PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A female firefighter is suing the city of Providence, alleging she was harassed and discriminated against by her colleagues due to her sexual orientation and because she’s a woman.
WJAR-TV reports that Lt. Danielle Masse’s complaint filed Wednesday in federal court alleges that female firefighters who date or have a sexual relationship with their male co-workers are treated better than woman who refuse to do so.
She claims department leaders derailed her career because she agreed to testify in the similar case of retired female firefighter Lori Franchina, who also said she was mistreated because she’s a woman and a lesbian. A jury awarded Franchina more than $800,000.
A spokeswoman for Mayor Jorge Elorza says the city hasn’t been served the lawsuit and couldn’t comment on the allegations.
___
