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Firefighters Protest Appearance in Gay Pride Parade
PROVIDENCE, R.I.
Firefighters who were allegedly forced by the city
government to ride in a gay pride parade last year despite religious and moral
objections are threatening to sue unless officials make participation in future
parades voluntary.
Last June, members of Engine Company No. 7 rode on
an engine through downtown Providence as part of the privately-run parade. The
fire department's policy is to send personnel and equipment to public events
whenever requested to do so, provided they can be spared, according to Fire
Chief James Rattigan.
Steven Brown, executive director of the state
American Civil Liberties Union, wrote a letter to Rattigan that "[a] number of
firefighters apparently objected to this assignment, having sincere moral and
religious objections to being in such a parade." Their objections were ignored,
according to Brown.
Brown, on behalf of three of the firefighters
participating in the parade, demanded a promise from city officials that only
willing volunteers would be asked to participate in the future.
"If they're not willing to give that assurance,
then we'll have to consider litigation," Brown said later.
City Solicitor Charles Mansolillo sent a reply on
Friday, but that reply did not indicate any change in policy.
The firefighters' desire not to participate in the
parade should not be interpreted as anti-homosexual prejudice, Brown said.
"The fact that they are not supporters of gay
rights doesn't mean that they're not going to put out a fire at a gay person's
home," Brown said.
"They're professionals and they're asking to be
treated as professionals and not be forced to partake in something that has
nothing to do with their jobs."
This June will mark the 27th year the parade has
been held. Mayor Vincent Cianci Jr. will serve as its grand marshal.
"The department believes that such regular
involvement in local and community celebration adds to the whole of the
festivities and fosters a public perspective on the fire department and related
public safety issues," Mansolillo wrote in his response to Brown's letter.
"Firefighters' inclusion in the parade is generally
an important demonstration of community solidarity," Jennifer Levi of the
Boston-based Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders said.
Alexis Gorrianan, the mayor's liaison to the gay
community and president of the Rhode Island Pride Committee, which runs the
parade, did not return a call for comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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