Gay discrimination case against Christian network settled

A broadcast engineer at a Christian television network in Orange County has reached a settled in his lawsuit against his employer alleging that he was discriminated against because he's gay, claiming that he was told to act "straight."

The case involved Costa Mesa-based Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Brian Dugger last year filed a civil suit and sought more than $2.5 million.

Attorneys for both Dugger and Trinity Broadcasting did not return requests for comment. Details of the settlement were not available in court records.

Dugger claimed that his sexuality became an issue when company co-founder and Chairman Paul Crouch Sr. gave control to his son, Paul Crouch Jr., and his wife, Jan.

The younger Crouch told Dugger to dress less “gay,” wear less jewelry and to act “straight,” Dugger claimed in his lawsuit. He alleged that the younger Crouch also insulted him on live television.

Five years into his career with Trinity Broadcasting, Crouch Sr. ordered him to move from the Nashville, Tenn. branch to the Tustin facility, he claimed. That’s when Crouch Jr. was given control of the company. Read the full story here.

-- Joseph Serna

Photo: Paul Crouch Sr. Credit: L.A. Times file photo

Comments

[mfinbh]

Dress more conservatively - than Jan and Paul Crouch?
So, let's be clear: according to Trinity Broadcasting there is an acceptable standard of excess in dress for the Crouches (which would be Bad Taste - and lots of it), and an unacceptable standard (whatever the gay guy wears).
That's almost as rich as the Crouch family itself.

[John L Mendez]

As a Christian, I will Pray for Brian Dugger's Salvation, but first he must Repent for initiating a lawsuit against Trinity Broadcasting Network. If his heathen life is so important to him then he can find secular work elsewhere instead of going for a big payout from God-fearing Christians. Amen.

[Mark]

"Repent" for initiating a valid sex discrimination lawsuit??? This just in: John L Mendez is a religious wacko!

[Dr. J]

TBN should not have hired this gentleman to begin with.

[Jack D.]

Why do homosexual people insist on causing trouble by working where they know their "lifestyle" conflicts with those around them?

He could have moved on. He could have resigned. He could have just done what his employer asked. But no.... he had to cause trouble.

[NOT John L Mendez]

As a REAL Christian, I will pray for John L. Mendez and his misguided support of the Trinity Broadcasting scam artists. Crack open a bible sometime and read about humility and social justice.

[Owen]

You need help John.

[One Eyed Jack]

The reason they do this Jack, is because they are creeps looking to mine some gold out of those situations. Isn't it obvious?

[My opinon means nothing]

Just wondering, what happened to the alligation of the relationship between these two? And how come John L's incredibly stuid, uninformed commments get posted and mine don't?

[dogrob1]

the true christian community knows and understand gods doctrine on gay sexuality(genesis 2:24)which is an imposed restraint,and by hiring this gentleman you have participated in the western worlds "transformation from perversion to normal" god has said that his "DOCTRINES SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO OR TAKEN AWAY FROM" and by hiring him you have done both!(corinthians 6:9-11)the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of god...you knew that he was gay...what doctrines do you follow?

[eye4spot]

It does not matter that the gentleman worked for an organized not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization. All employers have a responsibility to treat employees fairly....when a new manager suddenly asks a good employee, who has successfully been on the job for so many years with out any complaints, to modify clothing, jewelry, and perceived behavior for the reason related to sex, race, religion, or orientation is wrong.
The law suit is justified, and I hope this employer has learned not to let "loose cannon management" go on unchecked.