Homophobic
firefighters receive threatening calls

A group of firefighters who claim they were forced into participating in the San Diego gay pride parade against their will and who allege they were sexually harassed by parade spectators now say they are receiving threats for lodging a complaint.

One of the complainants, Capt. John Ghiotto, told San Diego NBC affiliate KNSD Monday that he and the other three firefighters have received threatening phone calls since filing a formal grievance.

Ghiotto, Jason Hewett, Chad Allison, and Alex Kane were ordered to drive a fire truck through the July 21 parade against their wishes. They objected but were directed to participate to avoid disciplinary action.

A formal complaint sent August 1 to the state's Department of Fair Employment said that the department failed to protect them from becoming targets of sexual gestures and taunting and also did not act immediately to address the problem. (The Advocate)