News
News

Former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran filed suit after his 2015 firing

Former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran was fired after an investigation into a book he wrote, containing controversial comments about homosexuality.
By AJC Staff
Nov 16, 2017

Former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Mayor Kasim Reed and the city, saying he was terminated in 2015 because of his religion.

Attorneys with faith-based nonprofit Alliance Defending Freedom are representing Cochran in the suit, filed in a U.S. District Court. They say Cochran's self-authored religious book, which contained controversial passages about homosexuality, cost him his job.

The mayor has repeatedly said Cochran's judgment — and not his faith — is why he was terminated after serving a 30-day suspension without pay.

The lawsuit is a separate legal proceeding from a federal discrimination complaint Cochran filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

In addition to the Alliance Defending Freedom, Cochran has received support from organizations including the Georgia Baptist Convention and the  Family Research Council.

Ousted Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran

Credit: Bob Andres

icon to expand image

Credit: Bob Andres

Coverage of the story by the AJC

ExploreAtlanta fire chief suspended over book controversy
ExploreMayor Kasim Reed terminates fire chief following book controversy
ExploreEx-Atlanta fire chief files discrimination complaint against City
ExploreFormer Atlanta fire chief files federal lawsuit against city, mayor
ExploreCochran controversy draws response from GOP Georgia congressmen
ExploreKasim Reed responds to Georgia congressmen on fired fire chief
ExploreEx-Atlanta fire chief the GOP darling of Congress’ ‘religious liberty’ debate
ExploreEx-Atlanta fire chief: God prepared me for this storm
ExploreFormer Atlanta fire chief’s court case goes forward

About the Author

AJC Staff
More Stories

Keep Reading

DeKalb County police Officer David Rose was killed while responding to a report of an active shooter outside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week. (DeKalb County police)

Credit: DeKalb County police

Runners rally to support family of DeKalb officer killed in CDC shooting

Runners at the Atlanta’s Finest 5K race on Saturday raised money for the family of DeKalb County police Officer David Rose, who was killed in the line of duty last week.

Man acquitted in fatal shooting of off-duty Fulton County deputy in 2022

Alton Deshawn Oliver was acquitted on charges in the December 2022 fatal shooting of Deputy James Thomas, 24.

Veterans Affairs reassigning Atlanta-area nurses amid major overhaul

The VA’s Office of Inspector General released the results of a survey showing VA facilities in Georgia and across the nation had 4,434 staffing shortages as of April.

The Latest

ajc.com

Credit: Photo Illustration: Philip Robibero / AJC | Source: Getty, Open Street Map

A.M. ATL: ICE in Savannah

A.M. ATL: Toxic beauty

Watch: How synthetic hair braids pose a health threat to Black women

Featured

(Photo Illustration: Philip Robibero / AJC | Source: Getty, Open Street Map)

Credit: Photo Illustration: Philip Robibero / AJC | Source: Getty, Open Street Map

In Savannah, ICE rides shotgun with local police to find and arrest immigrants

ICE agents riding in Georgia patrol vehicles marks a level of synergy between federal and local law enforcement agencies previously unheard-of, advocates say.

UGA, Georgia Southern remove LGBTQ language from nondiscrimination policy

Both schools said they made the changes to align their language with the University System of Georgia’s.

Georgia’s mass voter registration cancellation puts some at risk

Georgia plans to cancel nearly 500,000 inactive voter registrations this month. Voting rights groups warn the cancellations include some voters who may still be eligible.