LOS ANGELES, CA – Liberty Counsel filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of a longtime Los Angeles County civil engineer who was unlawfully denied a religious accommodation to abstain from tacitly endorsing the “LGBTQ Pride” flag at his workplace. Eric Batman, who has worked for Los Angeles County for 24 years, is suing the county and its Department of Public Works for refusing his request to work remotely full-time for the month of June while his workplace displayed the “LGBTQ Pride” flag.

Liberty Counsel represents Batman, currently a part-time remote employee, and seeks an injunction against his unconstitutional denial which is unlawful under Title VII, the First and Fourteenth Amendments, and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act.  The county has allowed other religious employees to work remotely for other reasons, such as Ramadan, but is discriminating against Batman for his Christian beliefs.

According to the lawsuit, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted policies in 2023 requiring all county departments to fly the “Progress Pride Flag” throughout June and explore ways to recognize “Pride” Month. In response, the Department of Public Works where Batman works began displaying the flag at its headquarters in Alhambra. In 2023, Batman successfully worked remotely in June during building construction, but was denied a religious accommodation to work remotely in both 2024 and 2025. Officials told Batman that his request conflicted with the county’s “inclusive and welcoming environment for all.” Instead of working remotely, officials suggested he simply use the “back door” or seek “mental health counseling” if the “Pride” flag caused him distress. Batman received the suggestion that his religious beliefs about human sexuality “may need counseling” as overtly hostile toward his religion.

In addition, the county did not engage in the interactive process required under Title VII and simply denied his requests.

Liberty Counsel concludes the county’s actions forced Batman to work in an environment that required him to violate his religious convictions, compelled him to “affirm a message with which he disagrees,” and subjected him to unequal treatment compared to employees of other faiths.

“[The County] provided neither accommodation nor tolerance of Batman’s religious beliefs,” reads the lawsuit. “Rather, they displayed overt hostility towards Batman by refusing to provide him an accommodation the law plainly requires.” 

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “Forcing employees to violate their faith in the workplace is offensive to the First Amendment. Senior Civil Engineer Eric Batman requested a reasonable religious accommodation with no undue hardship on the county, yet it was unlawfully denied without the required interactive process. The Constitution does not allow the government—or a government employer—to put citizens in the impossible position of choosing between their conscience and their livelihood. When the state compels employees to act against their sincerely held religious beliefs, it crosses a constitutional line that courts have repeatedly said cannot be crossed. Viewpoint discrimination is unlawful and violates the First Amendment and religious discrimination violates Title VII.”

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