A 19-year-old police officer in Georgia resigned after being suspended for making a social media post about his religious views on gay marriage. His superiors demanded he take down the Facebook post in which Kersey stated, “God designed marriage. Marriage refers to Christ and the church. That’s why there’s no such thing as homosexual marriage.” While Kersey wasn’t fired after the investigation, his superiors made clear that he could face potential termination for future social media posts that others may find offensive. In a letter, Maj. Bradwick Sherrod’s told Kersey that individuals “could raise reasonable concerns regarding your objectivity and the performance of your job duties when a member or suspected member of the LGBTQ+ community is involved.” The major reminded Kersey that “you could be terminated” for posts of a similar nature.
NEWS ROLLUP: Georgia Cop Pressured to Resign
By News Rollup; January 30, 2023
A 19-year-old police officer in Georgia resigned after being suspended for making a social media post about his religious views regarding gay marriage. The post was brought to the attention of the police department. His superiors demanded he take down the Facebook post in which Kersey stated, “God designed marriage. Marriage refers to Christ and the church. That’s why there’s no such thing as homosexual marriage.”
While Kersey wasn’t fired after the investigation, his superiors clarified that he could face potential termination for future social media posts that others may find offensive. Maj. Bradwick Sherrod’s concern about Kersey’s post was that LGBTQ individuals “could raise reasonable concerns regarding your objectivity and the performance of your job duties when a member or suspected member of the LGBTQ+ community is involved.”
In his letter, the major reminded Kersey that “you could be terminated” for posts of a similar nature. This situation sets a dangerous precedent between the right to free speech and the responsibilities that come with being a public servant.