Big decision for fire chief axed for saying gay sex ‘unnatural’

Cochran alleges that Mayor Muhammad Kasim Reed unjustly firing him because of his religious beliefs.

 

Cochran authored a Christian devotional book for men that included a chapter on sexuality in which he was critical of homosexuality, describing it as unnatural and unbiblical. He wrote the book, “Who Told You That You Are Naked,” on his personal time.

 

As reported by WND in October, the city’s attorneys asked the court to toss out the lawsuit, but that motion has now been denied.

 

The lawsuit will proceed on Cochran’s primary claims of retaliation, discrimination based on his viewpoint, and the violation of his constitutionally protected freedoms of religion, association, and due process. The due-process claim involves his allegation that the city fired him without following its own procedures.

 

In oral arguments in October, attorneys with Alliance Defending Freedom, which is representing Cochran, argued that the city’s own arguments confirmed Cochran’s claim that the city fired him for holding and expressing religious beliefs city officials didn’t like.

 

“A religious or ideological test cannot be used to fire a public servant, but the city did exactly that, as the evidence and facts of this case clearly demonstrate,” said ADF Senior Counsel Kevin Theriot, who argued before the court.

 

“We look forward to proceeding with this case because of the injustice against Chief Cochran, one of the most accomplished fire chiefs in the nation, but also because the city’s actions place every city employee in jeopardy who may hold to a belief that city officials don’t like,” Theriot said.

 

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