A South Carolina town is rallying
behind its former police chief, who claims she was fired because
she's a lesbian.
Crystal Moore, a 20-year veteran and
chief for two years of the Latta police force, was fired from her
post after Mayor Earl Bullard issued her 7 reprimands on April 15.
Outside the town hall, supporters
rallied to show their support, while inside the town council
unanimously approved a vote of confidence in Moore and blocked
Bullard from hiring a new chief for 60 days.
Counselor Jared Taylor said he made a
recording of Bullard in which the mayor said he's opposed to gay
marriage, does not want his child exposed to such relationships and
called gays worse than drunks.
“I would much rather have, and I will
say this to anybody's face, somebody who drank and drank too much
taking care of my child than I had somebody whose lifestyle is
questionable around children,” Bullard
said.
“Because that ain't the damn way it's
supposed to be,” he continued. “You know, you got people out
there – I'm telling you, buddy – I don't agree with some of the
lifestyles that I see portrayed. And I don't say anything because
that is the way they want to live, but I am not going to let my child
be around.”
Bullard has refused to discuss why he
acted but told Reuters that he did not fire Moore because of her
sexual orientation.
“Absolutely not … and if you do
investigating, you will find that that is not the case, I assure
you,” he said.
The town council is also considering
whether to strip the mayor's office of some of its powers, a move
which would allow the council to reinstate Moore.