Firefighter describes gay pride parade ‘ordeal,’ felt ‘confused, embarrassed, used, abandoned’

Posted on September 28, 2008
Filed Under Gay News Blog

SAN DIEGO – One of the firefighters suing San Diego over their forced participation in last year’s gay pride parade in Hillcrest testified Tuesday that he suffered emotional distress from the event.

Alex Kane and three other firemen from Station 5 in Hillcrest were ordered to ride a fire engine for the three-hour parade because another fire team dropped out at the last minute. Since they filed suit, the city has made employee participation in all parades voluntary.

During questioning by his lawyer, Charles LiMandri, Kane said he saw sexually suggestive acts and heard lewd remarks directed at the firefighters during the procession.

Kane, who has worked as a firefighter for six years, testified that he became the butt of jokes at the fire station. He also said the parade experience adversely affected his family life.

“I felt confused, embarrassed, used, abandoned.”

Firefighter describes gay pride parade ordeal
San Diego Union Tribune, United States