Christian Engineer Denied Work From Home During Pride Month Sues LA County for Religious Discrimination

Christian Engineer Sues Los Angeles County After Being Denied Religious Exemption During Pride Month

Eric Batman, a 24 year veteran civil engineer with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, has filed a federal lawsuit after being denied a religious accommodation to work from home during June, when the county flies the "Progress Pride Flag" at all government facilities.

The lawsuit, filed on March 12, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, names both Los Angeles County and its Department of Public Works as defendants.

Batman, a devout Christian, requested to work remotely during Pride Month, stating that his sincerely held religious beliefs prevent him from participating in a celebration his faith considers sinful. His attorneys noted that he holds convictions "based on the Bible, concerning sexuality, marriage, the family, and God's created order of male and female."

The accommodation he requested would not have disrupted the county's celebrations. In 2023, Batman successfully worked remotely during June while building construction was taking place. However, when he requested the same accommodation on religious grounds in both 2024 and 2025, the county denied his request both times.

Instead of granting the accommodation, county officials suggested Batman use the "back door" to avoid the flag or seek "mental health counseling" if the display caused him distress.

Forcing employees to violate their faith in the workplace is offensive to the First Amendment.

Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel, the Christian legal organization representing Batman, made this statement upon filing the lawsuit.

The complaint further alleges discrimination, noting that the county has granted similar remote work accommodations to employees of other faiths for religious observances such as Ramadan. The lawsuit cites violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendments, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and California's Fair Employment and Housing Act.

The LA County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved flying the Progress Pride Flag at all government buildings during June beginning in March 2023.

LA County Denies Christian Worker Remote Access Over Religious Beliefs While Allowing Others

Liberty Counsel, representing Batman in this case, is seeking an injunction against what it calls an unconstitutional denial of religious accommodation. Batman currently works as a part time remote employee for the county.

The case highlights a growing tension between government mandated diversity displays and the religious freedom rights of public employees who object on grounds of conscience.

The Crusader's Opinion

Let me get this straight. Los Angeles County will let an employee work from home for Ramadan, but the moment a Christian asks for the exact same accommodation during Pride Month, they tell him to use the back door or go get mental health counseling. That is not inclusion. That is targeted religious discrimination with a rainbow coat of paint.

Eric Batman did not ask the county to stop flying the flag. He did not demand they cancel their celebrations. He simply asked to do the same job, from a different location, for one month. And they said no. Then they had the audacity to suggest he was mentally unwell for holding his biblical convictions.

This is what "tolerance" looks like in practice: tolerance for everyone except Christians.

Take Action

• Support Liberty Counsel's legal defense of religious freedom at lc.org
• Contact the LA County Board of Supervisors at (213) 974 1411 and demand equal treatment for employees of all faiths
• Share this story with your church community and discuss what religious freedom protections exist in your workplace
• Support Christian legal defense through www.TheShepherdsShield.org
• Pray for Eric Batman and all Christians facing workplace religious discrimination