Mississippi Sheriff Reinstates Fired Gay Corrections Officer

There is excellent news to report on the case of Andre Cooley, the former Forrest County, Mississippi Sheriff's Department officer who was "fired because he turned out to be a faggot." Cooley said  his supervisors discovered he was gay when they responded to a 911 call he placed in June 2010 after his boyfriend became violent. 

Officer Cooley has been reinstated and the department will clarify its non-discrimination policy, thanks to a lawsuit filed by ACLU and ACLU Mississippi.

The Forrest County Sheriff’s Department will reinstate Andre Cooley as a deputy corrections officer as part of the settlement of a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Mississippi, in which Cooley alleged that he was fired because he is gay. As part of the settlement agreement reached today, the sheriff’s department will also update its written non-discrimination policy to make explicit that the sheriff’s department does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.

"I am looking forward to returning to a job that I loved in the sheriff’s department," Cooley said. "I’m very happy that the sheriff’s department has clarified in writing that they do not discriminate based on sexual orientation. Everyone should be judged by their ability to do the job, not by their sexual orientation."

"We are happy to have Mr. Cooley return to work in the department. His sexual orientation has no bearing on his ability to perform the duties of a corrections officer," said Sheriff Billy McGee. "The Forrest County Sheriff’s Department is an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate based on sexual orientation. Our new written policy will make this position clear to every employee in our department."

The settlement agreement includes a monetary amount for Cooley, the ACLU adds.

The reinstatement and non-discrimination policy is a huge win. Last December, you may recall the Forrest County Sheriff responded to the ACLU complaint and said they did absolutely nothing wrong—wait for it—because "no federal or state law exists in regard to firings over sexual orientation."

Congrats to Officer Cooley and the ACLU. And the case is yet another reminder of why we need the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. 

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Comments

[Osiris]

Great news.

[Black Pegasus]

Yes, great news indeed. But he better keep the ACLU on speed dial cuz those goons on the job are going to submit him to emotional stress and indifference while on the job - all of which will be hard to prove in court. I wish him well.

[chris w.]

I am happy for this brother. This development is a step in the right direction for Mississippi.

[FREELEO]

While I'm very happy for this brother, I'm still very concerned for his safety. My hope is that Officer Cooley is treated with dignity and respect by his fellow officers and that he have a long and decorated career.

[TheRevKev]

I agree about the concern for his safety in MISSISSIPPI (Can't help but think about Nina Simone and her powerful rant against the state!!!).

I am also concerned about this boyfriend who was enough of a concern to have to call the police WHEN YOU ARE THE POLICE!

I am praying for this brother!!!

[Distant Lover]

I hope he finds another job soon. If I were him, I would take my back pay and get into another line of work, preferably activism. They (meaning the Corrections Dept.) will make things very difficult for him out of pure spite and I wouldn't put it pass them if Officer Cooley had an 'accident' while on duty. It has happened in times past and times haven't changed that much. Somebody call Dr. Ravi Perry and send him Officer Cooley's resume. I think that he would be just the new blood that Dr. Perry's looking for!

[Jim]

Why do I visualize Sheriff Billy McGee welcoming Andre Cooley back to the department with gritted teeth?

Distant Lover, I agree with you. He should take the back pay and try to get safe.

[Troy]

change the channel, switch it up become an black global english gentleman: As should come as no surprise to his readers, a gentleman is rather a stickler when it comes to language and the correct use and pronunciation of it. He seeks to speak English properly, refraining from the egregious use of slang, lazy or silly pronunciations, or sloppy grammar. And perhaps you think so, too. A small little passage that comes to mind: Look at her, a prisoner of the gutter, Condemned by every syllable she utters. By right she should be taken out and hung. For the cold-blooded murder of the English tongue.
Life too's short save yourself first and tell ole Miss to kiss it and walk away knowing the hero that you are.

[J in L.A.]

He'll find out if any coworkers were really his friends...

[Andy Niable]

Thanks for the post, Rod.

[Mad Professah]

Wow that's an amazing result! You know the tiems are a changin' if sexual orientation discrimination is being recognized and banned in the Deep South of Alabama!

2011, y'all!

(I agree with the previous posters that Cooley has made his point and established an excellent precedent in Alabama and should do whatever is best for HIS mental health, which I would suggest is to take the money and run!)