Austin Fire Chaplain Sues After Getting Fired Over Trans Athletes Blog Post
is now suing the city of Austin, Texas.The Rev. Andrew Fox, 54, who was a volunteer fire department chaplain from 2013 to 2021, accuses the city of violating his free speech and religious rights over a comment on his blog.
He is seeking reinstatement, damages and legal fees as well as a promise from Austin not to take actions against private citizens expressing "constitutionally protected messages" related to concerns over gender-identity and women's sports.Fox's suit has opened another battle in America's culture wars between conservatives who say they face unfair discrimination for voicing traditional views rooted in their religion and those who say expressing such views can amount to offensive prejudice and harassment against LGBTQ people or other minorities.The city of Austin has not commented on the lawsuit.
Spokesman Andy Tate refused to comment other than to say the city will defend itself in court. For nine years in a row, Austin has received top scores from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and Equality Federation for its inclusive policies.U.S.
Rep. Chip Roy, a Texas Republican, released a statement calling the termination "wrong, cowardly, and likely unconstitutional.
