Dear Editor:

My name is Deana Cacus, and I want to recruit you.

If you’re a San Diego resident, you are probably aware of the suit filed against the city by four Hillcrest firefighters who claimed that they were sexually harrassed during last July’s gay pride parade. Yesterday, a jury awarded them $34,000 in what they called “damages.”

As a taxpayer, I disagree with this decision, as I do not believe that my hard-earned money should go towards the “emotional recovery” of blatant homophobes. Awarding their misgivings towards the homosexual community is not only morally reprehensible, it’s also quite dangerous. These men are firefighters, and they have gone out of their way to prove that they are uncomfortable with gays. They also work in Hillcrest, which has the largest gay population in the entire county.

Let’s say that an assumed group of gay men were trapped in a burning building. Would the firemen rush in to rescue them? Or would they refuse to do so, reserving the right to decline due to their personal feelings about homosexuality? Due to the recent ruling, would their inaction be approved? If they did save the men, who promptly praised and thanked them for their heroism, and the firefighters then felt uncomfortable, would we award them an exorbitant sum of money for their “emotional distress?”

I’ve attended and participated in the pride parade. I cannot say that I have ever encountered an even mildly inappropriate reaction from the parade attendees. I may not be an attractive male working in an often fantasy-oriented industry, but I have been on floats with plenty of them. I never experienced or witnessed any harrassment, and I am notorious for my prudence and modesty. Parades are raucous by nature, but their was no evidence of nudity or simulation directed towards these firefighters. All they could do was attest to being harrassed and having suffered emotionally as a result.

This trial should have focused on policy. If the firefighters were forced to participate even after voicing their reluctance, then the city should have penalized the administration, not taxpayers, nor the gay community, which has now had its reputation tarnished even further. This should not have been about the firefighters and how they feel towards a certain lifestyle. Moreover, I find it ridiculous that four adult men who work regularly in Hillcrest can suddenly take issue with the majority of the people that they serve and subsequently sue their community.

If, like me, you are against the ruling, make a point to voice your opposition. Write about it on a message board or in your personal blog. Share your opinion in your community. Send an impassioned letter of outrage to recently elected and openly gay city councilman Todd Gloria. We cannot allow San Diego to become a city that promotes intolerance.

And if you’re wondering why a heterosexual woman would go out of her way to stand up for the gay community, the reason is this: I believe that it is the responsibility of every human being to protect the safety and rights of the people. And when a community is being persecuted, we cannot leave the fight to those directly affected, as injustice affects us all. Join me in thwarting the spread of homophobia and the encouragement of it by our local legislature.

Deana Cacus