Christian Lifeguard Suspended Over Pride Flag Refusal
A federal court allowed a lawsuit to proceed by a Los Angeles County lifeguard who claims he was suspended for refusing on religious grounds to raise LGBTQ pride flags at beaches.
Captain Jeffrey Little, a longtime member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Lifeguard Division, alleges he faced retaliation and suspension after objecting to duties related to flying progress pride flags at county beach facilities during pride month, according to New York Post.
The controversy stems from a 2023 county policy mandating that the pride flag be displayed at all county properties throughout June in recognition of LGBTQ individuals.
Little, who describes himself as a devout Christian, maintains that participating in the flag-raising violated his sincerely held religious beliefs about marriage and human sexuality. He formally requested a religious accommodation that would allow him to avoid personally raising the pride flag or ordering subordinate lifeguards to do so.
Accommodation Approved Then Reversed
According to the lawsuit, county officials initially granted Little’s accommodation request before abruptly reversing their decision days later. The situation intensified when Little removed several pride flags from lifeguard stations under his supervision.
Los Angeles County officials claim the captain violated department regulations by removing government-issued flags without proper authorization. They insist the subsequent disciplinary action stemmed from policy violations, not religious animus.
Little ultimately received a 15-day unpaid suspension following an internal investigation.
Claims of Unequal Treatment
Little’s attorney, Paul Jonna of the Thomas More Society, argues his client believed he was operating within the accommodation the county had previously approved. Jonna also contends that certain lifeguard towers were exempt from the flag requirement because they lacked the necessary hardware under existing county flag regulations.
The lawsuit alleges Little suffered harassment and retaliation after requesting the religious exemption. Court documents further claim that Lifeguard Division Chief Fernando Boiteux told Little that his religious beliefs don’t matter, an allegation county officials dispute.
Jonna has also pointed to what he characterizes as disparate treatment, asserting that other lifeguards accused of damaging or defacing pride flags received lighter penalties or no discipline whatsoever, while Little—who followed formal procedures to request an accommodation—faced severe consequences.
Case Moves Toward Trial
Following a hearing last week, a federal judge issued a sealed ruling that partially granted and partially denied summary judgment motions from both sides, setting the stage for a trial on the merits.
Little is not challenging the county’s overall pride flag policy. Instead, he seeks a permanent religious accommodation exempting him from pride flag-related duties, removal of disciplinary records from his personnel file, and monetary damages.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department has not issued a public statement regarding the latest court developments.
With information from New York Post
