Lesbian Fire Chief Steps Down

MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- The nation's first openly lesbian fire chief Bonnie Bleskacheck has agreed to step down in the wake of firefighter lawsuits accusing her of harassment and discrimination, AP reports.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak announced the agreement in a letter to the city's executive council in which he wrote that he no longer had confidence in Bleskachek as chief. The executive council was to discuss the agreement Tuesday, and the full City Council could consider it as early as Friday.

Bleskachek, 43, was hailed as a trailblazer when she was promoted to the top job two years ago, but her tenure has been troubled.

Three female firefighters have sued, alleging various acts of discrimination and sexual harassment. Two of the lawsuits were settled, but earlier this month, a male firefighter brought another lawsuit alleging he was denied advancement because he is male and not gay.

A city investigation is still under way. This summer, a separate investigation by the city's Department of Civil Rights into a 2003 complaint by a male firefighter, found it "likely" that the department gave preferential treatment to lesbians or those who socialized with them.