Firefighters Sexually Harassed by Gays

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Four San Diego firefighters have filed a request with the state Department of Fair Employment and Housing asking for permission to file a sexual harassment lawsuit against the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, saying they were forced to participate in the San Diego gay pride.

Fire Capt. John Ghiotto, Engineer Jason Hewett and firefighters Chad Allison and Alex Kane claim that along the parade route, they were subjected to offensive lewd comments such as, 'You can put out my fire,' and saw men blowing kisses at them. And as if this scary experience was not enough, they even had to endure the usual protesters who yelled at them that homosexuality was a sin.

"I was forced into a situation that would compromise what I hold true and what I believe in," Hewitt said in a statement. The firefighters also say colleagues called to tease them for participating in the event and that the fire department failed to protect them from the harassment.

Fire Chief Tracy Jarman, who is a lesbian, says she has apologized to the firefighters and that she's having the city's Equal Employment Investigative Office take a look at the situation.

This is the first incident in the 15 years San Diego's firefighters have participated in the gay pride parade.