An Atlanta fire chief has been fired over a book he released in which he claimed homosexuality was "unclean" and "a sexual perversion".
Kelvin Cochran's recent book "Who Told You That You Were Naked," initially earned him a 30-day suspension in November. The city mayor later announced that Cochran was relieved from his job.
Mayor Reed told media during a press conference on Tuesday, "Not one time during the course of preparing this book did Chief Cochran ever think that it was appropriate to have a conversation with me despite the fact that I have made my opinion — and this administration's opinion — clear on this topic."
"This is about judgment," Mayor Reed added. "This is not about religious freedom. This is not about free speech. Judgment is the basis of the problem."
Meanwhile, Cochran told Fox News it was a "frightening day" in the United States that a person could not express their faith without fear of persecution.
"Everything I wrote in the book is based on scriptures, not my opinions," he explained. "LGBT citizens deserve the right to express their belief regarding sexual orientation and deserve to be respected for their position without hate and discrimination, but Christians also have the right to express their beliefs as well."
The decision to fire Cochran was supported by openly gay council member Alex Wan, who stated that the dismissal sent "a strong message" to employees on the value of "diversity" and the adherence to a "non-discriminatory environment".
Meanwhile, the case has angered religious groups, with Georgia's Baptist Convention's President Robert While labelling the incident "appalling".
"This has everything to do with his religious beliefs," he said.