Former Atlanta Fire Chief Files Religious Discrimination Complaint

Former Atlanta Fire Rescue Department Chief Kelvin Cochran. Credit: City of Atlanta

The recently-terminated chief of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department has filed a federal complaint which alleges that he was fired for his religious beliefs.

According to WSB-TV, Kelvin Cochran’s complaint before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claims that his Jan. 6 firing was an act of discrimination against his Christian faith. Cochran says he was let go because of his self-published book, “Who Told You You Are Naked?,” which allegedly says that his first priority as chief is to ensure that the department’s work glorifies God.

More troubling, however, are accusations that Cochran’s book slams homosexuality as a perversion and compares homosexuals to those who engage in bestiality.

The City of Atlanta and the office of Mayor Kasim Reed said that Cochran’s statements against homosexuality and homosexuals did not mesh with the city’s all-inclusive vision, but added that the chief was fired for self-publishing the book and distributing it to his subordinates without the city’s knowledge or permission and for making public statements regarding an ongoing internal investigation into the book.

According to WSB-TV, which acquired a copy of the city’s internal investigation into the matter, Cochran admitted giving copies of ”Who Told You You Are Naked?” to three people who did not ask for a copy, despite earlier public statements which claimed he only gave the book to some of his command staff.

In late November, Cochran was suspended without pay when city leaders discovered he had published and distributed the book to members of the department without the permission or consent of the city. On Jan. 6, Reed said during a press conference that the city and Cochran had decided to ”separate” in the wake of the controversy.

On Jan. 13, a dozen religious leaders spoke at a rally outside the Georgia State Capitol and decried Cochran’s firing as religious discrimination; according to WSB-TV, speakers such as Dr. Robert White demanded that Mayor Kasim Reed immediately reinstate Cochran and apologize for his termination.

Last week, Elizabeth Baptist Church pastor Dr. Craig L. Oliver said that Kelvin Cochran’s firing should concern Christians nationwide, and added that an organization should not be able to muzzle one of its employees for expressing his or her religious views.

Further Reading:

• Nov. 24: Atlanta Fire Chief Suspended for Publishing Book Without Permission
• Jan. 6: Atlanta Fire Chief Fired in Wake of Controversial Anti-Gay Book
• Jan. 13: Internal Investigation Reveals Former Fire Chief Gave Book to Those Who Didn’t Ask For It
• Jan. 14: Religious Groups Rally Behind Former Fire Chief