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Policeman Told To 'Tone Down' His Gayness Awarded $29 Million In Compensation

Policeman Told To 'Tone Down' His Gayness Awarded $29 Million In Compensation

Sgt. Keith Wildhaber was overlooked for a promotion 23 times because one of his seniors thought he was too 'fruity'

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

An American police officer has just had a massive win at an employment tribunal after he claimed he was overlooked for a promotion because of his sexuality.

Sgt. Keith Wildhaber alleged he wasn't overlooked once or twice, but a whopping 23 times at the St. Louis County Police Department.

When the veteran cop complained about the lack of progression, he was transferred to a different department.

It was later revealed that this was because Sgt. Wildhaber was considered 'too gay' by his seniors.

According to the St Louis Post-Dispatch, the cop's captain, Guy Means, called him 'fruity' in private and explained to a colleague's girlfriend that Wildhaber was 'way too out there with his gayness and he needed to tone it down'.

During the lawsuit, Mr Means tried to claim he didn't know the colleague's girlfriend or what he said to her during the 2015 event.

However, the jury heard from the girlfriend, Donna Woodland, who was able to produce pictures from the night showing that they had at least spoken to each other.

Mr Wildhaber's lawyer, Russ Riggan, told the court: "The county should be ashamed .Our community deserves better."

KSDK News/NBC

After just three hours of deliberation, the jury came back and sided with Sgt. Wildhaber.

The jury foreman told reporters: "We wanted to send a message. If you discriminate, you are going to pay a big price... You can't defend the indefensible."

And that is certainly a big price.

Mr Wildhaber has been awarded US $1.9 million (£1.5m / AUD £2.8m) in actual damages and US $10m (£7.8m / AUD $14.6m) in punitive damages for discrimination.

He also received US $999,000 (£776,000 / AUD $1.4m) in actual damages and US $7m (£5.4m / AUD $10.2m) in punitive damages for his retaliation claim, according to the paper.

That takes his total to just shy of US $20m (£15.5m / AUD $29m).

Featured Image Credit: KSDK News/NBC

Topics: News, US News