ATL Anti-Gay Fire Chief Files Suit over Firing

Kelvin Cochran, the former Atlanta Fire Chief dismissed from his post for distributing anti-gay literature on the job, has filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

In the complaint, he alleges that he was fired unfairly for his “held religious convictions.” 

Cochran, a devout Baptist, referred to homosexuality as a “sexual perversion” morally equivalent to “pederasty” and “bestiality” in his self-published book “Who Told You That You Were Naked?”  He distributed the book at work and, after a month long suspension, he was terminated on January 6  by Mayor Kasim Reed.

“Americans are guaranteed the freedom to live without fear of losing their jobs because of their beliefs and thoughts. We are continuing to evaluate all available legal options to vindicate Chief Cochran after his unjust termination,” said Kelvin Cochran's attorney Jonathan Crumley.

© AP Photo / David Goldman

The city contended that the influence of his religious beliefs was reflecting in his work, and gave him the option to resign. 

Jonathan Crumly, Cochran’s attorney, filed Cochran’s complaint with the EEOC on Wednesday. 

Religious groups like the Alliance for Defending Freedom have shown their support for Cochran, who claims he was fired for his religious beliefs.

© AP Photo / David Goldman

“Americans are guaranteed the freedom to live without fear of losing their jobs because of their beliefs and thoughts. We are continuing to evaluate all available legal options to vindicate Chief Cochran after his unjust termination,” said Crumley. 

The EEOC regulates allegations of discrimination to ascertain if a complaint will be brought before a federal court.

Mayor Reed argues that he did not fire Cochran over his religious beliefs, but rather for not obeying the rules, which included obtaining clearance to write a book (which Cochran contends in his official complaint that he did,) or remaining quiet about it when he became the subject of a city investigation.

Cochran’s case has garnered the attention of national religious groups, like the Alliance for Defending Freedom, with which his attorney is affiliated, which have flocked to his defense.