Miami anchor sues

[adam & doctor drew]

...for a reason I've never heard before: they demoted him because he's too gay. (http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/people/story/1170101.html)

[The Mockingbird]

The cynic in me says it would be easier to get a settlement that way.

[Sultanosurf]

First thought - which gay Miami anchor? Second thought - hassled over being gay by Pahovey?

Rational thought - Perez has been getting by on so-so talent (And getting paid very well for it), why not realize that the shelf life in Miami is limited and move on, instead of this strange gambit?

[s'news]

I don't know for sure, but I think there's a difference when an on-air person is involved, and possibly causing a distraction. Again, I don't know for sure about this guys situation or case.

[Sultanosurf]

From the linked article: "Pohovey called Perez into his office for a ``new'' performance review, this time saying Perez came across ``too soft,'' didn't sound ``main anchor-like'' and smiled too much with co-anchor Laurie Jennings. ``Like girlfriends.''"

First, I'd smile too much with Laurie Jennings, too, but for whole different reasons than 'like girlfriends.' Second, I can't believe that Pahovey would actually say what he's quoted as saying. Third, did Perez consult with a lawyer before filing this dreck with the EEOC? Finally, is there any precedent on the EEOC being used for Charges concerning gay employees?

Last add, hey what's the deal anyway, as Jose Duran says in the New Times, PLG always knew Perez had it goin' on...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXcLoePETDE

[wx or not]

Don't ask, don't tell.

[east coast producer]

In Florida, as with most progressive states, it's unlawful to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. If the guy was demoted for being gay, that's unlawful in Florida, and it sounds like he's got a pretty strong case. If memory serves, filing the complaint and working through that process is a requirement under the law before you're allowed to sue.

http://www.miamidade.gov/eob/
Commission on Human Rights Improves Lives The Miami-Dade County Commission on Human Rights is a quasi-judicial as well as an advisory board charged with the enforcement of Miami-Dade County's civil and human rights ordinance, codified as Chapter 11A of the Miami-Dade County Code (http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=10620&sid=9), as amended. Our mission is to help improve the quality of life of all Miami-Dade County residents by combating discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, credit and financing practices, family leave and domestic violence leave. This is accomplished by receiving, initiating, investigating, and conciliating complaints based on


Race
Color
Religion
National origin
Sex
Age
Disability
Marital status
Familial status
Sexual orientation

The Commission on Human Rights is authorized to take complaints against employers with five or more employees in Miami-Dade County, and to investigate allegations of discrimination under federal, state and local laws. The Board also provides technical assistance to employers and housing providers in the implementation of fair employment and fair housing practices, and holds public hearings concerning issues of discrimination affecting residents of Miami-Dade County.

[cinehead]

Too gay? Is there a "just gay enough"?

[adam & doctor drew]

Too gay? Is there a "just gay enough"?

http://blog.nola.com/davewalker/2009/03/cooper.anderson.b.jpg

[Sultanosurf]

http://blog.nola.com/davewalker/2009/03/cooper.anderson.b.jpg

Colin Cowherd went off on Cooper today. Making a pretty good point. Honest, where's the dramatic difference between Perez and Cooper? Other than all the overwrung drama Cooper injects...

[style&substance]

Perez claims he was stalked and the subject of abuse. Hard to believe a woman would be fired for being abused and stalked. She would be a victim and the station would take steps to ensure her safety. (Provide escort to and from her cars at night for example.) If he is being treated differently because he is a man, that too, would be gender discrimination.

[Diggin' Bear]

Third, did Perez consult with a lawyer before filing this dreck with the EEOC? Finally, is there any precedent on the EEOC being used for Charges concerning gay employees?

I don't know the players or the case involved here, but the law requires anyone intending to sue on the basis of discrimination to go before the EEOC for what's called a letter of Right to Sue. It's sort of like a civil rights grand jury: you present your case, your evidence, and they give thumbs up or down.

It's a pretty big deal to get a letter - because the commission is supposed to weed out the garden variety 'my boss hates me' kind of filing to keep from crowding the court's calendar.

[Clever Login Name]

"Tom, I'm standing here in downtown San Francisco, where residents are considering a referendum to change the name of the city to something a little less gay ..."

[Sparky]

More importantly, how gay is too gay for Right Wing TV?

http://www.mofopolitics.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/shepherd-smith-arrested.jpg

[Sir Dropham Pants]

From the article:
Pohovey denies Perez's claims: ``This is an outrageous accusation,'' Pohovey said in a statement. ``As a gay man myself, I can safely say the Station does not discriminate against gay people. Charles' claim that the Station discriminates against gay people is untrue and offensive.''

Ah, yes, the "I'm-gayer-than-you" defense.

[adam & doctor drew]

update: now he's been fired. (http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/08/breaking-news-wplg-fires-anchor-charles-perez.html)

[Mom]

On April 3, Perez went to court seeking a restraining order against his former partner, Dennis Ricardo Peña, whom he accused of leaking a private e-mail concerning Perez’s ‘’gender identity issues.’’


What do "gender identity issues" have to do with being gay? Does that statement above mean Perez was having issues about his own gender? If he was considering becoming transgendered, then I might understand the station's position a little more. That's how it reads to me. It's also unclear who voiced those three words in quotes above. Perez himself? The court? Pena? Who? If those three words are supposed to be a description of being homosexual, they're way off-base.

[Sultanosurf]

update: now he's been fired. (http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/08/breaking-news-wplg-fires-anchor-charles-perez.html)

Gotta love the comments on the linked story. Ann Bishop gets a mention. Hello? Think she wouldn't have loved this one?

Actually, beyond the County EEOC filing, it'd be interesting to see the clauses in Perez' contract if they choose to demote him to weekends. They obviously researched their 'outs.' (Hey, now)