Doug Carl, known for his community work on issues facing gay elders, has won a federal lawsuit alleging he was passed over for a Fulton County job because he is white and male.
A federal jury ruled Carl deserves $300,000 in back pay, the Atlanta Journal-Constiution reported today.
Carl served as Fulton County's deputy human services director. In 2010, he retired when his job was cut, according to the AJC. Carl had sued five years ago alleging that he applied for a position as a director but was passed over because the county, including Commissioner Emma Darnell, wanted to hire a black woman.
"Its been long five-year journey. It sounds cliche, but when justice prevails it's an amazing feeling.I'm ready to move on," Carl said in an interview with GA Voice. Carl now works with the state Division on Aging and teaches competency training on LGBT issues to healthcare and others who work with LGBT aging citizens.
"I feel complete vindication. It's been a long five-year journey to justice and I've never felt like relief like this before," he said.
The county plans to appeal.
Here's more from the AJC on the case, which the county disputes: