Twist in case of Christian lifeguard suspended for refusing pride flag duties

A long-running legal battle involving a veteran Los Angeles County lifeguard and the county’s LGBTQ pride flag policy is now moving toward trial after a federal judge issued a mixed ruling on competing motions from both sides.

Captain Jeffrey Little, a longtime member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Lifeguard Division, claims he faced retaliation and religious discrimination after objecting to duties connected to the raising of progress pride flags at county facilities during pride month, Fox News reported.

The dispute began after LA County adopted a 2023 policy requiring the flag to be displayed at county properties throughout June in recognition of LGBTQ people.

Little, who identifies as a devout Christian, argued that participating in the flag-raising process conflicted with his religious beliefs regarding marriage and sexuality.

According to the lawsuit, Little requested a religious accommodation that would excuse him from personally raising the pride flag or directing subordinate employees to do so.

His attorney says the county initially approved the request before reversing course just days later. The case escalated after Little removed several pride flags from lifeguard stations.

County officials maintain he violated department rules and removed government-issued flags without authorization, insisting disciplinary action was tied to policy violations rather than his faith.

Little was ultimately investigated and handed a 15-day unpaid suspension.

His attorney, Paul Jonna of the Thomas More Society, argues the captain believed he was operating under the accommodation previously granted by the county.

Jonna also contends some lifeguard towers were exempt from displaying the flags because they lacked the required hardware under county flag regulations.

The lawsuit further alleges Little endured harassment and retaliation after requesting the accommodation. Court filings also accuse Lifeguard Division Chief Fernando Boiteux of telling Little that his “religious beliefs don’t matter,” an accusation county officials deny.

Jonna additionally claimed that other lifeguards accused of damaging or defacing Pride flags received lighter punishment or no discipline at all, while Little — who formally sought a religious exemption through official channels — faced a harsher response.

Following a hearing last week, a federal judge issued a sealed ruling partially granting and partially denying summary judgment requests filed by both parties, clearing the way for the case to proceed toward trial.

“At the end of the day, the law requires favored treatment for religious beliefs and the county’s message to him and to others like him that their religious beliefs don’t matter clearly is unconstitutional and discriminatory,” Jonna said.

Little is not seeking to block the county’s Pride flag policy entirely. Instead, he is asking the court to grant a permanent religious accommodation exempting him from participation in Pride flag duties, remove disciplinary findings from his personnel file and award damages.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the latest developments in the case.

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