Colorado man wins discrimination lawsuit against AT&T Broadband (11959)

A federal judge has awarded nearly $150,000 to a Denver-area man fired by AT&T Broadband for refusing to sign a diversity policy requiring him to "value" the beliefs of others, including gays.

Albert Buonanno, 47, said he is a Christian and loves all people regardless of their lifestyle. "But I cannot value homosexuality and any different religious beliefs," Buonanno said Monday after the ruling was made public. "I think AT&T should be able to expect certain behavior from people but not force their beliefs on people."

Buonanno was fired in 2001 from his $44,261-a-year job as a dispatcher and quota specialist. He sued, claiming he had been discriminated against based on his religious beliefs. The former AT&T Broadband was based in Englewood, Colo., before it was acquired in 2002 by Philadelphia-based Comcast Corp. U.S. district judge Marcia Krieger last week awarded Buonanno $146,269 from the company for lost wages, 401(k) contributions, emotional distress, and interest. She denied his request for punitive damages.

A Comcast spokeswoman declined to comment on the case.