What I find odd that this decision completely ignores the First Amendment. The part about "Freedom of association" and instead, focuses on sexual harassment. It's a "Win" for the firefighters, but at what cost?? (Constitutionally speaking)
I think I understand, I have friends that belong to clubs and lodges that are restricted in their membership to only those of a certain race, religion or age.
They have the right to associate with anyone they wish and the right to refuse to associate with those they do not wish to.
Is this what you are speaking of Thor.?
Thinking this over, if the fireman were on duty they have no choice but to do as the city asks. However if they were off duty, do they give up their rights as to how they spend their free time?
Some jobs as police and firefighters are paid to be "on duty" 24/7.
Under these conditions both police and firemen are subject to being called in at any time and following orders be it marching in a gay parade or darn near anything they are told to do.----Stand on their head for an hour downtown etc.
By sexually harrased do they mean they were physically felt up, had gays poke them with their manhood, Get in their face and call them nasty names.?
Come on folks this is a freaking Gay Parade, this for a fireman is the least of their worrys.
In their job they face the Beast, rescue those in danger of smoke and fire. They are ready to watch helplessly as the Beast eats up their coworkers, perhaps family and friends.
Check it out from the other side of the coin. Perhaps the city wants its citizens to know that regardless of the firemans personal beliefes, they are ready to put their own lives on the line for any life, be it to rescue a cat, or a serial killer from the Beast.
I am really surprised that any firefighter would not just grin and bare it and later get together to have belly laughs over the pictures they must have taken in the Parade of unusual people.
Then again it could be fear that someday they may die to save these people from the Beast.
