An employee of Blackhawks alleges that he was fired due to his homosexuality
Photo credit: Outsports
Chicago Blackhawks embroiled in controversy after firing gay PR manager.
In a developing story that intertwines sports management with civil rights, the Chicago Blackhawks find themselves at the center of a legal battle.
Anthony Filomena, a former PR manager for the Blackhawks and openly gay, alleges his dismissal was a case of discrimination, a claim that the team vehemently denies.
Filomena's termination followed shortly after he published a heartfelt piece on Outsports.com, celebrating Pride Nights and their personal significance.
The article expressed how these events reconnected him to the hockey world, a passion he felt distanced from. However, his tenure with the Blackhawks ended abruptly post-publication, leading to serious allegations from Filomena against the organization.
« Now Filomena alleges he was fired as the result of «possible sexual orientation discrimination» shortly after the Outsports article and has retained an attorney for possible legal action. »
The Blackhawks, however, offer a different perspective:
« a complete disregard to our policies, procedures, and clearly-documented expectations.» They say his being gay had nothing to do with his firing. The Chicago Blackhawks would not terminate an employee because of their sexual orientation,» Blackhawks communications manager Ben Fromstein said in an email response from the team to Outsports.
«In fact, prior to the issues noted below, the organization featured Mr. Filomena and a number of other employees during last year's Pride Month on our LinkedIn channel. His public accusations are insulting to the organization and the many employees, including several in senior leadership, who identify as LGBTQ+ and contribute to the Blackhawks and our sport every day. »
«In fact, prior to the issues noted below, the organization featured Mr. Filomena and a number of other employees during last year's Pride Month on our LinkedIn channel. His public accusations are insulting to the organization and the many employees, including several in senior leadership, who identify as LGBTQ+ and contribute to the Blackhawks and our sport every day. »
Filomena's dispute is not just about the firing but also concerns the reasons behind it. He argues that his involvement in LGBTQ+ initiatives and the article were factors in his dismissal, supported by his legal counsel's correspondence with the Blackhawks.
« The letter by attorney Josh Friedman, provided to Outsports, details several points of contention between Filomena and his immediate supervisors surrounding promotion events. It also alleges the Outsports article was the trigger for his firing. »
The organization, however, insists that Filomena's dismissal was due to "multiple ongoing violations of the company's policies, procedures, and the employee handbook over a period of six months," including attendance issues and insubordination, unrelated to his sexual orientation or the article.
Filomena's story reached a climax when, during a tense meeting, he was informed of his termination:
« I sit down and Jerry's like, �Anthony, this is your last day with the Blackhawks,» he remembered. «And I just looked at them and I said, �You guys have got to be kidding me.' And I started crying. »
This confrontation underscores a broader narrative, reflecting not only on the Blackhawks' internal policies but also on how sports organizations manage public relations and employee rights within the framework of societal values and legal standards.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the eyes of both sports and advocacy communities will undoubtedly be on the outcome, which could set precedents for how such cases are handled in the future.
| POLL | ||
17 JUIN | 62 ANSWERS An employee of Blackhawks alleges that he was fired due to his homosexuality Do you believe the Blackhawks discriminated against this ex-employee? | ||
| Yes | 15 | 24.2 % |
| No | 47 | 75.8 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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