Court of Appeals Upholds a $1.55 Million Sexual Orientation Discrimination Verdict

California Court of Appeal upheld a $1.55 million sexual orientation and discrimination lawsuit that was filed by a former employee of The Lodge at Torrey Pines. Plaintiff testified that the manager at one of defendant’s divisions would direct graphic “gay-bashing” jokes at him and female employees. He further testified that the director of human resources for the company advised him to simply quit as these “types of situations only get worst.” Upon resigning due to the ongoing acts of harassment, plaintiff filed suit against The Lodge and was awarded damages against the manager and the company. Although the trial judge had issued a new trial ruling and an order to reverse the judgment, court of appeal found that the original judgment should stand. Feb 07.