Sergeant Told to Tone Down ‘Gayness’ to Lead Diversity Unit

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) — A gay St. Louis County police sergeant who was awarded nearly $20 million in a discrimination lawsuit has been promoted to lieutenant and picked as the leader of a newly created diversity and inclusion unit. Police Chief Jon Belmar said in a news release announcing the unit that the department “must demonstrate to our officers and to our community that we prioritize diversity and inclusion.” The announcement comes after a jury ruled in October in favor of Keith Wildhaber, who says he was passed over for promotion 23 times and was told to “tone down” his “gayness.”