Gay man takes bias claim to appeals court

 Brian Prowel is effeminate. He crosses his legs and swings his foot. He files his nails if one has a snag. He has a high-pitched voice.

He is also gay. He has a rainbow decal on his car and he talked about the men he was dating at work.

On Feb. 23, 2006, Mr. Prowel filed a federal lawsuit against his former employer, Wise Business Forms Inc. in Butler County, alleging sex discrimination.

He argued that he was discriminated against because he did not live up to his co-workers’ stereotypes of how a man should look and act.

U.S. District Judge Terrence F. McVerry dismissed Mr. Prowel’s claims, saying that he was discriminated against not because of his sex but because of his sexual preference — something that is not covered by federal law.

The case will be argued before the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday.

See Gay man takes bias claim to appeals court
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette