A former firefighter is suing LA County over his colleague's alleged homophobic behavior

A former firefighter is suing Los Angeles County, claiming he was discriminated against because of his disability and endured harassment from a co-worker.

The lawsuit filed Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court details a series of events over six years that Guilherme Guimaraes says violated his rights under the Fair Employment and Housing Act.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department said it does not comment on pending cases.

In 2017, Guimaraes was forced to take 20 months of medical leave after developing aplastic anemia after being exposed to toxic fumes and benzene at work, according to the lawsuit.

Guimaraes returned to his job in Marina del Rey, but reportedly faced difficulties with his living quarters, including owning a service dog and requiring a workplace with fresh air. In February 2021, a new recruiter, Eric Barnett, joined the station and allegedly began making homosexual comments to colleagues, including Guimaraes, the lawsuit said.

Although Guimaraes was direct, the lawsuit said, Barnett's comments “struck a chord.” [him]who has a gay relative, which makes him feel uncomfortable and unwelcome at the station.”

Despite complaints made about Barnett's alleged abuse, Guimaraes says Barnett faced no disciplinary action and the conflict between the two continued to escalate. The following month, Barnett allegedly retaliated against Guimaraes by tearing down pictures of his children from his closet, calling him a “rat” at the station and questioning the validity of Guimaraes' medical disability.

Guimaraes, who lived in Marina del Rey, was moved to a temporary assignment in North Hollywood, then the Agoura Hills fire station in 2022. The lawsuit alleges that department captains incited him to retaliate by speaking out against Barnett's homophobic comments.

When Guimaraes returned to the Marina del Rey fire station, Barnett also returned and was tortured, the lawsuit alleges. In May 2024, Guimaraes found a strap-on dildo in her closet, but alleged that no remedial action was taken and she was forced to continue working shifts alongside Barnett.

Guimaraes was also transported in September to the Chatsworth fire station, where he found the toy while packing his belongings, according to the lawsuit. The stress of the alleged incidents and the lack of accountability should have forced Guimaraes to take a stressful leave, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit said Guimaraes is seeking more than $25,000 in damages for his loss of overtime pay and for injury to his professional career and reputation, affecting his salary and retirement benefits.