Policeman awarded $20 million for facing sexual discrimination

A St. Louis County police sergeant who faced discrimination because of his sexuality has been awarded nearly $20 million as compensation from the jury on October 27. According to the reports, the jury's verdict of a lawsuit filed in 2017 by Sergeant Keith Wildhaber testified that he was told to 'tone down his gayness' in order to secure promotion to lieutenant. The lawsuit also had details of an incident that took place in 2014 during which he talked to the St. Louis County Board of Police Commissioners about his promotion. 

Read - Taiwan Celebrates Its First Pride After Legalizing Gay Marriages

Discrimination against Wildhaber

Wildhaber who was denied promotion for 23 times filed a complaint against the St. Louis County Police Department with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He was also transferred from the Affton precinct against his will one reportedly one of the board members, John Saracino allegedly told Wildhaber that the command staff had an issue with his sexuality. Saracino further said that in order to wear the white shirt, which means to get promoted to Lieutenant, he has to tone down his gayness. After the suit went on a trial last week, multiple officers along with Chief John Belmar stood in support of Wildhaber. 

Read - 'Gay Gene' Theory Finally & Utterly Dismissed By Massive DNA Analysis

The compensation received by Sergeant

The jury also awarded Wildhaber $1.9 million in actual damages and $10 million in punitive damages caused by the department on the discrimination claim. Furthermore, an additional $999,000 in actual damages and $7 million in punitive damages for the claim of retaliation. The veteran cop was also called 'fruity' in private conversations of the police department and was also explained to a colleague's girlfriend that Wildhaber 'is way too out there with his gayness'. Russ Riggan, Wildhaber's lawyer also said that the county should be 'ashamed' because their community 'deserves better'. The jury took nearly three hours to give a verdict on the favour of the Sergeant in order to send a message against discrimination, that it costs a 'big price'. 

Read - Let's Talk About Gay Penguins: Munich Zoo Joins Pride Week

Read - India's First Openly Gay Prince Celebrating World Pride In New York

(With AP inputs)