San Diego City Sued by Four Firefighters for Gay Parade Harassment

September 15, 2008

San Diego, CA - The city government is being sued by four firefighters for damages because they were purportedly sexually harassed when they involuntarily participated in the 2007 gay parade.

John Ghiotto, Chad Alison, Jason Hewitt, and Alexander Kane claimed that they were ordered to drive their truck in the three-hour parade wherein they were subjected to lewd remarks.

In addition, the four said that they were ordered to join the parade even though there are firefighters in previous parades who were also subjected to sexually suggestive comments as well as catcalls of the parade watchers.

The firefighter’s attorney Charles LiMandi said that the compulsory participation order was part of Fire Chief Tracy Jarman’s policy.

Meanwhile, the city and Fire-Rescue Department representative City Atty. Michael Aguirre said that firefighters are “required to serve the community without discrimination as to sexual orientation.”