He is suing the fire department.
Jeffrey Little, a long-time lifeguard with the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) and a devout Evangelical Christian, has taken legal action against his employer, alleging religious discrimination. The dispute arose when Little refused to raise an LGBT pride flag at his lifeguard station in Pacific Palisades, citing his religious beliefs.
Last summer, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors mandated the display of the Progress Pride flag at all county-operated facilities during June, including lifeguard stations under the LACoFD’s jurisdiction. Little, who has served the county for over two decades, declined to comply with this directive, expressing reservations based on his traditional Christian values, which oppose same-sex activity and emphasize gender immutability.
Despite initially receiving a religious accommodation allowing him to abstain from raising the flag, Little’s request was abruptly revoked. He alleges that he faced retaliation and harassment from his superiors, who insisted on his compliance with the mandate. Division Chief Fernando Boiteux purportedly disregarded Little’s religious convictions, deeming them irrelevant to his professional responsibilities.
The situation escalated when Little was reassigned from his role and reportedly received threats after his accommodation request was leaked. His legal representatives from the Thomas More Society contend that his First Amendment rights and various federal and state laws protecting religious freedom have been violated.
Little’s attorneys argue that accommodating his religious beliefs would have been feasible, suggesting alternative arrangements for flag-raising duties. They assert that the department’s actions not only infringed upon his rights but also endangered his safety and that of his family.
Paul Jonna, representing Little, views this case as pivotal in safeguarding the rights of Christians who dissent from similar directives. He underscores the need for robust legal safeguards to uphold religious freedom, emphasizing that existing laws provide for reasonable accommodations in such situations.
As the litigation unfolds, the LACoFD has refrained from commenting on the specifics of the case. Little and his legal team remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice, hopeful that their efforts will establish important precedents for religious liberties in the workplace.