Jeffrey Little Heads to Trial Over 15-Day Suspension in LA County Pride Flag Dispute
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 25
Jeffrey Little Heads to Trial Over 15-Day Suspension in LA County Pride Flag Dispute
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 25
A federal judge’s sealed ruling partly denied Los Angeles County’s summary-judgment bid, pushing Captain Jeffrey Little’s lawsuit toward trial over discipline tied to Pride flag duties.
Little, a 20-year lifeguard captain, says the county granted his religious accommodation request and revoked it two days later, then suspended him 15 days without pay after he removed several Progress Pride flags.
Los Angeles County argues he was disciplined for unauthorized removal of government-issued flags and other policy violations, not for his Christian beliefs; Little’s suit alleges retaliation, harassment and discrimination.
Little is seeking a permanent exemption from personally raising the flag or directing subordinates to do so, plus damages and removal of the disciplinary findings from his personnel file.
The case stems from a 2023 county policy requiring the Progress Pride flag at county facilities during June, setting up a broader clash between workplace religious accommodation and LGBTQ observance rules.
Was a lifeguard suspended for his Christian faith or for the unauthorized removal of government property?
When a Pride flag mandate meets religious objection, can a recent Supreme Court ruling decide the victor?