A Los Angeles County lifeguard is suing the county, alleging religious discrimination after he was disciplined for removing Pride flags from his beach station. Jeffrey Little, a lifeguard captain with 22 years of service, claims his Christian beliefs conflict with the requirement to work under Pride flags during Pride Month.
The incident occurred last summer at Will Rogers State Beach, specifically at a section known as Ginger Rogers Beach, which is popular with the LGBTQ community. Little took down three Pride flags after his request to be exempt from the policy recognizing the LGBTQ community was denied. He argued that the policy was at odds with his religious convictions.
The County suspended Little for defying a direct order from his superior to keep the flags up. Now, with the support of the Thomas More Society, a conservative Catholic legal organization, Little has filed a lawsuit during Pride Month, accusing the county of religious discrimination. The suit names three of Little’s supervisors and the County as defendants.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department, which oversees the lifeguards, has declined to comment on the ongoing legal matter, citing policies against discussing personal legal issues.
Little’s case highlights the ongoing tensions between public policies aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion and individual claims of religious freedom. As the lawsuit proceeds, it is likely to draw significant attention from both advocates for LGBTQ rights and supporters of religious liberty.
Image by Public Co from Pixabay
