In this September 2019 file photo, Pastor Dennis Hodges protests against a Drag Queen Story Hour at the Chula Vista Public Library, Civic Center Branch. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Daniel Whyte III says “What We Have Feared Has Come Upon Us.” PASTOR DENNIS HODGES HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE SAN DIEGO POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD BECAUSE HE IS AGAINST THE ABOMINATION OF SODOMY/HOMOSEXUALITY AND THE LGBTQQIPF2SSAA+ AGENDA. Now he is suing the Mayor.
A pastor who was nearly removed from San Diego County’s human relations commission over anti-LGBTQ remarks is suing San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, claiming Gloria violated his First Amendment rights by vetoing his reappointment to a city advisory board because of his comments and religious beliefs.
Dennis Hodges, the founding pastor of the Church of Yeshua Ha Mashiach in Lemon Grove, filed the unlawful discrimination and retaliation suit Wednesday in San Diego federal court.
“Despite his years of public service and dedication to the San Diego community, the Mayor of the City of San Diego, under the influence of several of Mr. Hodges’ fellow commissioners, retaliated and discriminated against Mr. Hodges for adhering to his religious beliefs regarding gender identity and transgenderism,” the lawsuit alleges.
Source:sandiegouniontribune
Christian Post says, Pastor removed from San Diego police oversight board over LGBT beliefs sues mayor
A San Diego County human relations commissioner and pastor has filed a lawsuit against San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria for removing him from a city board, alleging discrimination against his religious beliefs. The action followed the pastor’s abstention from a vote condemning transphobia, citing his Christian faith.
Dennis Hodges, pastor of the Church of Yeshua Ha Mashiach in Lemon Grove, California, and a member of the San Diego County Human Relations Commission since 2021, filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California earlier this month.
The complaint alleges that Hodges’ fellow commissioners influenced Gloria to veto his reappointment to San Diego’s Citizens Advisory Board on Police/Community Relations.
Hodges, a member of the city board since 2017, abstained from a November 2021 Human Relations Commission vote on “an agenda item relating to the transgender community.”
Video from the meeting shows that the agenda item in question was “a letter from the City of San Diego Human Relations Commissioner Tootie Thomas Regarding Ending Discrimination and Transphobia by Amplifying the Visibility and Voices of the Transgender Community.”
One commission member identified the agenda item’s purpose as to “send a strong signal that the city and the county” are committed to “ending transphobia.” It would entail drafting a letter and sending it out on behalf of the commission.
The lawsuit attributed Hodges’ abstention vote to his religious beliefs, specifically “because the agenda item conflicted with his Christian beliefs on creation, God’s design for humankind, and human sexuality.”
When asked about his abstention at the meeting, Hodges assured his fellow commissioners, “I love all people. I love transgenders as well. But to me, it’s an abomination to the eyes of God, so I don’t agree with it.”
While some of Hodges’ fellow commissioners urged him to resign following his “abomination” remark, he defended his position as consistent “with the Word of God.” He indicated that he had no intention of stepping down.
In June 2022, a majority of Hodges’ fellow commissioners voted against removing him at a special meeting called by its chair. The lawsuit contends that efforts to oust Hodges from his post on the Human Relations Commission continued for over a year. The filing describes the effort as “a crusade to cancel a man for holding traditional, religious beliefs regarding the biological nature of a man and woman.”
In August 2023, Gloria used the authority granted by the City Charter to veto Hodges’ reappointment to the San Diego Citizens Advisory Board on Police/Community Relations. The lawsuit cites a memorandum from Gloria, highlighting Hodges’ comments about the LGBT community, particularly trans-identified individuals, as a reason for his dismissal from the city board.
The complaint contends that Gloria’s decision was “solely based on Hodges’ beliefs about human creation and transgenderism,” which the document stresses are “unrelated to his role on the Advisory Board.”
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