A 61-year-old lesbian firefighter and paramedic may soon receive a $1.3 million settlement from Kansas City, Missouri — the city’s largest ever — for enduring 21 years of ageist, sexist and anti-LGBTQ+ abuse from her male coworkers. The city council must now vote on whether to approve the settlement in exchange for her dropping her discrimination lawsuits against the city.
Rebecca Reynolds graduated from the Kansas City Fire Department Academy around age 40 and began serving alongside mostly younger male firefighters. Her colleagues repeatedly demeaned and challenged her authority during emergency calls, even screaming and swearing at her in front of patients and others, Reynolds alleged in court documents, according to The Kansas City Star.
One supervisor reportedly told Reynolds that she was “not normal” because of her sexual orientation. Another allegedly remarked, “That’s why they shouldn’t hire old people,” when questioning her medical equipment set up.
In March 2023, a coworker allegedly tripped her on purpose, causing a knee injury that required surgery. While away on medical leave during the following September, one of her coworkers, Pleaze Robinson III, allegedly urinated on items in her office, including training books, a recreational bodyboard, a compact disc player, and other belongings amounting to $3,000 in value.
When she returned to work, Reynolds noted a strange smell in her office and saw that the items were wet with a yellow liquid. She reported the vandalism to police and mentioned that she had experienced problems with Robinson, who pleaded guilty in 2019 to a road rage assault. Taking a urine sample from her CD player, police said it matched Robinson’s DNA. He was later charged with two felony charges of first-degree harassment and property damage.
On Tuesday, the Kansas City Council’s finance committee recommended that the full council approve the $1.3 million settlement. In exchange, Reynolds would drop her discrimination lawsuits against the city.
Nearly 46% of all LGBTQ+ workers have experienced unfair treatment at work during their lifetimes due to their sexual orientation or gender identity — including being fired, not hired, or harassed.
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