An Atlanta fire chief has been suspended for publishing a book that makes anti-gay comments.
The book, titled Who Told You That You Are Naked?, was written and published by Kelvin Cochran in 2013.
In the Christian self-published book, Cochran wrote:
Naked men refuse to give in, so they pursue sexual fulfillment through multiple partners, with the opposite sex, the same sex and sex outside of marriage and many other vile, vulgar and inappropriate ways which defile their body-temple and dishonor God.
He has been suspended without pay for one month and must complete sensitivity training before returning to work, according to WSB-TV in Atlanta. City officials were unaware of the book — which refers to homosexuality as an example of “uncleanliness” and “sexual perversion” — until employees complained.
Atlanta’s Mayor Kasim Reed issued a statement on the book on Monday:
I was surprised and disappointed to learn of this book on Friday. I profoundly disagree with and am deeply disturbed by the sentiments expressed in the paperback regarding the LGBT community. I will not tolerate discrimination of any kind within my administration.
The mayor’s office is current investigating if Cochran’s writings constitute discrimination or violated city policy, including whether or not his views affected his management duties as fire chief.
Cochran has served as a firefighter since 1981 and has been chief of the Atlanta Fire Department since 2008, according to Raw Story.
Cochran is also not allowed to give his book out to public employees. The book is currently available on Amazon.