Small SC town rallies for fired gay police chief

[rug]

Latta Police Chief Crystal Moore stands beside her police SUV on Thursday, July 10, 2014, in Latta, S.C.

AP 8 hr ago | By JEFFREY COLLINS of Associated Press

LATTA, S.C. (AP) — When openly gay police chief Crystal Moore was fired by a mayor who condemned her lifestyle as "questionable," she expected her two decade career in law enforcement was over.

Then, this conservative, small town rebelled.

The people of Latta, who voted overwhelmingly for a state amendment banning gay marriage eight years ago, turned against the mayor, stripped him of his powers and rehired Moore. They said her dedication to the town mattered more than her sexual orientation.

Residents remembered Moore's civic spirit from as far back as 1989, when Hurricane Hugo tore through Latta. She was a high school student working part time as a police dispatcher, and helped cut downed tree limbs to clean up the debris. This February, when an ice storm crippled the town and left it without power for days, Moore piled her officers in her SUV and checked on as many people as she could.

http://news.msn.com/in-depth/small-sc-town-rallies-for-fired-gay-police-chief

[Bluenorthwest]

1. Such great people, thank you, rug, for sharing this on DU

South Carolina of all places. I think I smell change in the air. Or maybe it's just that great bbq they do down there, either way it smells fine....

[rug]

2. I don't know how big this town is but there's something to be said for everyone knowing each other.

It's very hard to hate someone to her face, especially when she's responding to a call for help.

[madokie]

3. As I said to the other post about this

stories like this gives me hope that one day we all will come together as one.

Hate sucks no matter what the hate is about. Before the SC decision that gave bush/cheney the reigns I had never felt hate. Between the SC and the bush/cheney cabal they taught me how to do it. I don't like feeling that way either

[rug]

4. I didn't see the other thread.

What a place this is. Anything of significance is posted in the blink of an eye.

[madokie]

7. No biggie

I'd much rather see a double post as no post at all.

[RKP5637]

8. K&R! n/t

[Faryn Balyncd]

5. This is a wonderful story.

[MissMillie]

6. When I'm hired to do a job,

I think my employer should be most concerned about whether I do that job.

This woman seems to have a stellar record. I would think that if he let that go, his constituents SHOULD call him on it.

[one_voice]

9. DU needed this nice story today...

so much 'yuck' right now. It's nice to read there's some good out there.

k&r