Gay parade case’s jury facing key question

SAN DIEGO COURTS — The sexual harassment case brought by four San Diego firefighters against the city should be in the jury’s hands Wednesday, when a dozen men and women likely will struggle to answer a central question:

Did the four firefighters, who were ordered to drive a city fire engine in the 2007 gay pride parade, encounter pervasive or severe harassment from parade spectators and participants?

Each firefighter has taken the stand, and after nearly two weeks of courtroom testimony, two theories have emerged.

City attorneys suggested that the men are homophobic and painted them as money-hungry opportunists who were uncomfortable but not victims of sexual harassment. The defense also said most of the firefighters’problems stemmed from taking their case to the news media and filing the lawsuit.

The firefighters said that not only were they victimized during the parade, they also suffered headaches, anxiety, anger and other stress-related issues because of what they heard and saw: catcalls, insults, simulated sex acts, public nudity, and men touching themselves and each other.

All four firefighters are married, and three have children. They have more than 45 years of combined experience with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

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San Diego Union Tribune, CA -