LA County Lifeguard's Pride Flag Religious-Accommodation Lawsuit Heads Toward Trial
A federal judge has cleared a lawsuit by Los Angeles County lifeguard Captain Jeffrey Little to proceed toward trial after issuing a sealed ruling in the week before May 25, 2026.[1]
The sealed order granted in part and denied in part both sides' motions for summary judgment and left factual disputes for a jury to resolve.[1] Little is seeking a permanent religious accommodation from Pride-flag duties, removal of the suspension from his personnel record, and monetary damages.[1]
Captain Jeffrey Little sued Los Angeles County and several county supervisors in 2024 over a 2023 policy that required the Progress Pride flag at county facilities during June.[1] Little, who identifies as a Christian, says he requested an accommodation from raising or overseeing the flag, that the accommodation was granted and then revoked two days later, and that he removed several flags believing he was allowed to do so under the accommodation and flag-hardware rules.[1]
Los Angeles County contends Little was disciplined for unauthorized removal of government flags, not for his religious beliefs, and the county disputes an alleged remark that his beliefs "don't matter." Fox News The judge's partial rulings clear the path to a trial that will decide whether the county's actions violated Little's religious-rights claims.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Captain Jeffrey Little sued Los Angeles County and several supervisors in 2024 over a 2023 policy requiring the Progress Pride flag at county facilities during June.
- Little, a Christian, requested an accommodation from raising or overseeing the Pride flag; he says it was granted then revoked two days later.
- He was investigated and suspended for 15 days without pay after removing several flags, which he says he believed was permitted under his accommodation and flag-hardware rules.
- Los Angeles County argues he was punished for unauthorized removal of government flags, not his religious beliefs, and disputes an alleged remark that his beliefs 'don’t matter.'
- In the week before May 25, 2026, a federal judge issued a sealed ruling granting in part and denying in part both sides’ summary-judgment motions, clearing the case to proceed toward trial.
- Little seeks a permanent religious accommodation from Pride flag duties, removal of discipline from his record, and monetary damages.
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