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ORANGE COUNTY, California, August 24, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A computer technician has filed a federal lawsuit in Orange County after being reprimanded and demoted for expressing his support for traditional marriage. The employee is represented by Pacific Justice Institute and PJI affiliate attorney Laurie Messerly.

This employee works in an office environment where co-workers are permitted to have personal, religious, and even political messages in their cubicles. He decided to take a stand for traditional values by posting a bumper sticker in his cubicle that stated, “Marriage = man + woman.” His supervisor ordered him to remove the sticker because it was deemed “offensive.” Even though he graciously complied, he was reprimanded and demoted.

This employee realized that he was being treated illegally and contacted Pacific Justice Institute. PJI informed the employer that it was violating federal and state law and attempted to resolve the situation peacefully, but the employer refused to budge from its discriminatory position, and continues to ban the employee’s pro-marriage message. Therefore, working with affiliate attorney Laurie Messerly, PJI filed a federal lawsuit in Orange County.

Attorney Messerly commented on the new lawsuit, “It is appalling that some employers think they can silence workers based solely on their viewpoint. We are confident that the justice system will right the wrongs done to this employee.”

The president of Pacific Justice Institute, Attorney Brad Dacus, added, “We commend this employee for taking a stand for traditional marriage, and we are committed to standing with him in federal court. We are also grateful to Attorney Messerly for volunteering her time to help us litigate this vital issue.”