A California pastor filed a lawsuit against San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria (D) after Gloria had the pastor removed from an advisory board for his Christian beliefs.
Dennis Hodges of the Church of Yeshua Ha Mashiach was removed from the Citizens Advisory Board on Police/Community Relations, which he had served on since 2017.
Hodges abstained from a vote on “an agenda item relating to the transgender community,” according to the lawsuit.
“This is an action for the unlawful discrimination and retaliation against Mr. Dennis Hodges, a devoted Christian pastor and public servant,” the filing states.
The lawsuit alleges that the mayor, “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.”
“Consistent with the Commission’s Rules of Order, Mr. Hodges respectfully abstained from voting on an agenda item relating to the transgender community. He did so because the agenda item conflicted with his Christian beliefs on creation, God’s design for humankind, and human sexuality,” the filing explains.
According to The Washington Stand, Hodges told 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.”
When many of the commissioners voted for Hodges to retain his position, Mayor Gloria vetoed.
“The Mayor’s veto of Mr. Hodges’ reappointment to the Advisory Board was not based on Mr. Hodges’ credentials (or lack thereof). Indeed, Mr. Hodges has a lengthy background in not only public service, but law enforcement,” the lawsuit asserted. “He is well suited to serve on the Advisory Board.”
“The Mayor based his decision to exercise his veto authority against Mr. Hodges solely based on his beliefs on human creation and transgenderism – issues that are unrelated to his role on the Advisory Board.”
After filing the lawsuit, Hodges said in a press release, “I have dedicated my life to service. I am standing up for religious people nationwide who have been discriminated against solely because of their faith. What happened to me at the hands of our government should never happen to anyone else.”
