SC statewide & national lgbt groups furious over firing of Latta police chief

Crystal Moore

A South Carolina organization and a national group both devoted to ensuring lgbt equality are registering their disapproval over the recent firing of Latta SC's first female police chief by the town's mayor.

SC Equality and the Human Rights Campaign issued statements over the firing of Police Chief Crystal Moore by Latta mayor Earl Bullard.  It is alleged that Bullard fired Moore in part because she is gay.

From the Rob Groce of the Charleston Democrat Examiner:

Latta, S.C., Police Chief Crystal Moore was released by Mayor Earl Bullard on April 15, and for at least one of two questionable reasons. First, she questioned a recent hire of the new mayor; second, Moore is openly gay, and to Bullard’s open discontent.

Moore recently investigated the town’s new Parks and Recreation Dept. director Vontray Sellers, hired by Bullard in February, and after local news reported that same month that Sellers was driving a town vehicle despite having a suspended driver’s license.

In her research, Moore learned that recent charges against 24-year-old Sellers, whose job includes direct interaction with children, also included assault of a correction facility employee. Bullard didn’t conduct a background check on Sellers, Moore also learned. The mayor, who first took office in January, refused to answer questions from both media and the public about the hire. On Tuesday, Bullard fired Moore after issuing seven reprimands all pertaining to her investigation.

However, the incident which raises questions about Moore's sexual orientation leading to her firing is a taped phone conversation with Bullard in which he said some brutal things about the lgbt community (click here for an audio of his comments):

"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. Because that ain't the damn way it's supposed to be. 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. " I'm not going to let 2 women stand up there and hold hands and let my child be aware of it. And I'm not going to see them do it with 2 men neither." I'm not going to do it. Because that ain't the way the world works. " Now, all these people showering down and saying 'Oh it's a different lifestyle they can have it.' Ok, fine and dandy, but I don't have to look at it and I don't want my child around it."

SC Equality and HRC said Bullard's comments proves the need for state and national anti-discrimination laws for the lgbt community.

'SC university defends LGBT curriculum' and other Thursday midday news briefs

University of South Carolina-Upstate Chancellor, Defends School's LGBT Curriculum, Comedy Act - It's nice to see any university stand up to homophobia and willful ignorance. But it is especially sweet that the university is in my state of South Carolina. 

Anti-gay talker Steve Deace lets LGBT movement know: we're about to sue churches, apparently - Uh no. Lgbts will not be suing churches. Let's kill that lie right now.

A $6 Million Legal Bill — And A Fight For Credit In The Marriage Equality Movement - This is JUNK. Perhaps we should work to get FULL marriage equality before we start squabbling about who gets the largest amount of credit for the fight.  

LISD Superintendent yet to decide on fate of transgender substitute teacher - So this story isn't settled.  

BarbWire Defends Brutal Anti-Gay Laws In Uganda, Nigeria, Ethiopia - One day, anti-gay groups will realize that people like Matt Barber and publications like BarbWire actually undermine their anti-gay subterfuge . . . oh who am I kidding?