Remember, the first step to recovering from cultural privilege is acknowledging that you enjoy it in the first place.

[darrelx]

If a court weighs in that enforcing sexual identity in the workplace is indeed sexual harassment, it's a huge gain in finally dismantling heterosexual privilege.

Very well said. As long as people can logically argue the MERITS of the issue without slanting it toward their own preferences, the playing field can be levelled and fairness can emerge.

[xianjaguar]

And what if this parade was a CHRISTIAN one, and the men were forced to participate, and they felt uncomfortable, because off all the crosses people were wearing, Bibles people were carrying, and Jesus stuff?

I bet your stance would be entirely different, and you'd be OUTRAGED that the firefighters had to endure such crap. :/

The point is is that no one should be FORCED to participate in a special "Agenda" or "Propaganda" event at the risk of their job. It should be voluntary.

[badjahsensei]

Brenda, I live in the deep south. I've had Christianity--its language, mythos, and signifiers--rammed down my throat so much, I'm immune to the taste of it and hardly even notice it anymore.

And yes, I agree. No one should be forced to participate in any "agenda" or "propaganda" events at the risk of a job--including the heterosexual ones. Again, this is why I support the case in question. Again, it will make a strong precedent for breaking dominant paradigms and privilege models across the board.

[xianjaguar]

*re-reads your comment*

Blech, I misread it. I thought you were AGAINST the firefighters. Sorry 'bout that.