Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran published a book called Who Told You That You Were Naked? In it, he calls homosexuality “unclean,” “a sexual perversion,” “vulgar” and “inappropriate.”
Atlanta’s Mayor Kasim Reed suspended Cochran without pay and said in a statement, “I profoundly disagree with and am deeply disturbed by the sentiments expressed in the paperback regarding the LGBT community. I will not tolerate discrimination of any kind within my administration.”
The suspension lasts one month. Before returning to work, Cochran must complete sensitivity training and he’s prohibited from distributing the book on city property.
In New York, former gay porn star Jonathan West went to work for the fire department this week. Questioned about it, the department’s spokesman said the city has age and fitness requirements, but the city’s civil service law doesn’t bar candidates who have posed nude or starred in X-rated films.
“The legal department is aware of his work history,” the spokesman told the New York Daily News.
The newspaper talked to other firefighters in his new station.
“Whatever, I don’t care,” one firefighter told the reporter.
